CULTURAL CENTER OF CAPE COD

BARBIE

“It is the best day ever. So was yesterday, and so is tomorrow, and every day from now until forever.”

BARBIE, ICON

There are few celebrities so ubiquitous, universal, and beloved as Barbara Millicent Roberts and she has been a part of our collective lives for over sixty years. Better known to us simply as Barbie—like Madonna, Cher, and Kermit a single name is enough—she is an icon who continues to spread joy, inspiration, and delight to fans the world over.

Many wonder what the secret to her huge success is. Ever humble, Barbie says she doesn’t know beyond hard work, a desire to reach the top, and always trying to look “just right.” Her dedicated team known simply as Mattel—“I’ve never met them,” she says, “But I think they’re friends of my parents!”—manages everything she does. “They keep me young!”

Barbie grew up in Willow Wisconsin and when she left behind a comfortable and happy childhood to attend the Manhattan International High School in New York City, ambition was already grabbing. Such was her natural, and uniquely varied talents, success came quickly.

Born 1959, incredibly she made her first public appearance at the New York Toy Fair that same year and has enjoyed a multitude of inspirational careers since then. Pilot, firefighter, journalist, doctor, flight attendant, architect, dancer, athlete, astronaut, veterinarian, singer, teacher, chef, and dentist pepper her résumé. If that wasn’t enough, Barbie has often encouraged girls to explore STEM education by taking on roles to encourage them to work in science and technology. Computer engineer, video game developer, and robotics engineer, to name just a few. “Always leave things better than you find them,” she said in 2014. “You never know what you can do unless you try.”

Barbie would be the first to admit that, despite being “wonderful and perfect,” she couldn’t do it alone and her team selflessly ensure she remains a leading icon in the 21st century. Top fashion designers, renowned makeup and hair artists, elite couturiers, and specialist injection molding engineers work tirelessly to ensure she is always ready – for her newest fans, her oldest devotees, and her next career.

By changing her look with times and tastes she remains relevant and always ready for new trends and ideas. When asked how she keeps so young Barbie declined to comment. Instead, she lets her team do the talking and keeping everything “up to date.” Legs, hands, face, neck, hair, toes, chest, waist, knees, ears, booty, and teeth have been adjusted over the years, so she’s always smiling – “It’s impossible not to!” she said.

So, what’s next for Barbie? She looks as young as ever and, despite being made of plastic, remains full of energy and optimism for the future. “Listen to the beat of your heart, and keep on dancing,” she said.

“It is the best day ever. So was yesterday, and so is tomorrow, and every day from now until forever.”

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