Margot Robbie is now the real-life living breathing Mattle icon, Barbie! And turns out, that life in plastic isn’t as fantastic as it was thought to be since Barbie would be faced with some hard-hitting existential dread, that the trailer hints at. Although a Barbie can’t possibly be compared with a human being, people cannot help but do so. Therefore, while she was at it, many questioned why a Barbie doll is overtly sexualized throughout the ages despite being a children’s doll. Many on the internet agreed it to be wrong on so many levels, thus, Margot Robbie shared her take on the situation.
Not only that, but people also questioned the doll’s sexuality despite the presence of several Ken dolls in the trailer. In an exclusive interview with Vogue, Margot Robbie clears all the confusion and more.
Why is Barbie sexualized?
Margot Robbie dropped by Vogue, to answer some questions regarding the life everybody dreams of. The life of Barbie, the glamorous, fashionable, glittery life, everybody once in their life fancied has come under scrutiny time and again since its inception. While Barbie’s popularity endures, so too do the concerns about the sexualized nature of her image. The fashion icon, therefore, is often sexualized, with outfits and the way she is presented to the world. Speaking to Vogue, Robbie said,
“She is sexualized. But she should never be sexy. People can project s*x onto her,–Yes, she can wear a short skirt, but because it’s fun and pink. Not because she wanted you to see her b*tt.”
One of the primary concerns regarding Barbie’s sexualization lies in her exaggerated physical attributes. With her slim waist and long legs, Barbie’s body proportions often deviate from what is considered realistic or attainable for the average woman. Although Barbies have changed a lot with time, and now come in all shapes and sizes. She also stated, that her wearing a somewhat revealing outfit only to face value has the purpose to serve a look, and does not have the intention to ‘seduce’ people around her.
Margot Robbie clears the air about Barbie’s sexuality
Margot Robbie claimed, that Barbie simply logically cannot be sexualized and questions about her sexuality should not arise, since she doesn’t have the drive if one goes by the textbook definition. She explained,
“I’m like, ‘Okay, she’s a doll. She’s a plastic doll. 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.”
Also, adding to the child-like innocence that was hinted at in the trailer for the movie, also further reinstates she is nothing but a plastic doll. Thus, following that scene, many speculated the doll might be asexual. But the reality is, she is a perfect being, nothing more nothing less. Portraying the doll, is not as easy as it seems, since it’s devoid of any stereotypical human emotions, but the trouble in paradise starts when the doll starts experiencing such.
Thus, she is simply a doll, living her life in a perfect plastic world. Fans will have to wait till the movie is released to get the rest of the answers to their questions. The movie will be arriving on July 21st in theatres.
Source: Vogue
