Excerpt from Parade Magazine
“Ken Turns 50 — Guess who’s about to get his AARP card in the mail! The perpetually smooth-chested, all-American boy wonder Ken (ne Ken Carson) hit the big 5-0 on March 11. But don’t expect to catch him on the golden oldies circuit just yet–he’s far too busy with his own Bachelor-esque reality TV show, Hulu’s Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend, a Facebook page, and even a Twitter account. And he’s won Barbie back after a seven-year breakup. The couple officially reunited on Valentine’s Day with this message to the world: “We may be plastic, but our love is real.” Born in 1961 (two years after Barbie), the original Ken was a skinny teen in red swim trunks, sporting a crewcut and underdeveloped pecs and selling for $3.50. Since then, he’s had his share of fashion ups and downs. Among the least attractive models was the ’70s-era hippie-esque Now Look Ken, which had him rocking shoulder-length hair. We’re guessing the latest version will be a crowd-pleaser, though. Mattel has just introduced Sweet Talkin’ Ken, with a built-in microphone to record up to five seconds of, well, whatever you whisper in his ear. Who knows what the next 50 years will bring? –Nancy C. Bilyeau”
Parade magazine