On January 23, Oscar nomination were announced. And although each and every nomination was earned and deserved in their own right, there were two very specific snubs that people can’t stop talking about.
While the Barbie movie was honored with eight Oscar nominations, two very important women were given the praise so many people thought they deserved; leading lady and producer Margot Robbie and the director of the film Greta Gerwig.
When it was revealed that neither Robbie nor Gerwig were nominated for Oscars, but Ryan Gosling, who played Ken, was, many people were outraged, especially given what the movie was really about.
Alongside Gosling, America Ferrera was also nominated and while both actors expressly deserved their nominations, they are speaking out in order to share their disappointment over the Robbie and Gerwig snubs.
In a statement shared by Gosling himself, he wrote, “I am extremely honored to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films.
“And I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m also incredibly honored and proud that it’s for portraying a plastic doll named Ken.
“But,” as Gosling who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor continued, “there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film. There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film.”
“No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius. To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement. No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius. To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.”
Gosling concluded his statement, saying, “Against all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture and they made history. Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees. Having said that, I am so happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film.”
Ferrera also expressed her disappointment while talking with Variety. “I was incredibly disappointed that they weren’t nominated,” Ferrera said after revealing she almost couldn’t believe it when she heard her name called for Best Supporting Actress. “There was a moment where I wasn’t sure if I had made it up. And then my phone started blowing up so I figured that I must have heard it right.”
As Ferrera continued, she admitted that “Greta has done just about everything that a director could do to deserve it. Creating this world, and taking something that didn’t have inherent value to most people and making it a global phenomenon. It feels disappointing to not see her on that list.”
As for Robbie, Ferrera thinks Robbie did such an incredible job making the role of Barbie look effortless that “perhaps people got fooled into thinking that the work seems easy.”
“What Margot achieved as an actress is truly unbelievable,” Ferrera added. “One of the things about Margot as an actress is how easy she makes everything look. And perhaps people got fooled into thinking that the work seems easy, but Margot is a magician as an actress in front of the screen, and it was one of the honors of my career to get to witness her pull off the amazing performance she did. She brings so much heart and humor and depth and joy and fun to the character. In my book, she’s a master.”
What do you think? Were you shocked Robbie was snubbed for Best Actress and Gerwig was snubbed for Best Director?