Margot Robbie has chimed in on the controversy surrounding her Barbie nomination snub at this year’s Oscars. While many others rushed to praise the actress despite a lack of recognition, Robbie isn’t actually too beaten up about the lack of a nod. Instead, the Barbie lead is looking at the positive side of things.
“There’s no way to feel sad when you know you’re this blessed,” she said during a recent SAG-AFTRA discussion (via Variety).
Although many Barbie fans feel the film didn’t get the Oscar attention it deserves, it did manage to walk away with a respectable eight nominations. Those include Best Picture, Writing in an adapted screenplay, Production Design, Costume Design, Actress in a Supporting Role (America Ferrera), and Actor in a Supporting Role (Ryan Gosling). It also nabbed two Original Song nods for What Was I Made For? and I’m Just Ken.
“People’s reactions to the movie have been the biggest reward of this entire experience,” Robbie said. “Whether it’s seeing what people are writing online, or even just seeing how much pink I can see in this room right now…I’ve never been a part of something like this. Not like this. I’ve done comic book stuff and that gets a big reaction, but this felt very different. It still feels very different. And I can’t think of a time when a movie’s had this effect on culture. And it’s amazing to be in the eye of the storm.”
Robbie adds that it’s been “incredible” to see other members of the Barbie team receive their Oscar nominations. She continues, saying that they all “set out to do something that would shift culture, affect culture, just make some sort of impact. And it’s already done that and some, way more than we ever dreamed it would.”
While Robbie is far from hurt to see she isn’t up for Actress in a Leading Role, she does express disappointment that director Greta Gerwig isn’t up for Best Director.
“Obviously, I think Greta should be nominated as a director,” she said. “What she did is a once-in-a-career, once-in-a-lifetime thing. What she pulled off, it really is. But it’s been an incredible year for all the films.”
The Barbie lead is looking at the bright side as the 2024 Oscar presentation grows closer. However, her co-stars have stepped up to express their disappointment in the snubbing.
Gosling, for example, put out a statement on the matter. He explained that, while he is grateful for the nomination, it hurt to see Robbie and Gerwig not included in the Oscar love. At the time, he said, “But 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.”
In our 9/10 Barbie review, we called the film, “A masterful exploration of femininity and the pressures of perfection.”
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
