Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.; Yvonne Hemsey/Getty
HappyBarbieday!The long-awaited film is finally here, and if you want a little Barbie cheat sheet before you head to the theater to take inGreta Gerwig’s dreamy pink picture, we’ve done the work for you. Here, a look at the high-achieving Barbies that have actually been sold on toy store shelves, and how they compare to their movie star counterparts.
HappyBarbieday!
The long-awaited film is finally here, and if you want a little Barbie cheat sheet before you head to the theater to take inGreta Gerwig’s dreamy pink picture, we’ve done the work for you. Here, a look at the high-achieving Barbies that have actually been sold on toy store shelves, and how they compare to their movie star counterparts.
01of 18Margot Robbie’s Barbie Is EverythingWarner Bros.; MattelIn her striped swimsuit and white cat-eyed sunglasses, Margot Robbie’s look harkens all the way back to the famed Barbie doll’s debut in 1959. The first Barbie was styled as a “teenage fashion model”: her look paid tribute to the Old Hollywood glamour of 1950s icons like Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth.With her red lips and flouncy blonde ponytail, Robbie’s recreation of the retro toy is unmistakable.
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Margot Robbie’s Barbie Is Everything
Warner Bros.; Mattel
In her striped swimsuit and white cat-eyed sunglasses, Margot Robbie’s look harkens all the way back to the famed Barbie doll’s debut in 1959. The first Barbie was styled as a “teenage fashion model”: her look paid tribute to the Old Hollywood glamour of 1950s icons like Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth.
With her red lips and flouncy blonde ponytail, Robbie’s recreation of the retro toy is unmistakable.
02of 18Issa Rae’s Barbie Is PresidentWarner Bros.; MATTELIn the 2023 film, Issa Rae’s character is president, but in real life, Barbie has beenrunning for office since 1992. During her first campaign, the feminine figurine was sold with a patriotic inaugural ball gown and a skirt suit option (for her in-office affairs).The Mattel-made politician continues to evolve with every election year: in 2004, Barbie got a pantsuit makeover (as pictured), and two Barbies ran on an all-female ticket in 2016. During the 2020 presidential race, the toy company released afour-doll Campaign Team setwith a Black Barbie candidate, a campaign manager, a fundraiser and a voter.
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Issa Rae’s Barbie Is President
Warner Bros.; MATTEL
In the 2023 film, Issa Rae’s character is president, but in real life, Barbie has beenrunning for office since 1992. During her first campaign, the feminine figurine was sold with a patriotic inaugural ball gown and a skirt suit option (for her in-office affairs).
The Mattel-made politician continues to evolve with every election year: in 2004, Barbie got a pantsuit makeover (as pictured), and two Barbies ran on an all-female ticket in 2016. During the 2020 presidential race, the toy company released afour-doll Campaign Team setwith a Black Barbie candidate, a campaign manager, a fundraiser and a voter.
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Emma Mackey’s Barbie Is a Physicist
In her stylish, one-shoulder dress, Emma Mackey’s Barbie self likely didn’t come straight from the lab. However, considering various Barbies’many accomplishments, winning a Nobel Prize in physics is well within the scope of her capabilities. While there’s no single real-life doll to match Mackey’s character, Mattel has produced severalscientifically inclinedfigures, including anastrophysicist Barbieand a line of Barbies made in the likeness offemale leaders in STEM.
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Dua Lipa’s Barbie Is a Mermaid
05of 18Hari Nef’s Barbie Is a DoctorWarner Bros.; MATTELHari Nef’s iridescent pink ensemble shows just how far doctor Barbie has come since the plastic lifesaver was initially sold in 1973. Thisearly iterationof Barbie, M.D. wore teal scrubs and a matching surgical mask for her first foray into medicine. For duties outside of the operating room, the doll came with a white lab coat, a stethoscope, a head mirror and even a miniature framed medical school diploma.
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Hari Nef’s Barbie Is a Doctor
Hari Nef’s iridescent pink ensemble shows just how far doctor Barbie has come since the plastic lifesaver was initially sold in 1973. Thisearly iterationof Barbie, M.D. wore teal scrubs and a matching surgical mask for her first foray into medicine. For duties outside of the operating room, the doll came with a white lab coat, a stethoscope, a head mirror and even a miniature framed medical school diploma.
