Who knew Ken could be more than just “Ken?” The internet and the actual non-bot people behind it have been going absolutely bonkers ever since the release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. While people have easily given in to the pink-coded marketing behemoth of the film, not every participant is surely a Barbie mega-fan. Some are just people who enjoy fun and sparkles.
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- Ken Had A Full Name All This Time & No One Knew
- Was Ken’s Character Also Inspired By Kenneth’s Real Self?
Ken Had A Full Name All This Time & No One Knew
Mattel
Well, Barbie fans may be surprised to find out that the Ken doll has not only a middle name but also a last name, and he’s actually named after a real person. And guess what? Several Barbie dolls, including Barbie herself, are also named after real people.
Ken’s complete name is Kenneth Sean Carson, and his name ties back to the son of Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie and co-founder of Mattel. The doll that goes along with Barbie was first sold in stores in March 1961. This means he’s a Pisces for those who care about his astrological sign. It came out only two years after Mattel introduced the famous Barbie doll.
People wrote letters to Mattel expressing their concerns that Barbie was portrayed as a single woman. So, in response to these complaints, Mattel created Ken as Barbie’s male companion to be her counterpart.
Was Ken’s Character Also Inspired By Kenneth’s Real Self?
Twitter
The very first Ken doll wore a red bathing suit and cork sandals, and he looked like he was all set for a day at the beach right from the beginning. But the real person named Kenneth Handler, who inspired the creation of the Ken doll, said he was nothing like the laid-back beach-loving character named after him.
In 1989, Kenneth Handler told the Los Angeles Times that Ken is portrayed as a “Malibu” kind of guy who enjoys the beach and surfing, and represents the perfect American lifestyle.
On the other hand, Kenneth Handler himself didn’t do those things. He had different interests like playing the piano and watching movies with subtitles. He considered himself a nerd and was not very popular with the girls.
Twitter
The Ken doll is sold at a height of 12 inches, which is half an inch taller than his girlfriend, Barbie. Both of them come from the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin. Even though Barbie and Ken are known as a couple in toys and movies, in reality, they are actually brother and sister.
Barbie’s complete name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and she was named after Ruth Handler’s daughter, Barbara, who is Kenneth Handler’s sister.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn