The Barbie Oscars Snub: Will Women’s Contributions Ever Truly Be Recognized?

As you’ve likely seen by now, Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie weren’t individually nominated or recognized by the Oscars for their cultural contributions and work on the 2023 phenom, Barbie. It’s incredibly disappointing and disheartening for women in the media industry and beyond. At the same time, the consensus both online, and with my friends and colleagues in the industry, is “yup.” 

This one stung though. It demonstrates the uphill battle that women face on a daily basis to be recognized for their talent and hard work. 

While Box Office performance doesn’t equate to an Oscar nomination, Barbie grossed over $1.4B worldwide to date.

Barbie wasn’t a blockbuster hit because it’s an action film movie with heroes and an almost invincible supervillan. Barbie mattered to women. The message, the inclusivity, and the diversity mattered. For a moment in time, women felt seen in a patriarchal world that wants women to be small and continues to diminish women’s contributions. America Ferrara’s character delivered one of the most impactful statements I’ve heard in media, entertainment, or politics in years. Her nomination is well deserved and should be applauded.

We anticipated a light and fun Barbie movie and what we got was a message that brought tears to just about every woman in the theater. If you saw the movie in the theaters, you were greeted time and time again by other women with “Hi, Barbie.” In a world where too many of us feel increasingly isolated and alone, women came together around a toy that has demonstrated to young girls and women that we could be anything we wanted to be since it’s creation. 

What Greta, Margot and the full Barbie team created was culturally significant, built community, and delivered a remarkable message so many women felt to their core. Women dressed up as Barbie. Women bought millions of dollars worth of products from companies who collaborated with the movie and Mattel. On opening weekend, AMC had the best week in its 103-year history. It proved women are serious business.

But, it was pink, pretty, and all things girly. The production and promotion of the movie even caused a pink paint shortage. And, because it's fun and pink and not overly serious, the credit it deserves is instantaneously diminished. Being feminist and creating feminist roles and movies doesn't mean you have to embody masculinity or seriousness. Femininity is also feminist, but too many people think it's only feminist if a woman acts like a man. Remember, though, to not be too much like a man. That’s a turn off, too.

Ryan Gosling did an incredible job in his role as Ken. By pointing out that the two very women who made Barbie happen didn’t get nods, while the male lead did, doesn’t diminish his work. It’s not either or. It’s AND. And, it unfortunately proves the very point of the movie. 

Margot was every bit the perfection of Barbie that I imagined as a kid, and she deserved an Oscar nomination. 

Thank you Greta, Margot, America, Ryan and the entire Barbie team. We see you and we stand with you in our pink sweaters, dresses, jumpsuits, and sparkly shoes. 

We’ve got more work to do.