Call it the Revenge of Ken.
After Margot Robbie’s Barbie exposed all of his “blond fragility” on the big screen in the summer blockbuster that brought the iconic Mattel doll to life, it’s “the man behind the tan” — as memorably Kenoughed by Ryan Gosling — who is having the last laughs for 2023.
“I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)” — a new holiday rendition of his signature number in Greta Gerwig’s box-office smash — dropped from the hunky heavens on Wednesday.
The yuletide twist arrives just five days before Santa will be delivering Barbies and Kens to little girls and boys all around the (snow) globe.
The “Kristmas” makeover of “I’m Just Ken” puts a sweeping, Phil Spector-esque spin on the song that was written by “Barbie” soundtrack producer Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. And the string-laden setting decks the ditty in seasonal splendor as Gosling ever-so-earnestly sings lines such as “Am I not hot when I’m in my feelings?”
Clearly still hopelessly devoted to his dream doll — who leaves him behind for the real world at the end of the film — Gosling ends with, “Merry Kristmas Barbie/Wherever you are.”
The “I’m a Ken” revamp comes ringing in with a performance video of the song featuring Ronson and Wyatt. Before he swings into song in the studio amid Christmas lights, trees and cookies, Gosling puts on some shades to “get into character.”
Gosling’s longtime partner, Eva Mendes, is even a fan.
“My Man and @iammarkronson making this so F good it’s not even funny anymore,” she wrote via Instagram. “So grateful to @iammarkronson for getting my man to make more music. Dead Man’s Bones is my favorite band ….when I first heard Ryan sing, MY HEART EXPLODED. More Ryan & Ronson musica por favor!”
The “Merry Kristmas Barbie” remix is just one of four versions of the song that is featured on “Ken the EP,” which was also released on Wednesday.
All this merriment is just the latest development in a boffo year for the whole “Barbie” world.
After the film topped this year’s box office, its soundtrack received multiple nominations for the 2024 Grammys last month.
Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” is up for Record of the Year, while the singer faces off against Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” for Song of the Year.
And four out of the five nominees for Best Song Written for Visual Media are from the “Barbie” soundtrack, with “What Was I Made For?” and “Dance the Night” joined by the Nicki Minaj/Ice Spice collab “Barbie World” and, yes, “I’m Just Ken.”
“Barbie” also leads the movie nominees for the Golden Globes on Jan. 7 with nine nods.
Clearly, the entire “Barbie” bunch is much more than Kenough.
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