Ryan Gosling’s ‘I’m Just Ken’ Oscars Performance Had So Many Hidden References

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Big musical numbers at the Oscars are a risky proposition. Just ask Rob Lowe.

But Ryan Gosling belting “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie was…more than kenough. It was flawless, perfect, beyond. John Cena, you have been unseated as the most committed-to-the-bit man at the 2024 Oscars.

And the cameos? Incredible! Let’s break down every element of the Kenergy, and all of the references you may have missed.

The set:

Reminiscent of the iconic “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” set from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, the stage was awash in hot pink, and framed ’60s Barbie heads and empty champagne flutes were used as dance props.

I mean, even the suits are the same!

Overcome with Kemotion…

The hats are reminiscent of what Ken believes to be a cornerstone of patriarchy: Westerncore.

The choreography is similar to the big-budget movie musicals of yore, which also inspired Gerwig’s vision for Barbie.

The band:

Who’s that on guitar(s)? Oh, just “I’m Just Ken” writer Mark Ronson…and Guns n’ Roses’ Slash…and Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang!

The Kens (and cast):

See those four Kens in the front? That’s Ncuti Gatwa, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Scott Evans, who were all fellow Kens in the movie!

And here they are in the film, lest you forget:

Gosling began the number sitting behind Margot Robbie in the audience, and during his performance he held the mic out for both Robbie and costar America Ferrera, as well as writer-director Greta Gerwig.

The La La Land reunion:

Ryan Gosling also took a moment to duet with his favorite costar: Emma Stone. Stone, who took home an award for her performance in Poor Things at the end of the night, sang and danced alongside Gosling in La La Land, but that was actually their third collaboration. They previously showed off their fantastic chemistry in Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) and Gangster Squad (2013).

So of course Goz had to say hi to his best gal! Absolutely perfect that she got the line “and so am I” because yep, Emma is Ken too.

To see all the looks from the 2024 Oscars red carpet, and for more of Glamour’s live show coverage, click here.

Originally Appeared on Glamour