Marcus Baby, famous for turning celebrities into Barbie, has returned to the surface of culture

If many people who haven’t played with dolls in years are looking forward to seeing “Barbie,” which premieres in theaters Thursday (7/20), imagine what’s in the heart of Marcus Baby, 53. In the 2000s celebrities turned to handmade versions of Barbies and Kens, and demand for her name increased again with the popularity of the film.

Prior to the premiere, based on trailer images, Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu as Kane and their versions of Kate McKinnon as Barbie were already cast. Soon after publishing the photos, he said he saw an almost 10% increase in his follower base on Instagram, where he now has 28,000 followers.

Baby plans to take advantage of the “pink wave” to invest in more character development for the film. He still wants to do at least three more films inspired by the other actors in the production. The most awaited by the followers is Margot Robbie, who remains the protagonist. “They’re accusing me”, he tells F5. “But I was also looking forward to the new Margot look as Barbie. I didn’t want to do the ‘cowgirl’ or ‘perfect day’ look that everyone else did. I always go against the rules.”

The people of Rio Grande do Norte started collecting dolls related to pop culture in the 1990s, but in 2005 they paid their first tribute by turning Barbie into Nanny People. With this effect, he continued to draw similar figures whenever he felt like it.

“I have a studio in my apartment with different pieces. When I want to make a new doll, I add legs, arms and heads as I wish”, he explains of his production process. “I make everything from scratch.”

Baby says that, today, he receives requests from famous people who want to win a replica in doll form, but he only accepts if the person really likes him. “I don’t do it to get likes,” he says. “I do it because I love it. I neither sell nor take orders.”

Recognition has already crossed the line. In 2015, Madonna posted on her social networks a doll made by Brazilians in the image and likeness of the singer. Cyndi Lauper was another person who expressed her tribute. In 2017, the artist’s name appeared on international portals after a version was created based on a photo of pregnant Beyonce. He also usually respects celebrities who are moving forward for a cause.

Recent ones include President Lula (PT), actress Hailey Bailey, heroine of “The Little Mermaid,” and singer Rita Lee, who died in May. Last Wednesday (12), it was the turn of former Indian Chakrat Potira, whose death was announced on the same day at the age of 76. He laughs and says, “The doll was already ready”.