Out's Barbie Cover Shoot: Go Behind the Scenes

Out got to play dress-up with a few of the dolls from the Barbie film.

In June, LGBTQ+ actors Hari Nef, Scott Evans, and Alexandra Shipp arrived at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles to model lewks and discuss the Barbie movie's inclusive casting as part of Out's July/August cover story.

"It’s not always a bunch of fam on set. The diversity you saw walking into these rooms was just, it was unmatched," Evans said in the BTS footage captured by Santiago Bisso.

"Most of the time, I’m the only queer person," Nef said. "It felt safe being a part of such a diverse cast in Barbie." Added Shipp, "We’re so used to being the minority that it’s really beautiful to have each other and we were being completely authentic to ourselves."

Shipp and Nef play Barbies in the Universal Studios blockbuster, which debuted in theaters this weekend. Evans portrays a Ken.

LGBTQ-inclusive casting was always part of the plan, as director Greta Gerwig said in the cover story. “We are opening the doors to the Barbie universe,” Gerwig stated. “There’s no way we could have told this story without bringing in the LGBTQ+ community, and it was important for us to represent the diversity that Mattel has created with all of the different Barbies and Kens that exist today.”

Enjoy the BTS footage below.

This cover story is part of the Out July/August issue, out on newsstands July 4. Support queer media and subscribe — or download the issue through Amazon, Kindle, Nook, or Apple News.

ALEX in RAISA VANESSA Dress DAVID YURMAN, MISHO Rings CUYANA Earrings; SCOTT in GUCCI Jacket DIOR Shirt GUCCI Scarf SIEDRES Pants LOUBOUTIN Shoes; HARI in RODARTE Dress DAVID YURMAN Ring STUART WEITZMAN Shoes

Photographer KIM NEWMONEY @kimnewmoney
Digitech & BTS Stills ASH MARTINEZ @ashislikesocool
Grip & Lighting ADHAM ELNASHAI @adham9621
Videographer SANTIAGO BISSO @santiagobisso
Props TIFFANY LUKE @tlukesss
Venue SMASHBOX STUDIOS @smashboxstudios

Scott's Stylist DANIELA ROMERO @daniela_viviana
Scott's Hair & Makeup JOSHUA LEE STINNETT @joshuastinnett

Hari's Stylist CHRIS HORAN @chrishoran20
Hari's Assistant Stylists GREER HEAVRIN @greerheavrin SANAM CELINE @sanamceline
Hari's Hair SAMI KNIGHT @samiknighthair
Hari's Makeup ALEXANDRA FRENCH @alexandraafrench

Alex's Stylist ALEXANDRA MANDELKORN @mandelkorn
Alex's Hair KIM KIMBLE @kimblehaircare

Alex's Makeup DANA DELANEY @danadelaney