Ken is a doll and fictional character introduced by Mattel in 1961 as creative valentine’s gift for boyfriend counterpart of Barbie, who was introduced two years earlier. Ken was invented by Elliot Handler.
From 1961 to the debut of Superstar Ken in 1977 Ken had straight arms that didn’t bend. His head could only turn left and right. The first African-American male doll, Brad, was introduced in 1968, as the boyfriend of Barbie’s African-American friend, Christie, who was introduced in 1967. In 1993, “Earring Magic Ken” was released. The style of the doll was thought to resemble fashions and accessories worn by some segments of the gay community at the time, and “Earring Magic Ken” subsequently attained a cult following, becoming a collector’s item. Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end”, though Arons indicated that the duo would “remain friends”. In February 2006 however, a revamped version of the Ken doll was launched, though it was stated that his relationship with Barbie was still purely platonic.
In 2011, Mattel launched a massive campaign for Ken to win Barbie’s affections back. In October 2009, Mattel announced a new Palm Beach line which included a “Sugar’s Daddy Ken” doll aimed for adult collectors. The said line officially debuted in the spring of 2010. The line proved to be controversial, because of Ken’s suggestive-sounding name. In 2021, Mattel announced 15 new looks for Ken.
This included looks with different skin tones, body shapes and hair styles. Barbie underwent a similar makeover in 2020. Unrealistic body proportions in Barbie dolls, including Ken’s, have been connected to some eating disorders in children. Billy Flanigan appeared as Ken in “Disney’s Magical World of Barbie”. In the music video of Barbie Girl René Dif appeared as Ken.