I'm shocked and appalled!
Feb. 13th, 2004 12:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
silversolitaireBarbie and Ken 'Splitting' After 43-Year Romance, Mattel Says Couple Will 'Remain Friends'
The Associated Press
NEW YORK Feb. 12 — Just like J.Lo and Ben, the romance is over for Barbie and Ken. After 43 years as one of the world's prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up. The couple's "business manager," Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time apart."
"Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end," said Arons, who quickly added that the duo "will remain friends."
Truth be told, the announcement was prompted by the fact that Mattel is releasing the Cali (as in California) Girl Barbie, arriving in stores now. Ken will still be in the picture only now he's "just a friend," Mattel claims.
Whatever. The important news is that to better reflect her single status, Cali Barbie will wear board shorts and a bikini top, metal hoop earrings, and have a deeper tan.
This new style already has attracted a new admirer, Blaine the Australian boogie boarder.
Barbie the most popular fashion doll in the world, according to Mattel met Ken on the set of a TV commercial in 1961, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Arons hinted Wednesday that the separation may be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married. All those bridal Barbie dolls in toy chests around the globe are really just examples of Barbie's wishful thinking, she explained.
Another possible factor is Barbie's career. The doll who was "born" Barbie Millicent Roberts in 1959 has been everything from a rock star to military medic, and she's currently marketed in more than 150 countries. According to Mattel, every second, three Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.
So where does that leave Ken? Said Arons: "He will head for other waves."
Blaine?!? Isn't Blaine like... a teen? >_>; But I always thought Blaine was the most handsome one of the lot. Poor Ken, dumped in plasticland. I hope he gets a girlfriend soon. Alan always had such a better life. Granted, he vanished from the public eye for years after his marriage to Midge, but at least he's happy! *g*
EDIT:
Official Mattel press release
The Storybook Romance Comes To An End
For Barbie And KenThe Break-Up of the Millennium for the "Doll" of a Couple
MALIBU, Calif. (February 12, 2004) - After more than 43 years together, Hollywood's quintessential "doll" of a couple, Barbie® and Ken®, have decided to spend some time apart. Although Barbie® has befriended some of the world's most famous celebrities, from popular boy bands to super secret agent spies, Ken® always remained her #1 sweetheart. After all, Ken® has been Barbie® doll's biggest supporter for more than four decades, by her side from her early career as a teen fashion model to her recent turn as movie starlet. Their relationship was so revered that other successful celebrity pairings were often dubbed "Barbie® and Ken®."
The legendary romance of Barbie® and Ken began when they met on the set of their first television commercial together in 1961. Since then, their relationship has played out much like a Hollywood fairytale. Barbie® and her beau have captured the essence of romance so perfectly with their replications of classic characters such as Scarlett and Rhett ("Gone with the Wind") and Romeo and Juliet ("Romeo and Juliet") to more quirky roles such as Bond and Bond Girl ("James Bond") and Lily and Herman Munster ("The Munsters.") More recently, the dynamic duo played Arwen and Aragorn from "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." The picture-perfect pair's talent and love for one another can also be seen in three consecutively successful No. 1 movies: "Barbie™ of Swan Lake," "Barbie™ as Rapunzel" and "Barbie in the Nutcracker.™"
"Barbie® and Ken® have always been an extraordinary couple with so much on- and off-screen chemistry," said the pair's business manager, Russell Arons, Vice President Marketing, Mattel. "In fact, they just finished wrapping their fourth movie together, 'Barbie™ as The Princess and the Pauper,' which debuts this fall. And now they feel it's time to spend some quality time -- apart."
Since making her worldwide debut in a bathing suit on the Malibu shores in 1959, Barbie® doll has gone on to become a pop culture phenomenon, but not without her leading man cheering for her. Now that she's newly single, however, Mattel is marking the major transition with a whole new carefree and independent look reminiscent of her California roots. Sure to turn Barbie® doll's world upside down, her sassy and fun "Cali Girl™ doll" look debuts this Spring with engaging storylines, trendy accessories and great fashions that extend beyond swimsuits.
