Eva Mendes Criticizes Attempts to “Shame” Husband Ryan Gosling for Portraying Ken
Eva Mendes Stands Up Against Criticism Directed at Husband Ryan Gosling for Portraying Ken in Barbie
Eva Mendes is offering unwavering support to her husband, Ryan Gosling, in response to the initial backlash he faced for his portrayal of Ken in the Barbie movie.
Despite Gosling earning global acclaim for his Oscar-nominated performance and the success of the hit song “I’m Just Ken,” some critics initially questioned his choice to embody the iconic doll character.
Mendes highlighted a Rolling Stone article from June 2022 with the headline, “Sorry to Be the One to Say It, but Ryan Gosling Is Giving Major Cringe as Ken in ‘Barbie.’” Taking to Instagram, Mendes expressed her pride, stating, “So proud of my man. So much hate when he took on this role… Despite all the #Notmyken ridicule and articles written about him, he created this completely original, hilarious, heartbreaking, now iconic character and took it all the way to Oscars. So beyond proud to be this Ken’s Barbie.”
America Ferrera, Gosling’s co-star in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, chimed in with agreement, commenting, “He is brilliant as Ken! Pulled off a triple somersault performance! We’re so lucky it was him, and I’m so grateful for the way he showed up to support all the women in this process!! He is a class act and insanely deserving and talented.”
Mendes and Gosling, who first met on the set of 2012’s The Place Beyond the Pines, are now married and share two daughters.
These affirming comments come on the heels of Gosling’s recent nomination for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Ken. However, this recognition has stirred controversy among Barbie fans, as Margot Robbie was overlooked for a Best Leading Actress nomination, and Greta Gerwig was not nominated for Best Director.
In response to the nominations, Gosling expressed both honor and disappointment, stating, “I am extremely honored to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists… But 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.” Gosling concluded by emphasizing the deserving recognition of their work, acknowledging their talent, grit, and genius.
