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Margot Robbie On The Over-Sexualization Of Barbie

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…

Margot Robbie poses for photos as she promotes the upcoming film "Barbie" during the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation

Margot Robbie poses for photos as she promotes the upcoming film “Barbie” during the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 25, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images

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."

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.

The Barbie movie hits theaters on July 21.

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling Skate In Neon Outfits On The Set Of ‘Barbie’

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling were snapped on the set of Greta Gerwig's Barbie in Venice Beach, California recently, and Twitter went wild when the photos were shared online. Margot's Barbie and Ryan's Ken wore matching neon skating outfits, all the way down to their yellow blades. See behind-the-scenes footage below:

Fans of the actors shared their thoughts on Twitter. Check it out below:

Grateful To Costume Dept.

AMAZING

CAMP

That Smile

We're Done When I Say We're Done

It's Giving

Margot's Voice

Literally Barbie

No Words

More Exciting Than The Met

Real-Life Barbie

She Ate

Queen

Can't Stop Smiling

Perfect Casting

All The Money In The World

Girl Dad

I'm Sick

Will Change Cinema Forever

Build That Hype!

Laila Abuelhawa is the Top 40 and Hip-Hop pop culture writer for Beasley Media Group. Being with the company for over three years, Laila's fierce and fabulous red-carpet rankings have earned her a feature on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!' Her favorite stories are those surrounding the latest in celebrity fashion, television and film rankings, and how the world reacts to major celebrity news. With a background in journalism, Laila's stories ensure accuracy and offer background information on stars that you wouldn't have otherwise known. She prides herself in covering stories that inform the public about what is currently happening and what is to come in the ever-changing, ever-evolving media landscape.