Barbie is still the biggest film of 2023, despite having only one Academy Award. It shows that it has cultural staying power. This is not just because Ryan Gosling, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor along with co-star America Ferrera for Best Supporting Actress, gave that Oscar-worthy performance.
Aside from Gosling’s eye-catching Ken, Barbie included a few doll creations that Mattel sincerely wished you had forgotten. Enjoyably notorious are many of these despised Mattel fashionistas. There’s the “Happy Family” version of Midge (Emerald Fennell), whose pregnant belly makes her resemble the chest-buster scene from Alien more than a real human woman, and Allan (Michael Cera), the lone misfit among a sea of Kens.
It would be imprudent of us to overlook the appeal of cosplaying Kate McKinnon’s Weird Barbie. Or fall in love with the stylish looks of Earring Magic Ken (Tom Stourton), who championed ‘gay rights’ and reportedly made a respectable profit doing it. However, none of the Ken variations played in theatres made audiences laugh as hard as Rob Brydon’s cleverly self-aware, confused, and foolish version of Sugar Daddy Ken. How in the world did this guy get past Mattel execs, and where on Ruth Handler’s pink planet Earth did he originate from? That is the enigma that begs to be answered.
Ken, Barbie’s sugar daddy, Has a Difficult Past.
Even if he has a cute white floof dog named Sugar, this Ken isn’t deserving of the moniker “Sugar’s Daddy.” Even though an ABC News article implies he was once ” Daddy,” he does a fantastic job on the sleek, charming, solo rendition of “Sugar.” The rest is fantastic, stylish history, but pop culture dropped that apostrophe hotter than a Snoop Dogg song from 2004. 2009 saw the release of Sugar Daddy Ken by Mattel as a limited edition doll specifically for the Barbie 50th anniversary line. It was purportedly designed with adult collectors in mind.
The manufacturer hailed this stunning example of seductive sophistication as “exemplifies fantastic Palm Beach fashion,” and it sold for an outrageous $82, thanks to capitalism. Since society wishes to review Palm Beach fashion as a whole, isn’t that right? Not at all. The origins of this Ken (as well as his provocative moniker with suggestive overtones) can be traced back to the 1970s “Palm Springs Party” photo collections by photographer Slim Aarons. Rich urbanites’ glamorous lives, complete with paisley-colored, checkerboard-patterned, bell-bottomed, and bouffant-haired splendour, were beautifully depicted by Aarons. Some people wore their swimsuits while napping on the beach next to gorgeous palm trees. Others gathered in backyards, dressed in vibrant clashing colours, with drinks in hand. (1970s fashion threw colour theory out the window after just one look.)
In one photo, a man converses with multiple women while wearing a bright green polka-dot suit jacket, crisp white trousers and white shoes—exactly like Sugar Daddy Ken’s stylish ensemble. In a bold move, Sugar Daddy Ken added a pink dress shirt instead of a tie, taking his look one step further than his inspiration. Not to be overlooked is the true life of the celebration: those gorgeous grey locks. That in and of itself implies that this Ken is older than his usual peers. Regarding Sugar, the Westie puppy for whom Sugar Daddy is (so-called) named, the dog is aware of her accessories; both her collar and leash are pink.
Why Did Mattel Permit the Creation of Sugar Daddy Ken?
A member of the Mattel design team decided to have some fun, and for whatever reason, management agreed to authorise the change (at least temporarily). Additionally, the public had fun at Sugar Daddy Ken’s expense. The controversial reception to the doll was highlighted in a 2009 ABC News article that quoted a blog post titled “Mattel Has Lost Their Minds.” “This is like one of those jokes Barbies art students do in college to criticise gender roles forced on children by their toys, like Hobo Barbie and Pregnant Trailer Trash Barbie,” shouted the author of this classic painting. But this time, Mattel succeeded. It’s confirmed. It has shaken my world.”
With an official New York Post statement, the noticeably cautious Mattel attempted to clear everyone’s doubts: “He’s Sugar’s Daddy,” the announcement read, “as a reference to the dog.” Michelle Chidoni, a representative for Mattel, added to ABC that the collection is ultimately intended for adults. Even if the doll’s name alludes to the dog, I believe that everyone will interpret it in their way.” Whatever the reason, the perfectly cuffed and coiffed dandy was discontinued after just a year and turned into a collector’s item. Thus, be cautious if you’re hoping to discover your own Sugar Daddy Ken (oops). Thus, be cautious if you’re hoping to discover your own Sugar Daddy Ken (oops). He’s not easy to come by. He was met with a foreboding notice on Entertainment Earth’s product page that said, “This item is cancelled and no longer available to order.” Oh no. I suppose this Sugar Daddy was simply insufficient.
Margot Robbie Is s great fan of Rob Brydon
Rob Brydon, a Welsh actor and comedian, plays the film version of Sugar Daddy Ken in Greta Gerwig’s box office smash. Brydon, who starred in the popular BBC series Gavin & Stacey, expressed his relief that his name Ken’s double entendre wasn’t deliberate. (People, the jokes write themselves!) Brydon also talked about his casting as a Barbie. Earlier, the actor taped a birthday greeting for the producer and
Margot Robbie, for her part, told CosmopolitanUK that she was committed to getting Brydon on board. Even though Brydon only makes a brief debut, his portrayal of Sugar Daddy Ken will likely outlive his cheap plastic counterpart and drive up the doll’s price on eBay.
For one of the creations that both Mattel and the imaginary Barbieland consigned to the “weird” house, it’s a suitably happy conclusion. Older Kens want to have fun, after all!
