Despite landing an expected Oscar nod for his role as the dashing Ken in the blockbuster Barbie, Ryan Gosling expressed both elation and disappointment for the notable absence of both Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig for the categories of Best Actress and Best Director respectively.

In a bold statement, Gosling said, “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 being saying this, but I’m also incredibly honored and proud that it’s for portraying a plastic doll named Ken.

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.

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.

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.”

America Ferrera who received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress shared her sentiments with Variety stating, “I still haven’t really been able to get in my feelings because I’m still on like the top layer of ‘I can’t even believe that this is real.”’

On her colleagues Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie being snubbed she expressed saying, “I was incredibly disappointed that they weren’t nominated.”

Ferrera emphasised Gerwig’s outstanding directorial achievements and lauded Robbie’s masterful performance, stating, “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 a global phenomenon. It feels disappointing to not see her on the list.”

She further added “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 honours of my career to get to witness her pull off the amazing performance she did. She brings so much heart and humour and depth and joy and fun to the character. In my book, she’s a master.”

Barbie which was the biggest box office hit of last year clinched eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Producers David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, and Robbie Brenner have been nominated for Best Picture, while Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach received nods for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Online there was furore as many believed that Barbie was one of the biggest movies in 2023 that brought back cinema lovers to the theatres after the pandemic and was overlooked by the Academy.

The Oscars will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel as he returns for the fourth time and are set to take place on 10 March at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.