Understand the six decades of ups and downs that surround Barbie and Ken’s relationship
Barbara Millicent Roberts and Kenneth Sean Carson, — or rather, Barbie and Ken — are the couple of fashionista dolls that have gained prominence in the different games played by children since they were created by Ruth It is elliot handlerthe co-founders of the Mattel toy company, in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
In addition to living great adventures in the imagination of the little ones for the last six decades, the duo also gained space on TV and in theaters, starring in films and animations, the most recent among them being the live-action entitled “Barbie”, which hits the big screen. on July 20th of this year, where the traditional versions of the puppets are interpreted by Margot Robbie It is Ryan Gosling.
But how did the two meet? Barbie and Ken broke up already? RECREIO gathered the answer to these and other questions below!
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
The relationship of the two lovebirds began shortly after Ken’s creation, since it is two years and two days that make the doll younger than Barbie, since the doll was launched on March 9, 1959 and he on 11 March 1961.
The beginning of the relationship was told by Mattel through a commercial released in 1961 — the first in which Ken and Barbie appear together —, where it is revealed that they fell in love on the set of recordings of one of their works for TV and instantly began dating, sharing from then on all the good times.
It can be said that the two lived the idealized “love at first sight”, because, even though there is information that Barbie and Ken were born in the same fictional city, that is, in Willows, Wisconsin, in the United States, the commercial’s narrative makes it clear that they had not crossed paths before then.
Curiosity: Barbie was inspired by the daughter of Ruth It is elliot handlerBarbara, and her boyfriend, Ken, is based on the girl’s brother, Kenneth, which for some makes the relationship between the dolls a little controversial, or at least curious.
The couple had their romance explored through collections, movies and drawings for 40 years, until something unexpected happens: Barbie and Ken separate!
THE END OF A ROMANCE OF DECADES
In February 2004, the breakup of the dolls gained space in the world’s largest communication vehicles, where it was exposed that there were “irreconcilable differences” between the couple, and that everything had come to an end, as Ken did not want to marry the girl. doll, so he became “just a friend” to Barbie.
Watch the announcement video:
Like other celebrities, their Hollywood romance has come to an end,” announced Russell Arons, vice president of marketing for Mattel, the doll’s maker, at the time. “It’s time to make better use of time. Alone”, said the executive in the statement echoed by the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo.
NEW BOYFRIEND
Still, the split was nothing more than a marketing ploy. That’s because, shortly after the announcement that the couple was no longer together, Mattel launched Cali (from California) Girl Barbie, who arrived accompanied by Blaine, an Australian surfer and plastic DJ, pointed out by some as the pivot of the separation. , as he became the doll’s new boyfriend.
Barbie’s new love didn’t last long, as two years later, in February 2006, Mattel confirmed that the romance between Barbie and Blaine had come to an end.
In addition, the end was marked by the return of Ken to the shelves, as the doll came up with a new look when released on March 1 of that year, as reported by Folha de S.Paulo.
THE COUPLE RETURN
As much as Barbie and Blaine’s breakup brought hope that Ken could win back the doll’s heart, it took a few years and a lot of effort for the former couple to share stories and romantic adventures again.
That’s because, in addition to revamping the look, Ken had to prepare the way to be able to hold Barbie’s hand again, something that gained a better perspective after the participation of the two dolls in “Toy Story 3”, a 2010 film, where the two meet. make a couple.
The return of Ken and Barbie was not made official at that time, as it was transformed into a campaign by Mattel close to the 50th anniversary of Ken’s creation, in 2011. As reported by G1, among the actions, the company confirmed at the beginning February of that year, that the doll would have an account on Twitter and Facebook to try to get back together with Barbie.
As a result, on February 14, 2011, during Valentines Day, Mattel announced that the couple had resumed their relationship, completing 12 years of re-dating this year!
Source: Recreio
