Hello hello hello moguls! In this thrilling conclusion of the saga “Gerwig’s Barbie Gworls, the Bait-and-Switch of White Feminism, and Pink Dollar Power,” writer and narrator Dr. Robin J. Hayes spills all the tea about Barbie, the top-grossing comedy ever. Might the film have missed out on another billion dollars at the box office due to its lukewarm reception among women and LGBTQ folk from the global majority? Were the characters artfully portrayed by Latine icon America Ferrera and Black icon Issa Rae what their massive worldwide followings want to see? Dr. Hayes takes a deep dive into these questions and offers two money-making takeaways from this film’s controversial reception. She also explores the film’s biggest supporting Mahogany, or Black woman character, President Barbie — portrayed by Issa Rae.

Barbie is a Warner Bros film directed by Greta Gerwig, starring and produced by Margot Robbie, and featuring Ryan Gosling (The Notebook, The Place Beyond the Pines). It was written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach. Based on the doll invented by first-gen American and Jewish woman entrepreneur Ruth Handler. 

Additional episode notes, including research sources, are available here. Suggestions of films to discuss on future episodes of Mahoganies: a Robin J. Hayes podcast are welcome in the comments. 

FILMS MENTIONED

Barbie

Black Panther

Jennifer’s Body

Real Women Have Curves (produced by Effie Brown)

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Dr. Hayes is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America. If you’re an entertainment industry worker impacted by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, click here for a list of available resources or call the WIF Help Line at 1-855-WIF-LINE.