When Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women) set out to direct Barbie — and write the screenplay with her partner, Noah Baumbach — she knew that LGBTQ+ inclusion would be a necessity. While actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling give life to the OG Barbie and Ken dolls, the film’s Barbieland is filled with Barbies and Kens that reflect the vibrant diversity of the real world — albeit a more colorful version with Dreamhouses, daily beach parties, and bops from divas like Lizzo, Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj, Charli XCX, and Ava Max.
“We are opening the doors to the Barbie universe,” Gerwig states in an email interview. “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.”
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
Out’s cover stars (and Barbieland residents), Hari Nef, Scott Evans, and Alexandra Shipp, all attest to the impact of the Mattel toy brand, which first launched in 1959 and has since grown into the most popular doll in the world. For many queer people, first encountering Barbie — her interchangeable accessories, her exaggerated femininity, her hunky boyfriend, Ken — would become a pivotal moment in their young lives. Barbie was a friend, a possibility, a glamorous vessel of pure fabulosity.
Of course, Barbie also has a problematic past. The prototype’s blond hair, blue eyes, and surreally thin physique are emblematic of the unrealistic beauty standards society imposes on women. But Gerwig knew that the doll was far more than pretty plastic. And she wanted to capture that complexity in her Warner Bros. feature film.
“Since Barbie has had a long history, we had to confront the criticisms head on,” Gerwig says. “We needed to get there before anyone else. Barbie has been equal parts painted a villain and a heroine. We point out and engage with the critics, and at the same time, we celebrate Barbie. She was the first adult doll people could play with. Barbie went to the moon before women could have credit cards. Barbie represents a lot of different things, but in a way, she was a stealthy advocate for women in the workplace and our achievements in society. There are definitely complications with Barbie, but it’s undeniable that she was at the vanguard of moving other things forward.”
HARI NEF, ALEXANDRA SHIPP, SHARON ROONEY, ANA CRUZKAYNE, and EMMA MACKEY as Barbies in Warner Bros. Pictures’ "BARBIE"
The Oscar-nominated director, now 39, also felt a connection to Barbie from a young age — though she didn’t have the easiest time attaining one. “My mom wasn’t sold on Barbie, so I actually didn’t get my own doll for a while,” she recalls. “But all the girls in my neighborhood had them, so I was able to play with them when I would go over to their houses, and then when they would get tired of them, I would get them as hand-me-downs. But I have a real sense memory of standing in Toys ‘R’ Us looking at Barbie dolls and loving the ones that were in the big boxes. The ones with the big hair. It’s a very vivid, visceral memory of Barbie and what she meant. Finally, one Christmas, my mom caved and got me one. I was so excited.”
Another woman would bring an adult Gerwig back into Barbieland: her star, Margot Robbie (Bombshell, Birds of Prey), who is also a producer of the film. Robbie “invited me on this journey,” Gerwig recalls. “I love her work as an actor, and when we met and talked, I was deeply impressed by her work and viewpoint as a producer. I thought that I would love to make something with her. When she approached me and Noah to write Barbie, I jumped at the chance. Barbie is something everyone knows, all around the world, and everyone has an opinion of her. I couldn’t imagine a richer subject to try and tackle than something that comes with so much feeling already.”
Experience the Barbie feeling more in the profiles of Nef, Evans, and Shipp. And don’t miss the Barbie movie, which comes out in theaters July 21.
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
