As a longtime Barbie enthusiast and collector who has witnessed the evolution of these iconic dolls over the years, I must admit that the inclusion of some controversial characters in the recent “Barbie” movie was both surprising and delightful.
Although Barbie is widely admired across different generations, it has also sparked debate throughout its history. Not every mother desires for her daughter to mimic a teenage fashion icon, regardless of whether she grows up to be the President, an astronaut, or a rock star. Interestingly, even Ken, Barbie’s significant other and sometimes fiancé, hasn’t escaped from controversy either.
Throughout most of his life, Ken has taken after Barbie in many aspects, pursuing careers as a fashion designer, musician, and astronaut. However, at times, his style or demeanor has caused unease among consumers who view Barbie as a symbol of innocence. The instances that stand out the most are related to Sugar Daddy Ken and Earring Magic Ken. The latter was criticized due to an accessory hanging around his neck that appeared quite suggestive, while the former drew flak for its controversial name.
In the film “Barbie,” Greta Gerwig humorously references several well-known characters, including two that have gained notoriety: Sugar’s Daddy Ken and Earring Magic Ken. The former has been infamous for some reason, while the latter became embroiled in a public controversy.
Who Is Sugar Daddy Ken? A Brief History Of a Big Barbie Controversy
In 2009, Mattel’s doll named “Sugar Daddy Ken” stirred controversy due to its suggestive title. ABC News reported that while Mattel claimed the name was derived from a small white dog, consumers were well aware of the term “Sugar Daddy.” The limited edition doll was only available for approximately a year.
As a devoted fan, let me clarify something intriguing about Sugar’s Daddy Ken that many viewers may not have known: his name wasn’t associated with him being a potential play toy for children. Instead, it derived from his cherished pet dog. This doll was part of Mattel’s exclusive line of Silkstone dolls, designed with more refined materials than typical plastic toys. These figurines were primarily aimed at adult and teenage fashion enthusiasts, who make up a significant portion of the secondary Barbie market. They adore products that remind them of Mattel’s golden age of quality. In fact, Mattel confirmed this themselves when they stated to ABC, “At the end of the day, this collection is targeted toward adults.” Although the name does link back to the dog, people can interpret it as they wish.
Luckily, because of the success of the “Barbie” film, the updated version of Ken, Sugar’s father figure, hit the shelves again in 2023. While the new Ken came with a revamped wardrobe and hairdo (as shown), he retained his original charm.
Does Sugar Daddy Ken Appear in the Barbie Movie?
In 2023, Mattel intentionally modeled the redesign of their doll on the outfit and hairstyle that Rob Brydon’s character, Sugar’s Daddy Ken, sports in the “Barbie” movie. This means you might just spot this Ken in the film starring Margot Robbie. Although his appearance is brief, Gloria (played by America Ferrera) immediately recognizes him due to her position at Mattel and shows great enthusiasm. He promptly clarifies his name situation, saying, “I’m not a sugar daddy. This is Sugar, and I’m her daddy,” thereby putting an end to those rumors. However, Gloria is aware of the reason for his discontinuation.
In the movie, apart from their initial appearance, Sugar’s father Ken and his dog are not present in any other scenes. They don’t make a brief appearance even during the “I’m Just a Ken” dance or in the background of other scenes. However, their short cameo has certainly sparked excitement among nostalgia fans who recall the scene with Ken standing behind Sugar.
Barbie’s Controversial Magic Earring Ken and His ‘Adult’ Reputation, Explained
Although the doll Sugar’s Daddy Ken stirred up quite a fuss, there’s another doll whose controversy persists, with whispers suggesting it was removed from store shelves! Earring Magic Ken came equipped with earrings and a necklace, but it was his large, metallic ring-shaped pendant that really caught people’s attention. Although there are other trinkets attached to the pendant on Ken’s silver chain, viewed independently, it appears as though Ken is wearing … let’s just say an accessory associated with male vitality that we can’t explicitly name in a family periodical.
Mattel seemed unaware of the approaching controversy as they took pride in the stylish renovation of Ken. As Lisa McKendall, Mattel’s marketing communications manager, explained to the New York Times, “This is something we wouldn’t have considered a few years back. However, today, men are more commonly seen wearing earrings in everyday life. We aim to ensure Ken stays current.
Afterward, she openly refuted to the Chicago Reader that the necklace design was meant to resemble such an adult-themed accessory. However, the media buzz had already started, leading to a rumor that Ken was influenced by LGBTQ+ nightlife culture. Despite the whispers and stories suggesting a recall of the doll, Earring Magic Ken stayed available for sale for a whole year – which is usual for Mattel’s action figures – before being withdrawn from the market.
Does Magic Earring Ken Appear in the Barbie Movie?
In the “Barbie” movie, you might have spotted Earring Magic Ken sharing a scene with Sugar’s Daddy Ken, portrayed by Tom Stourton. This Ken character also introduces himself to Gloria, claiming his earring has magical powers. Whether these two Kens are romantic partners isn’t explicitly stated, but they appear together and seem to enjoy each other’s company in the movie.
It’s important to mention that Ken’s famous necklace, known for being associated with Earring Magic, is absent in his movie costume. This detail might be missed by younger viewers, but it’s something adults might pick up on when watching “Barbie.” Instead, a classic Barbie logo pendant on a chain has been substituted. However, Ken’s distinctive vest, another iconic element, was fortunately retained in the live-action adaptation!
Which Other Controversial Barbie and Ken Dolls Appeared In the Barbie Movie?
In the film “Barbie”, other famous doll characters make appearances aside from Earring Magic Ken and Sugar’s Daddy Ken. When Gloria and her daughter approach Kate McKinnon’s character, Weird Barbie’s house in search of Margot Robbie’s Barbie, they are both astonished and repulsed to encounter numerous other versions of them.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice some fascinating parallels between certain dolls from our childhood and their modern counterparts. For instance, there was this Skipper doll whose chest expanded whenever she lifted her arm – a design reminiscent of the original Growing Up Skipper (Erica Ford) released in 1975. Unfortunately, this innovative feature led to its discontinuation due to the controversial nature of her design.
Midge and Skipper have extensive backgrounds in the world of Barbie Dolls. For a long time, Skipper has been portrayed as Barbie’s younger sister, initially depicted as around 10 years old, then growing older into a young teen. The character has never been discontinued, and Mattel continues to manufacture adolescent Barbie dolls under the name of Skipper.
For a number of years, Midge was Barbie’s closest friend. Unlike Barbie, she wasn’t as glamorous but shared the same age and size with her fellow doll companion. In the 1960s, Midge was no longer a regular character due to the introduction of PJ, a younger, more trendy-looking doll that embodied flower power. Since then, Midge has made occasional appearances, being reintroduced as a playline character in the 1980s and marrying Alan in the 1990s. Despite their union when the Happy Family line was launched in 2002, the debate over her pregnancy prevented Midge from being featured in Mattel’s main product line. Since that time, she has primarily been used only in the company’s premium collectible items.
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2024-09-22 18:00