To Margot Robbie, her latest acting role as Barbie is a feminist icon. Barbie is a character who was able do anything in a time when “women couldn’t even have their own bank accounts.” The actress opened up during Vogue‘s latest episode of the web series Life in Looks about how the iconic doll can “put on a suit and she’s a lawyer” or “put on a space helmet, and she’s an astronaut.”
Robbie, 32, said that when the doll launched in the late 1950s, it was unprecedented that Barbie “owned her own house” and “owned her own car,” especially when her “cute boyfriend” Ken “doesn’t have a house. Or a car. Or a job. Or any power,” she told the publication yesterday (May 24).
Anything But Sexual
Robbie called Barbie “authentically artificial” and “really fake,” helping little girls imagine themselves having “their own house, their own car,” and “their own career.” The actress believes Barbie inspired girls who held the doll and “had some sort of impact” on what they believed was possible for their futures.
Though Robbie’s Barbie has been called sexual, the actress told the publication that her character is anything but. “She’s a doll. She’s a plastic doll,” the Australian native said. “She doesn’t have organs. If she doesn’t have organs, she doesn’t have reproductive organs. If she doesn’t have reproductive organs, would she even feel sexual desire? No, I don’t think she could.” Though she admits the character is sexualized, she said, “But she should never be sexy. People can project sex onto her. Yes, she can wear a short skirt, but because it’s fun and pink. Not because she wanted you to see her butt.”
In the trailer, you can see that the characters are innocent. Ryan Gosling’s Ken asks Margot’s Barbie, “I thought I might stay over tonight,” to which Robbie’s character asks, “Why?” and Ken responds, “Because we’re girlfriend-boyfriend.” Barbie, confused at that answer, asks, “To do what?” After pondering a moment, Ken just says, “I’m actually not sure.”
RELATED: Amy Schumer Quit The Lead Role As Barbie Because of Shoes
Rolling Stone exclusively revealed today that Barbie: The Album will feature Ava Max, Charli XCX, Dominic Fike, Dua Lipa, Fifty Fifty, Gayle, Haim, Ice Spice, Kali, Karol G, Khalid, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, PinkPantheress, Ryan Gosling, Tame Impala, and the Kid Laroi. The compilation project releases on the same day as the movie. More artists will be announced as the album’s release date draws near.
EXCLUSIVE: @DUALIPA, @icespicee_, @charli_xcx, @lizzo, @NICKIMINAJ, @AvaMax, @pinkpantheress2, Ryan Gosling(!), @tameimpala, and more will appear on the @barbiethealbum soundtrack.
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 25, 2023
Details: https://t.co/qSJeh0cUaH pic.twitter.com/9tMj7GEEDy
The Barbie movie hits theaters on July 21.