Always #1 Ken forever 🙏
[Image ID: A screenshot of a Wikipedia article next to a photo of the Earring Magic Ken Doll, which is the article’s subject. It reads, “Mattel had conducted a survey of girls asking if Ken should be retained as Barbie’s boyfriend or whether a new doll should be introduced in that role. Survey results indicated that girls wanted Ken but wanted him to look ‘cooler’. The redesigned Ken was the result. Observers quickly noted the resemblance of Earring Magic Ken to a stereotypical gay man, from the pastel-colored clothes to the earring to the necklace, which was described as a ‘chrome cock ring’. Kitsch-minded gay men bought the doll in record numbers, making Earring Magic Ken the best-selling Ken model in Mattel’s history… The doll received news-media press, even making it to the cover of The New York Times Arts and Leisure section. The clothing choices led to speculation that Mattel toy designers had unknowingly taken inspiration for the doll from gay raves in LA or NY. The doll debuted in stores for around $11 (equivalent to $20.63 in 2021) and had completely sold out by the Christmas season, largely due to gay men buying the doll in droves.” …End Image ID]
