Each teaser and trailer that’s dropped for the Barbie movie has added to the huge mass of online conversations about the film, all of which has contributed to the incredible anticipation that’s been building in the shadow of the film’s July release.
The first teaser, which came out just prior to Christmas, was a tongue-in-cheek homage to a sci-fi classic, and the second revealed a ream of exciting news about the film, like just which other stars would be appearing alongside the leads Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The main trailer, released around a month ago, was also packed full of pitch-perfect references to the Barbie world, and jokes that we know played on the famous doll’s universe.
There was one particular gag that struck a chord with those who watched the trailer, as it appeared that it could be a hint at a mystery the movie would tackle. Robbie’s titular character is asked “Where does Ken stay?” to which she replies pretty emphatically “I don’t know.” While most would dismiss this as a simple joke about the chaste innocence of the Barbie brand, others thought it might lean into the themes of depersonalization and individualism that director Greta Gerwig seems to be exploring in the film about the iconic Mattel doll.
However, a user on TikTok has pointed out that this isn’t a mystery at all, and it’s actually quite simple to find out where Ken lives. That’s because the TikToker in question (@.urrgghh) is the proud owner of Ken’s Dreamhouse.
In his video on the topic, he goes on to explain that when Ken was introduced in the early sixties, he wasn’t given a home like Barbie. However, he then tells us that in 2011, in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of Ken’s release, Mattel produced a special Dreamhouse for Ken, which they then sold at a charity auction. It is the only Ken’s Dreamhouse known in existence.
The TikTok user wasn’t the original buyer of the piece, which he says went for around “ten or twelve grand,” before being gifted to the grandchildren of the original purchaser. The kids — being children — damaged some of the finer features (like a working elevator), and the current owner eventually bought the rundown Dreamhouse for $2,000. He ends the video by stating that he’s planning on getting it restored.
In another video on the topic, @.urrgghh also talks about whether or not certain Ken dolls came with the house, and the additions that he personally has made to it.
So, sorry folks: it doesn’t look like an adventure to find Ken’s house will form any of the plot of Barbie. But at least we know if the famous pair of dolls break up, Ken will have somewhere to sleep.