Greta Gerwig’s Barbie film, filled with Easter eggs for Barbie enthusiasts, has caused quite a stir due to a controversial cameo appearance by a discontinued doll named Sugar Daddy Ken. The film, a revisionist satire on toy corporation Mattel, features Margot Robbie as a self-aware Barbie residing in a vibrant Utopia surrounded by numerous Barbies and Kens. Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s screenplay includes several references to Barbie’s history, including a scene with Barbie creator Ruth Handler and discontinued dolls like Growing Up Skipper and Earring Magic Ken.
One of the dolls that attracted attention was Growing Up Skipper, which was designed to educate children about puberty. However, it faced backlash in the ’70s and was eventually discontinued as parents expressed concerns about the doll sexualizing young teenage girls. Another doll that caused controversy was Sugar Daddy Ken. Welsh actor Rob Brydon portrays Sugar Daddy Ken in the Barbie film, making a brief appearance at Weird Barbie’s house. But what is the story behind this peculiar doll?
Mattel announced the release of Sugar Daddy Ken in 2009, coinciding with Barbie’s 50th anniversary. Part of the Barbie’s Palm Beach line, Sugar Daddy Ken had a higher price tag of $82 and was officially launched in the spring of 2010. Compared to other Ken dolls, Sugar Daddy Ken had a slightly older appearance, with chic wardrobe choices and greying blonde hair. It was fitting for 58-year-old Rob Brydon to bring this character to life in Greta Gerwig’s movie.
Taking a closer look at Sugar Daddy Ken’s flamboyant wardrobe, it becomes clear that this version of Ken was depicted as an upper-class socialite, standing out from the Kens typically seen in casual beachwear. The doll’s green damask print blazer was reminiscent of a socialite from Slim Aaron’s iconic photograph titled Palm Springs Party. This photograph, taken in 1970, features partygoers, one of whom wears a similar blazer and white trousers, likely serving as inspiration for Mattel’s Sugar Daddy Ken. The doll was primarily marketed towards adult collectors, explaining the doll’s extravagant style.
Now, let’s address the controversy surrounding Sugar Daddy Ken’s name. Despite Ken being portrayed as ageless in the Barbie world, Sugar Daddy Ken appeared older than his fellow toys. However, the doll was never intended to be an actual sugar daddy. Instead, Mattel named him after his pet dog, Sugar. Each Sugar Daddy Ken doll came with a white West Highland terrier puppy and a pink leash, allowing Ken to be posed as if he were taking his dog for a walk. The confusion arose from the doll’s name, lacking an apostrophe and an s, leading people to interpret it differently.
The suggestive name of Sugar Daddy Ken became a marketing misstep for Mattel. This created backlash among consumers, leading to the doll’s discontinuation. Ultimately, Sugar Daddy Ken faced the same fate as Growing Up Skipper, with both dolls being criticized within a year of their release. As a result, the remaining Sugar Daddy Ken dolls are considered rare collectibles among Barbie enthusiasts, and Entertainment Earth, an online collectible retailer, lists the doll as unavailable to the public. However, with Rob Brydon’s surprising cameo in the Barbie film, interest in this discontinued Mattel product is likely to resurge. Greta Gerwig’s movie not only broke box-office records but also paid tribute to the unusual aspects of Barbie’s lore.
