“He’s simply Ken,” however that doesn’t imply he doesn’t take pleasure in a great movie reference. For his or her efficiency of best-original-song nominee “I’m Simply Ken” on the 2024 Oscars, Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson paid tribute to Marilyn Monroe’s efficiency of “Diamonds Are a Woman’s Greatest Good friend” in Howard Hawks’s 1953 movie Gents Want Blondes. Like Monroe, Gosling donned a fuchsia pink ensemble and descended a staircase affected by tuxedo-clad males in a choreographic quantity. However it wasn’t a totally trustworthy homage: Weapons N’ Roses’s Slash joined in on the enjoyable with a guitar riff, after which Gosling let his fellow Barbie-mates take the mic.

Whereas the hit music didn’t find yourself successful the award—it went to fellow Barbie crooner Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell for “What Was I Made For?”—Gosling’s efficiency was definitely a spotlight of the evening. (As Emma Stone would later admit in her acceptance speech for finest actress, she ripped her costume jiving alongside.)

Whereas a lot of the Barbie press tour riffed on classic (simply see…any of Margot Robbie’s doll-inspired seems), it was refreshing to see Gosling’s second look outdoors of the Barbie universe. Deciding on a movie about blondes having extra enjoyable—and that includes considered one of Hollywood historical past’s most beloved musical numbers—was a superb alternative. The decision? Diamonds are a Ken’s BF, too!