1998 Birthday Party Barbie
Sources: Treasures Club, Ebay Listing
Product description
“I can blow up mylar balloons and party favor!
Let’s celebrate your birthday! We can have a party and invite all your friends! I come with 2 mylar balloons, a party favor and a cake for your special day! You can help me blow up my party favor! We can blow out the “candle” on the cake!”
This birthday Barbie came in three variations, and had a feature where her face mold was shaped to have a hole so she could blow up the small mylar balloons included in her package. She also came with a cake with a candle to be “blown” out, as well as a party favor. The box is encouraged to be bought as a birthday present, with the front of the box having a “To:” and “From:” label.
There are three versions of this doll, one blonde, one who is brunette, and one who is African-American (AA).
| Company | Mattel |
|---|---|
| Brand | Barbie |
| Type | Playline |
| Character | Barbie |
| Release Date | 1998 |
| Face Sculpt | Birthday Party (modified Steffie) |
| Body Sculpt | ©1966 Twist N’ Turn (modified) |
| Hair Type | Unknown |
| Height | 11.5″ |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue/Purple |
| Skin Tone | Unknown |
| UPC | 074299229053 |
| Mattel SKU | 22905 |
| Price | $19.99 |
Notes:
CONTENT WARNING
The following “Notes” section contains topics inappropriate for anyone under 18. This doll was involved in a minor controversy regarding her appearance, and this is discussed further in this section. Topics such as: adult film, sex, and other sexual innuendos. If you are under 15 or do not wish to read something containing these topics, refrain from reading any further or proceed with caution.
Reason for Controversy
This doll caused quite a controversy with the mold of her face, particularly the hole in her mouth. Most people perceived this to be a very “lewd” expression for Barbie, and insinuates something of a sexual manner. Despite the fact that its use is purely for the play factor of having a birthday party: blowing out birthday candles, and blowing balloons.
This doll’s infamy grew so much, that she even garnered the nickname “BJ Barbie.”
Relevant Article Quote
“On paper, 1999’s Birthday party Barbie* looked like the party doll of the future.
…But cheeky adults had to crash the party by throwing a fit over Barbie’s pursed lips. Likening her pose to that of adult film stars, parents were convinced that Barbie was blowing out more than just birthday candles, and jokes began flooding chain email letters across America about Barbie engaging in much of the same sexual activity that Earring Magic Ken and Bild Lilli had been erroneously accused of years earlier.”
(*The doll is technically a part of the 1999 “season,” but the box reads 1998)
–Koriander Bullard for HubPages (Sep 12, 2023)
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