I Am Kenough

Editor's Note: This entry contains spoilers for Barbie (2023); read at your own caution.

About

I Am Kenough is a catchphrase that appears on a tie-dye hoodie worn by Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, in the 2023 Barbie movie. The film was released on July 21st, 2023 and the catchphrase began to inspire viral memes over the following days. In promotion of the movie, Mattel began selling tie-dye Sherpa hoodies with "I am kenough" written on them

Origin

Near the end of Barbie, Ken is seen wearing a tie-dye Sherpa hoodie embroidered with the phrase, "I am Kenough," used to symbolize Ken's growth throughout the film.^[1] The day the movie released on July 21st, 2023, people began discussing the hoodie online. For example, on July 22nd, TikTokers^[2][3] @xxitsjessiexx and @maysreadingagain posted videos about the hoodie, garnering over 1.3 million and 3.8 million views respectively in two days (shown below, left and right).

Spread

On July 22nd, 2023, music critic and Twitter^[4] user @theneedledrop posted two photographs wearing a pink outfit, writing, "i am kenough," garnering over 15,200 likes in two days (shown below).

That day, Twitter^[5] user @ShitpostRock responded to a tweet complaining about people praising Gosling's performance over America Ferrera's, writing, "It learned me that i do not need women. I am simply kenough," garnering over 11,000 likes in two days (shown below, left). On July 23rd, Twitter^[6] user @dyingscribe posted a meme using imagery from Barbie and Blade Runner under the caption, garnering over 3,200 likes in a day (shown below, right).

I Am Kenough Sweater

Following the release of the movie, Mattel^[7] began selling "I am Kenough" sweaters through their website as official merch for the film (shown below).

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References