Aimee and Barbie in 2017
Source: barbiestyle / Instagram
January 13, 2021
Barbie Has a Girlfriend? Social Media Celebrates
Kevin Schattenkirk READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Social media is buzzing over whether Barbie has a girlfriend, according to Newsweek.
Earlier this week, a 2017 photo of Barbie and a female companion, both decked out in "Love Wins" T-shirts, unexpectedly went viral when Twitter user @kissevermore shared the photo and tweeted, "JUST LEARNED BARBIE HAS A GIRLFRIEND."
The photo, which was also shared on Instagram, indicated that the T-shirts were designed by Aimee Song, founder of Instagram's @SongofStyle, stating, "Proud to wear this "Love Wins" shirt with @songofstyle! Did you know that her exclusive t-shirts benefit different causes and non-profits? Such an inspiring initiative and fabulous few days I have spent with Aimee, she's a doll! ???? #barbie #barbiestyle"
On Monday, Song posted a photo of herself on Twitter, also clad in a "Love Wins" T-shirt – which was designed to benefit the Trevor Project – captioned "I am the girlfriend." It turns out, the doll was modeled after Song, a longtime ally of the LGBTQ community.
Barbie manufacturer Mattel hasn't confirmed that its iconic doll is, in fact, queer. But that hasn't stopped social media from celebrating.
Kevin Schattenkirk is an ethnomusicologist and pop music aficionado.