06of 18Nicola Coughlan’s Barbie Is a DiplomatWarner Bros.; MATTELNicola Coughlan’s character is keeping the peace and looking great while doing it, just like the actual diplomat doll and the real woman on whom she’s based. In 2021, Mattel created a Barbie version of Julie Bishop, the first woman to serve as Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.According to the toy manufacturer’sofficial announcement, Bishop has been described as “the first Australian politician to take fashion seriously.” The statement details how the trailblazer “formalized a partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Fashion Chamber to promote Australian fashion, nurture Australian fashion designers, and connect Australian fashion stylists and creators and designers with counterparts overseas.”
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Nicola Coughlan’s Barbie Is a Diplomat
Nicola Coughlan’s character is keeping the peace and looking great while doing it, just like the actual diplomat doll and the real woman on whom she’s based. In 2021, Mattel created a Barbie version of Julie Bishop, the first woman to serve as Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.
According to the toy manufacturer’sofficial announcement, Bishop has been described as “the first Australian politician to take fashion seriously.” The statement details how the trailblazer “formalized a partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Fashion Chamber to promote Australian fashion, nurture Australian fashion designers, and connect Australian fashion stylists and creators and designers with counterparts overseas.”
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Ana Cruz Kayne’s Is a Supreme Court Justice
A press release announcing the 2019 career doll shared the company’s hope to see more gavel-wielding women in the future: “Barbie is taking the stand as a Judge to inspire girls to explore judicial careers with the hopes that one day they will sit on the bench and make important decisions that can change the world for the better,” said Mattel in their statement.
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Alexandra Shipp’sBarbiecharacter isn’t necessarily based on any one accomplished author in particular, though Mattel did add aMaya Angelou dollto its Inspiring Women series in 2021.
09of 18Sharon Rooney’s Barbie Is a LawyerWarner Bros.; MATTELAs lawyer Barbie, Sharon Rooney’s character is blazing a new trail for the franchise. Mattel has previously produced business-savvy dolls, like the 1999Working Woman Barbie, the 1992Business Executive Barbieand the (fairly outdated)1963 Career Girl Barbie, but the closest thing to a lawyer figurine is theElle Woods Barbie. Dressed in all pink, the plastic depiction of Reese Witherspoon’s underdog protagonist was made in 2003, when the sequelLegally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blondepremiered. The dolled up attorney even came with a mini version of her beloved pooch, Bruiser.
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Sharon Rooney’s Barbie Is a Lawyer
As lawyer Barbie, Sharon Rooney’s character is blazing a new trail for the franchise. Mattel has previously produced business-savvy dolls, like the 1999Working Woman Barbie, the 1992Business Executive Barbieand the (fairly outdated)1963 Career Girl Barbie, but the closest thing to a lawyer figurine is theElle Woods Barbie. Dressed in all pink, the plastic depiction of Reese Witherspoon’s underdog protagonist was made in 2003, when the sequelLegally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blondepremiered. The dolled up attorney even came with a mini version of her beloved pooch, Bruiser.
10of 18Ritu Arya’s Barbie Has a PulitzerWarner Bros.; MATTELAgain, Ritu Arya’s prize-winning role might not be based on any one Barbie, but her character isn’t the first doll to claim a Pulitzer.Ida B. Wellswas one of the real-life heroines to take toy form in Mattel’s 2021 series of Inspiring Women Barbies.
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Ritu Arya’s Barbie Has a Pulitzer
Again, Ritu Arya’s prize-winning role might not be based on any one Barbie, but her character isn’t the first doll to claim a Pulitzer.Ida B. Wellswas one of the real-life heroines to take toy form in Mattel’s 2021 series of Inspiring Women Barbies.
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Emerald Fennell’s Doll Is Midge
Warner Bros.; Getty
Midge was actually part of the Mattel franchise long before to her time with child,first appearing in 1963as a friend of Barbie’s.
