DISCLAIMER: These interviews took place prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. When was the last time you played with a Barbie? Your instinct may be to laugh this off. Barbies are for kids after all. What Margot Robbie is getting at, however, is the sort of nebulousness of who Barbie really is. More than a doll, she’s come to represent a collection of social norms, pressures and expectations. Ahead of Barbie’s release on July 21st, we spoke to Margot Robbie, Issa Rae, Greta Gerwig and more about the massive impact this one doll has had on pop culture. From her origins as an offshoot of a German novelty doll to Mattel’s current efforts at inclusivity, Barbie’s history is a complex one. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie recognizes that, examining different perspectives of the doll–whether good or bad. Is she a revolutionary feminist icon that taught girls to dream? Is she a piece of plastic that set toxic beauty standards for decade? Is she both, somehow? Or neither? These are the questions Barbie inspires and, honestly, the answer is never a clear one. We’re tackling what Barbie means and how her past can continue shaping our future. So let’s dig into just how Barbie has always been more than just a toy! #IGN