Although their future is yet to be set in "cement," one thing is for certain - Barbie® and Ken® will always remain the best of friends.
The Associated Press
NEW YORK Feb. 12 — Just like J.Lo and Ben, the romance is over for Barbie and Ken. After 43 years as one of the world's prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up. The couple's "business manager," Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time apart."
"Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end," said Arons, who quickly added that the duo "will remain friends."
Truth be told, the announcement was prompted by the fact that Mattel is releasing the Cali (as in California) Girl Barbie, arriving in stores now. Ken will still be in the picture only now he's "just a friend," Mattel claims.
Whatever. The important news is that to better reflect her single status, Cali Barbie will wear board shorts and a bikini top, metal hoop earrings, and have a deeper tan.
This new style already has attracted a new admirer, Blaine the Australian boogie boarder.
Barbie the most popular fashion doll in the world, according to Mattel met Ken on the set of a TV commercial in 1961, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Arons hinted Wednesday that the separation may be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married. All those bridal Barbie dolls in toy chests around the globe are really just examples of Barbie's wishful thinking, she explained.
Another possible factor is Barbie's career. The doll who was "born" Barbie Millicent Roberts in 1959 has been everything from a rock star to military medic, and she's currently marketed in more than 150 countries. According to Mattel, every second, three Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.
So where does that leave Ken? Said Arons: "He will head for other waves."
Blaine?!? Isn't Blaine like... a teen? >_>; But I always thought Blaine was the most handsome one of the lot. Poor Ken, dumped in plasticland. I hope he gets a girlfriend soon. Alan always had such a better life. Granted, he vanished from the public eye for years after his marriage to Midge, but at least he's happy! *g*
EDIT:
Official Mattel press release
The Storybook Romance Comes To An End
For Barbie And KenThe Break-Up of the Millennium for the "Doll" of a Couple
MALIBU, Calif. (February 12, 2004) - After more than 43 years together, Hollywood's quintessential "doll" of a couple, Barbie® and Ken®, have decided to spend some time apart. Although Barbie® has befriended some of the world's most famous celebrities, from popular boy bands to super secret agent spies, Ken® always remained her #1 sweetheart. After all, Ken® has been Barbie® doll's biggest supporter for more than four decades, by her side from her early career as a teen fashion model to her recent turn as movie starlet. Their relationship was so revered that other successful celebrity pairings were often dubbed "Barbie® and Ken®."
The legendary romance of Barbie® and Ken began when they met on the set of their first television commercial together in 1961. Since then, their relationship has played out much like a Hollywood fairytale. Barbie® and her beau have captured the essence of romance so perfectly with their replications of classic characters such as Scarlett and Rhett ("Gone with the Wind") and Romeo and Juliet ("Romeo and Juliet") to more quirky roles such as Bond and Bond Girl ("James Bond") and Lily and Herman Munster ("The Munsters.") More recently, the dynamic duo played Arwen and Aragorn from "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." The picture-perfect pair's talent and love for one another can also be seen in three consecutively successful No. 1 movies: "Barbie™ of Swan Lake," "Barbie™ as Rapunzel" and "Barbie in the Nutcracker.™"
"Barbie® and Ken® have always been an extraordinary couple with so much on- and off-screen chemistry," said the pair's business manager, Russell Arons, Vice President Marketing, Mattel. "In fact, they just finished wrapping their fourth movie together, 'Barbie™ as The Princess and the Pauper,' which debuts this fall. And now they feel it's time to spend some quality time -- apart."
Since making her worldwide debut in a bathing suit on the Malibu shores in 1959, Barbie® doll has gone on to become a pop culture phenomenon, but not without her leading man cheering for her. Now that she's newly single, however, Mattel is marking the major transition with a whole new carefree and independent look reminiscent of her California roots. Sure to turn Barbie® doll's world upside down, her sassy and fun "Cali Girl™ doll" look debuts this Spring with engaging storylines, trendy accessories and great fashions that extend beyond swimsuits.
Although their future is yet to be set in "cement," one thing is for certain - Barbie® and Ken® will always remain the best of friends.
