Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s omission from the Oscar nominations list for Best Director and Best Actress for Barbie were the snubs heard around the world in the 2024 awards show race. While major think pieces have been written and many of the cast members have chimed in with their thoughts, including the nominated actors Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera, fans haven’t heard from Gerwig until now. 

The 40-year-old screenwriter and director of Barbie has a take that is surprisingly refreshing since it’s pretty hard to understand how the Academy membership thinks a Best Picture nominee, and an over $1.4 billion box-office success, basically directed itself. But Gerwig is taking it all in stride because she’s still thrilled at the film’s eight nominations. “A friend’s mom said to me, ‘I can’t believe you didn’t get nominated,’” she told Time in reference to her Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) nod with husband Noah Baumbach. “I said, ‘But I did. I got an Oscar nomination.’ She was like, ‘Oh, that’s wonderful for you!’ I was like, ‘I know!’” 

Now, that doesn’t mean she isn’t upset about Robbie’s omission from the Best Actress category. “Of course, I wanted it for Margot,” Gerwig added. “But I’m just happy we all get to be there together.” The close cast stood in solidarity when not all members of the core team were honored after the Oscar nominations were announced in January. Gosling shared his disappointment in a statement that explained, “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.”

He celebrated their innovation, and while he was “extremely honored” for the recognition of his work, it didn’t feel the same without Gerwig and Robbie getting their deserved due. “Against all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture, and they made history,” he added. “Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees.”

Ferrera also shared her dismay that Gerwig and Robbie weren’t honored the way they should have been for the heart they put into Barbie. “Greta has done just about everything that a director could do to deserve it,” Ferrera said to Variety. “Creating this world and taking something that didn’t have inherent value to most people and making it a global phenomenon. It feels disappointing to not see her on that list.” The only person who doesn’t seem disappointed is Gerwig, who is applauding her fourth career Oscar nomination all the way down the red carpet.

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