Ryan Gosling has emphasized his "disappointment" at the fact that Margot Robbie, the star of Barbie, and the movie's director, Greta Gerwig were both snubbed from major categories in this year's Oscar nominations.
Gosling, who has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Ken in the iconic film, described it as an "understatement" to say he was "disappointed" that Gerwig and Robbie were not nominated in their respective categories.
"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," he started in his statement.
He then went on to say that while he was grateful, none of this would have been possible without the two women responsible for creating such a Box Office masterpiece, which became the highest-grossing movie of last year.
"...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," he continued. "No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius."
The 43-year-old actor then went on to say: "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."
He also added that despite Robbie and Gerwig not being nominated, he wants to celebrate other actors from the film, including America Ferrera, who got a nod for Best Supporting Actress for the movie, as well as "the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film."
Gosling's statement comes shortly after Mark Ronson also championed the pair for putting Barbie together, after he and Andrew Wyatt received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for their power ballad 'I'm Just Ken.'
Taking to Instagram, the British music producer posted a snapshot from the movie writing: "We salute Ryan for bringing everything to it. AND Margot Robbie because there is no 'just Ken', it’s Barbie AND Ken, she put this whole damn thing together and then gave a tour de force 'make you laugh one second and cry the next' performance that will go in the books."
He also praised Gerwig for "[delivering] a [sic] unprecedented kaleidoscopic vision of a warmer world that made us hurt from laughing while touching us at such a soulful level - and helped bring people back to the movies in droves while doing so. AND inspired all of us to do our best work ever."
American singer Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell have also been nominated in the same category for the Barbie soundtrack song 'What Was I Made For?'
Eilish also expressed her "deepest gratitude" to Gerwig and screenwriter Noah Baumbach. She also thanked Ronson and Wyatt for "weaving our song into the fabric and heart of this film so well."
The singer added: "And a special shout out to Margot Robbie for her incredible foresight as a producer and brilliant performance that resonated with us so profoundly when writing this song. We are truly honored. Thank you."
Despite the lead snubs, Barbie has been nominated for 'Best Picture'.
The Academy Awards are set to take place on March 10 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
