Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling light up the screen as Barbie and Ken in the forthcoming Barbie movie. Directed by Greta Gerwig in all shades of pastel pink, this uplifting odyssey mashes up everything you love about the world's most famous doll – and contains more than a few surprises along the way.
Robbie brings the megawatt smile and A-list likeability to the title role while Gosling steals the show as the lunkheaded Ken. (For the record, that's all he is.) To celebrate the release of the movie, here are some fun facts about Barbie herself that you may not have known.
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'Barbie' is a variation on Barbara, the name of Barbie creator (and Mattel President) Ruth Handler's daughter
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Barbie's physical appearance was inspired by the German doll Bild Lilli, which was created in 1952
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Barbie made her debut on March 9th, 1959 at the American International Toy Fair in New York City
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The first Barbie commercial aired during the Mickey Mouse Club in 1959
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Barbie has had over 250 careers in her lifetime ranging from astronaut to journalist
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In a 1960s Random House book series, Barbie's parents were revealed to be called George and Margaret
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In 1967, supermodel Twiggy became the first celebrity to be immortalized as a Barbie doll
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Ken was named after Ruth Handler's son and first appeared in 1961 (yes, Barbie and Ken were inspired by real-life siblings)
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In 1963 Mattel added Barbie’s best friend, Midge, and in 1964 Barbie’s little sister, Skipper
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Barbie launched her first YouTube vlog in 2015
Enter the amazing world of Barbie at Cineworld from July 21st. Click the link below to book your tickets for the movie.
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