Fall 2023

Weiss, whose favorite doll as a child was a Mermaid Barbie with pink hair and a pink tail, says women’s reactions on social media have been nonstop since the film’s release, with many sharing that they feel seen after Ferrera’s speech (much longer than excerpted above). “There were women in the theater cheering,”Weiss says. “Our whole life we’ve been told to make space for men and to be as small as we can be. Barbie took back her space.” (Clockwise from top) Gerwig with Gosling; Stereotypical Barbie; Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon) asks Barbie to choose the Birkenstock over the high heel; Barbie and Ken set off for the Real World. 106 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 3 Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Photo: Jaap Buitendijk Photo: Jaap Buitendijk