Fans are going wild over a lingering gaze between Margot Robbie and America Ferrera
BY ELLA PORTEOUS, IMAGE BY WARNER BROS
Barbie has always been a hit amongst the LGBTQIA community. Many cite playing with Barbie dolls as their first exploration of their sexuality, from making them kiss and marry, to engaging them in other spicier activities…
It is, therefore, no surprise that many LGBTQIA fans are longing for Barbie to be sapphic in Greta Gerwig’s live-action that comes out later this month.
Three weeks ago, The Kelly Clarkson Show released three exclusive clips from the film. However, one, in particular, has completely transformed sapphic Twitter. The final clip shows a long, passionate gaze being shared between Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Gloria (America Ferrera). Within minutes of the clip’s release ship edits and fan cams had been created, circulating the Twittersphere.
Many fans took to Twitter to argue that there is “no heterosexual explanation” for the longing look the characters give one another.
Fans have furiously compiled evidence that Gerwig’s Barbie will be sapphic, analysing footage from the trailer and interviews with the cast. One interview Margo did for Time has caught the attention of lots of pro-sapphic Barbie fans. Robbie states that Richard Dickson, the president of Mattel, flew to London to discuss a scene with Gerwig that he felt was “off-brand”. After watching the scene, Dickson’s mind was changed, and the scene was not cut. Many have speculated that this issue may be due to Barbie being a queer woman.
Many have also pointed out stereotypically queer aspects in the trailer. From Barbie blasting Closer To Fine by the Indigo Girls in her pink convertible, to Birkenstocks, to simply the presence of Kate McKinnon, all of these things have ignited a fierce cult following of sapphic fans.
This isn’t the first time fans have gotten excited over a queer Barbie. In 2017, Mattel posted a photo on Instagram of a Barbie doll wearing a ‘Love Wins’ tee shirt. In the image, she is sat next to a brunette Barbie in a matching top, who rocks a gold choker and matching rings. This photo went viral as fans speculated whether Barbie had left Ken and found a girlfriend. The image reappears every Pride month with fans praising Barbie for being a sapphic icon.
Despite so much evidence that suggests that Barbie (2023) could be a queer film, many fans are refusing to get their hopes up, fearing that this is just another display of Hollywood queer baiting.
Regardless of whether Barbie is sapphic or not, we know that the film is going to be a queer extravaganza. When the cast list dropped in April, we were so excited to see so many out and proud LGBTQIA actors featured. Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, Hari Nef, and Scott Evans will all be playing characters in the film. So many of these actors have played characters in defining LGBTQIA shows, such as Nicola Coughlan from Derry Girls, and Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, and Connor Swindells from Sex Education.
Barbie The Album also contains songs from artists beloved by the queer community such as Charli XCX, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Ava Max, and Dua Lipa, further adding to the excitement felt by LGBTQIA+ fans.
The cast and crew have happily embraced the love and support the film has received from queer fans, sending a Barbie float to the West Hollywood pride parade last month. Scott and Alexandra represented the Barbie cast, waving on the fabulously pink float adorned with disco balls and rainbows.
The Barbie film will be released in cinemas from the 21 July and whether it features a sapphic Barbie or not, we will be seated.
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