12of 18Ryan Gosling’s Ken Is … Just KenWarner Bros.; MattelThe actor’s ultra-blond hair and tanned skin resembles a few different Ken dolls since the male counterpart first hit shelves in 1961, but one vintage version stands out as a possible plastic twin. On-screen Ken’s cool, coastal vibe matches that of the “Sun Lovin' Malibu” iteration manufactured in 1979. Both Barbie boyfriends glow in bright turquoise outfits, though their clothes pale in comparison to both guys' sets of piercing, ocean-blue eyes.
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Ryan Gosling’s Ken Is … Just Ken
The actor’s ultra-blond hair and tanned skin resembles a few different Ken dolls since the male counterpart first hit shelves in 1961, but one vintage version stands out as a possible plastic twin. On-screen Ken’s cool, coastal vibe matches that of the “Sun Lovin' Malibu” iteration manufactured in 1979. Both Barbie boyfriends glow in bright turquoise outfits, though their clothes pale in comparison to both guys' sets of piercing, ocean-blue eyes.
13of 18Michael Cera’s Doll Is AllanWarner Bros.; DAVID HECKER/DDP/AFP via GettyLooking fresh in a collared striped shirt, Michael Cera makes for the perfect Allan, who was first introduced as “Ken’s buddy” in 1964.
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Michael Cera’s Doll Is Allan
Warner Bros.; DAVID HECKER/DDP/AFP via Getty
Looking fresh in a collared striped shirt, Michael Cera makes for the perfect Allan, who was first introduced as “Ken’s buddy” in 1964.
14of 18Simu Liu’s Ken Is Another KenWarner Bros.; MAttelSimu Liu’s version of Ken is, characteristically, not particularly distinguishable from his fellow Barbie boyfriends. His outfit does remind us of the times when Ken’s been dressed in a tank top, though.
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Simu Liu’s Ken Is Another Ken
Warner Bros.; MAttel
Simu Liu’s version of Ken is, characteristically, not particularly distinguishable from his fellow Barbie boyfriends. His outfit does remind us of the times when Ken’s been dressed in a tank top, though.
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Kate McKinnon’s Barbie Has Seen Better Days
Warner Bros.; Joshua LOTT/AFP via Getty
16of 18Ncuti Gatwa’s Ken Is Ken, AgainWarner Bros.; MattelHe might play just another run-of-the-mill Ken doll, but Ncuti Gatwa’s cowboy hat and guitar calls one vintage version to mind. This Ken looks a lot like Barbie’s boyfriend in theGrand Ole Opry Country Duet setmade in 1999.
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Ncuti Gatwa’s Ken Is Ken, Again
He might play just another run-of-the-mill Ken doll, but Ncuti Gatwa’s cowboy hat and guitar calls one vintage version to mind. This Ken looks a lot like Barbie’s boyfriend in theGrand Ole Opry Country Duet setmade in 1999.
17of 18Kingsley Ben-Adir’s Ken Is Ken, TooWarner Bros.; Mattel/Newsmakers/GettyKingsley Ben-Adir’s costume doesn’t seem to take direct inspiration from one Ken doll specifically, but his tropical, summery shirt reminds us how much the plastic guy loves the beach. In 1987, Mattel released aCalifornia Dream Kengeared up for surf, sand, sun and lots of fun.
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Kingsley Ben-Adir’s Ken Is Ken, Too
Warner Bros.; Mattel/Newsmakers/Getty
Kingsley Ben-Adir’s costume doesn’t seem to take direct inspiration from one Ken doll specifically, but his tropical, summery shirt reminds us how much the plastic guy loves the beach. In 1987, Mattel released aCalifornia Dream Kengeared up for surf, sand, sun and lots of fun.
18of 18Scott Evans’s Ken Is (You Guessed It) KenWarner Bros.; MATTELScott Evans’s outfit appears to pay tribute to the several cowboy Kens produced over the years. While his shirt nods to Barbie’s ties to Malibu, the white hat could have roots in 1993, when Mattel released theWestern Stampin’ Kendoll.
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Scott Evans’s Ken Is (You Guessed It) Ken
Scott Evans’s outfit appears to pay tribute to the several cowboy Kens produced over the years. While his shirt nods to Barbie’s ties to Malibu, the white hat could have roots in 1993, when Mattel released theWestern Stampin’ Kendoll.
source: people.com
