Toymaker Says 'Romance Has Come to an End,' But They 'Will Remain Friends'

NEW YORK (Feb. 12) - Just like J.Lo and Ben, the romance is over for Barbie and Ken.

After 43 years as one of the world's prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up. The couple's "business manager," Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time - apart."

"Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end," said Arons, who quickly added that the duo "will remain friends."

Arons denied that there was any truth to rumors that the breakup was linked to the Cali (as in California) Girl Barbie, arriving in stores now. To better reflect her single status, Cali Barbie will wear board shorts and a bikini top, metal hoop earrings, and have a deeper tan.

This new style already has attracted a new admirer, Blaine the Australian boogie boarder.

Barbie - the most popular fashion doll in the world, according to toy maker Mattel - met Ken on the set of a TV commercial in 1961, and they have been inseparable ever since.

Arons hinted Wednesday that the separation may be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married. All those bridal Barbie dolls in toy chests around the globe are really just examples of Barbie's wishful thinking, he explained.

Another possible factor is Barbie's career. The doll who was "born" Barbie Millicent Roberts in 1959 has been everything from a rock star to military medic, and she's currently marketed in more than 150 countries. According to Mattel, every second, three Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.

So where does that leave Ken? Said Arons: "He will head for other waves."


02/12/04 11:17 EST



:lol:

Awww, I liked Ken. *boos Blaine* :lol:

:lolol: skitzo :lolol:

I think those people have too much time on their hands...or the fumes of the Barbie factories are getting to them :lol:

I am not going to ask. Do these people play with the Barbies they sell or something?

I am not going to ask. Do these people play with the Barbies they sell or something?
hahahha :lolol:

Most likely :lol:

Can they just break them up like that?

im sad now :lolol:

I thought that was the funniest and most sad thing I've ever read. Funny because, well, I think we all know why it's funny. But sad, because those people are older than me and are still playing with the dolls. :rofl: Priceless.

haha good point :hehe:

*bemusedly* And I thought we were supposed to have grown out of that...:hehe:

I find that sadly hilarious..or hilariously sad. :lol: :rofl: :hehe:

Thats kind of weird and pointless :lol: But I guess it gives them some publicity..

What I've always thought was really odd about the whole Barbie and Ken thing is that the people the dolls were originally named after were sister and brother. I read this in some kids' book a while ago; the inventors of Barbie were a married couple who owned Mattel or something, and their teenage daughter Barbie was the inspiration for the "fashion doll" because they thought it might be something she'd like to play with; apparently they were sad she didn't like baby dolls anymore. Their son was named Ken.

all they are doijng is going to bring something new so they cna make more money and when it stops they will bring ken back and make more money so pretty much they are just ^^^^^^^^ everyone out of money.

Barbie is like Carrie Bradshaw, she'll always be single

Alrighty then!

oh my gosh... I love how they made it so dramatic... *gasp* it is like romeo and juliet all over again... oh m' dear. :lol: But at least they will still stay friends... 0_o

Yeah... I think they spend way to much time with dolls

Apparently this split-up did absolutely nothing for sales, so it sucks to be them. :lol:

I thought that was the funniest and most sad thing I've ever read. Funny because, well, I think we all know why it's funny. But sad, because those people are older than me and are still playing with the dolls. :rofl: Priceless.
LOL

:rofl: ken doesn't want to get married eh?
all i can say: :rofl:

The new barbie sounds weird. :lolol:

i thought Barbie and ken were married. Oh well i guess i was wrong. That's so :hehe: :lolol: :rofl:

hehehe:)