Alexa, play “Barbie Girl” by Aqua.
Barbie has been a longtime inspiration in pop culture, ever since the first doll revolutionized the toy industry back in 1959. From music to TV and film, the doll’s blonde hair and striking fashion sense has remained a constant in entertainment.
Flash forward to 2023, and a live-action Barbie movie is hitting theaters on July 21. The Greta Gerwig-directed film is set to star Margot Robbie as the iconic Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, and will feature appearances from Dua Lipa, Hari Nef, Emma Mackey, Will Ferrell, Michael Cera and more. The official synopsis notes that the film will follow the tale of the titular doll on a quest to find happiness “after being expelled from Barbie Land for being a less than perfect-looking.”
In celebration of the upcoming Barbie film, we’ve compiled a list of musicians who have dressed up as the doll at one point or another in their careers. See the photo gallery below.
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Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is a huge fan of Barbie (her fans are even called the Barbz), and she channeled her love for the iconic doll in her “Barbie Tingz” music video.
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Amy Poehler & Britney Spears
During a 2002 SNL skit titled “Inside Barbie’s Dreamhouse,’ Amy Poehler appeared as Barbie alongside Britney Spears’ Skipper.
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Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s 2008 track “Backwoods Barbie” included an accompanying cover photo in which the country superstar is seen lounging in hay in the back of a pickup truck, dressed in a cheetah print mini-dress and pink chiffon robe.
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Trixie Mattel
As her name suggests, drag superstar Trixie Mattel is not only a Barbie collector, but also uses the doll as inspiration for her famous look.
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Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton dressed in theme while attending Jeremy Scott & Moschino Party with Barbie in 2014, with her blonde hair making her a real-life version of the doll.
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Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves opted for life in plastic for the 2019 Met Gala theme, Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion.
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Rita Ora
In 2014, Rita Ora wore a Barbie-inspired look for ‘Death Of A Geisha’ hosted by Fran Cutler and Cafe KaiZen with Grey Goose, complete with a pink tiara.