What is the story about?
The famous Mattel Ken doll is turning 65 this year. The dolls were first sold in 1961 and have taken different shapes and forms. The most successful and spectacular one being the one essayed by Ryan Gosling in the
Barbie movie that came out three years ago.
An official post about the doll on Instagram read- "After 65 years, Ken’s ready to explore a new era by trying 65 new things. Where should he begin?"
More details about the doll
Ken's real name, which may surprise even longtime fans, is Kenneth Sean Carson. The doll was named after Kenneth Handler, the son of Mattel co-founders Ruth Handler and Elliot Handler, according to a report in Time magazine.
The famous 1961 ad
The ad said, "It all started at the dance. Barbie, the famous teenage fashion model doll by Mattel, felt that this was to be a special night. And then it happened. She met Ken, and somehow she knew that she and Ken would be going together."
The voiceover added, "So now, Mattel brings you Ken, Barbie’s boyfriend, with a complete wardrobe of perfectly tailored clothes of unmatched quality. Now, Ken and Barbie met for lunch at school, go to fraternity parties and just relax together."
The Barbie backlash
Before Shakira, many people had called out the film. Podcaster Matt Walsh condemned it as “the most aggressively anti-man, feminist propaganda fest ever put to film.” Bill Maher later slammed the film as “man-hating.”
Barbie’ revolves around the central character, the titular doll Barbie (or more accurately, the Stereotypical Barbie), embarking on a voyage of self-exploration into the real world. The film stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the lead roles.
An official post about the doll on Instagram read- "After 65 years, Ken’s ready to explore a new era by trying 65 new things. Where should he begin?"
View this post on Instagram
More details about the doll
Ken's real name, which may surprise even longtime fans, is Kenneth Sean Carson. The doll was named after Kenneth Handler, the son of Mattel co-founders Ruth Handler and Elliot Handler, according to a report in Time magazine.
The famous 1961 ad
The ad said, "It all started at the dance. Barbie, the famous teenage fashion model doll by Mattel, felt that this was to be a special night. And then it happened. She met Ken, and somehow she knew that she and Ken would be going together."
The voiceover added, "So now, Mattel brings you Ken, Barbie’s boyfriend, with a complete wardrobe of perfectly tailored clothes of unmatched quality. Now, Ken and Barbie met for lunch at school, go to fraternity parties and just relax together."
The Barbie backlash
Before Shakira, many people had called out the film. Podcaster Matt Walsh condemned it as “the most aggressively anti-man, feminist propaganda fest ever put to film.” Bill Maher later slammed the film as “man-hating.”
Barbie’ revolves around the central character, the titular doll Barbie (or more accurately, the Stereotypical Barbie), embarking on a voyage of self-exploration into the real world. The film stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the lead roles.
