1993
The case of Earring Magic Ken shows how marketing and focus groups can inadvertently create a kitsch classic. Mattel found this out the hard way. So Ryan Gosling recently stunned the world with his Ken look for the live-action Barbie movie and depending on how you see it, this may or may not be your worse nightmare. Barbie was at the height of her popularity in the early s.
The true story of Mattel accidentally releasing a super gay
Earring Magic Ken, also known as " Gay Ken " and " Fey Ken ", [1] is a model of the Ken doll introduced by Mattel in as a companion to its Earring Magic Barbie figure, one of five dolls in the Earring Magic Barbie line. [2][3]. But her boyfriend is a bit bland, a true dork best known for wearing satin tuxedos. The doll was called Earring Magic Ken , which is the absolute best name for an accidentally gay doll. 
Barbie’s All
The doll rocketed off the shelves, particularly because gay men, including Savage, hurried out to get their hands on one. Earring Magic Ken became the best-selling Ken doll of the early 90s due to its showy element. They succeeded so well that the doll officially called Earring Magic Ken was more popularly known as Gay Ken. But the doll seemed determined to prove the joke right.
That time Mattel accidentally made Ken gay
But pulling Earring Magic Ken from shelves wasn’t Ken’s last brush with queerness. When Barbie and Ken broke up in , many fans joked Barbie’s former boyfriend had come out of the closet. Mattel has been manufacturing its Barbie dolls since Shortly thereafter, it began producing dolls of Barbie's boyfriend, Ken.
How Barbie's Boyfriend Ken Became an Accidental Gay Icon
One thing in particular gay people singled out about Ken’s outfit was his necklace, which neither the box nor Mattel’s executives seemed sure of the function of at the time of the doll’s release. Gay people sure as hell did though and hundreds of gay commentators were quick to point out the the necklace was clearly a cock ring. . The Time Barbie’s Ken Accidentally “Came Out” Of The Closet
In February, , Mattel announced a split for Ken and Barbie, with Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, saying that Barbie and Ken “feel it’s time to spend some quality time – apart Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end”, though Arons indicated that the duo would “remain friends”. He also hinted that the separation might be. . Earring Magic Ken
The Melbourne Age reported in that Barbie’s boyfriend: “has finally come out of the closet.” After surveys revealed girls found Ken somewhat dated, Mattel tried to make him ‘cool’. They succeeded so well that the doll officially called Earring Magic Ken was more popularly known as Gay Ken. “The newest Ken Doll – Earring Magic Ken – is dressed in a purple nylon vest and. . The History Behind Barbie‘s Ken
Before seeing Barbie, in theaters July 21, find out how Ken became the most iconic boy toy in history. Read more: Our cover story on Barbie. .