Barbie Land in Toronto: Kens Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu walk the pink carpet

A part of downtown Toronto was transformed into Barbie Land on Wednesday night to promote the much anticipated new movie “Barbie.”

Canadian actors Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu, who play different versions of the doll Ken in the film, took over #Kenada as they walked the pink carpet at 600 King St. W.

The historic building was given the “Barbie” treatment as hundreds of fans attended the invite-only event. Gosling and Liu took the stage to talk about the film before they walked the press line for interviews.

Gosling said it was incredible to be back in Canada and thanked the fans. When asked onstage what Ken’s real-life accessory would be, he paused and said, “Timbits.” It doesn’t get more Kenadian than that.

“Seismologists have been studying this for a while. There is a huge well of Kenergy in Canada,” Gosling said. Liu agreed and added, “It’s an epicentre.”

When they were asked what the fans need to know about each of their Kens, Liu brought the house down with laughs. “I won’t name any names, but one of the Kens in the movie can backflip. And one of the Kens cannot. And that’s the most important thing I want you to know about our Kens,” he teased as he looked at Gosling.

They also awarded one fan a grand prize of a trip for two to Los Angeles with tickets to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, a one-year supply of NYX Cosmetics and a signed Kenada surfboard, which both Gosling and Liu signed onstage.

Warner Bros. Canada transformed the five floors of the venue, offering complimentary Barbie and Ken makeovers in a Barbie-fied beauty bar, a chance to explore Ken’s Mojo Dojo Casa House and the pink sands of Kenada Beach.

There were also photo opps for attendees, who were almost all dressed in various shades of pink, including stepping into a Barbie box, a #Kenada pink rose photo booth and pictures that could be printed on a cookie. One fan made an exact replica of an outfit Margot Robbie sports in the film, while Gosling spotted cowboy Ken and beach Ken in the room.

Directed by Greta Gerwig, the movie follows Barbie (Robbie) and Ken (Gosling), who are having the time of their lives in the seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

“Barbie” is in theatres July 21.

Marriska Fernandes is a Toronto-based entertainment reporter and film critic. She is a freelance contributor for the Star’s Culture section. Follow her on Twitter: @marrs_fers

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