Ryan Gosling reveals how iconic I'm Just Ken Oscar's performance almost didn't happen

Viewers who managed to stay awake during the thrilling overnight broadcast of this year's Academy Awards ceremony will already be well aware that Ryan Gosling's provided one of the evening's most hotly-discussed highlights.

For those who need a reminder, the widely-adored actor and total heartthrob took to the stage to perform his legendary ballad 'I'm Just Ken' from the 2023 blockbuster, Barbie, in which he played Margot Robbie's male plastic doll counterpart.

All eyes were previously on the cast of Barbie prior to the Oscar's back in March, after both lead actress Margot and director Greta Gerwig were sensationally snubbed from this year’s nominations.

So, you can only imagine fans joy when it was revealed that actor Ryan would be belting out the track at the big-name soiree.

And following his almighty performance - which had members of the audience stood on their feet singing along - viewers had nothing but kind words to heap upon the star.

"I’m sorry but Ryan Gosling is absolutely eating his performance," one fan penned on social media at the time.

Another went on: "Do u know what, i always thought ryan gosling was a delight but this barbie business has made him ever better imo. he’s just such a cool dude."

IMDB/Warner Bros

"Ryan Gosling is the GOAT," a third wrote.

This week, however, the La La Land star and father-of-two has admitted he was almost tempted to pull out of the eagerly-anticipated performance on the night.

Speaking on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, 43-year-old Ryan confessed he felt uneasy about the prospect of performing live due to the unpredictability.

"100 percent no," he recalled of his initial verdict. "There’s a lot of ways that could go wrong."

Ryan added, however, that he was eventually persuaded to perform by his two daughters, Esmeralda and Amada, both of whom he shared with The Place Beyond The Pines co-star wife, Eva Mendes.

He revealed that, after bringing the two tots to his dress rehearsal, they teased: "Dad’s Ken-ning again."

Ryan continued: "It was their interest in Barbie and their disinterest in Ken that sort of started all of this. It’s really been a team effort, and they were on the film and they came to set when I filmed the number.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

"It’s also been like a lot of this has been no context for them, it’s just a lot of fake tan stains around the house."

We're very grateful your daughters were able to convince you, Ryan.