Keep Calm: Triple Chin Plus-Size Barbie Isn’t Real

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Artist-Created Plus-Size Barbie

Artist-Created Plus-Size Barbie

An image of a triple chin-having plus-size Barbie has been causing quite an uproar.

Posted on Plus-Size-Modeling.com’s Facebook page, the image originates from a contest on Worth1000.com , a daily creative competition site.


Though criticism is being aimed at Mattel, the Barbie was actually created by artist bakalia , who won a 2011 contest called “Feeding Time 9.”

While over 36,000 people Liked bakalia’s Plus-Size creation on Facebook, now that the image has reached networks like Twitter, many have taken issue with the doll’s extreme size.

With all the beautiful curvy models (e.g. Ashley Graham ) a doll could be inspired by, some wonder why Barbie can’t be “thick” without the chins, and others would rather see an “average” sized doll.

Plus-Size Model Ashley Graham vs Plus-Size Barbie

Plus-Size Model Ashley Graham vs Plus-Size Barbie

“Nothing wrong with a curvy Barbie….real women have curves, show girls it’s ok to have meat on their bones, but the double chins are a little much!! ” said one commenter Facebook .

Another comment reads , “How about a doll that is average sized? Not unachievable thin, or over weight?”

But an average Barbie was already created by artist Nickolay Lamm , based on CDC measurements of an average 19-year-old woman.

Normal Barbie by Nickolay Lamm

Normal Barbie by Nickolay Lamm

Both Normal and Plus-Size Barbie re-ignite a longer debate over what’s considered a healthy body image for women and girls, what qualifies as “beautiful,” and what young girls should be looking up to — if anything at all. Thoughts?

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