Local Boy Stars in Barbie Commercial
The latest version of Barbie has gone high fashion, but it’s a boy in the commercial who has been stealing the spotlight and getting national attention and he lives right here in South Mississippi. News 25’s Kristen Durand introduces us to seven-year-old Taylor Gregory who is breaking gender stereotypes, one doll at a time.
Meet Taylor Gregory, the first boy to ever star in a Barbie commercial. He lives right here in South Mississippi. “It was girly but it was fun because I was the only boy on there,” said Gregory, “I’ve never seen a commercial that has a boy on it because any commercial I see about Barbie always has girls in it and I just don’t know why. It’s just weird.”
Taylor and his mom, Renee, flew out to L.A. to be part of the ad campaign for the Mattel collaboration with Italian luxury fashion house, Moschino. “We get there and they decide right away that he’s perfect for the part."
But a boy playing with dolls? In a society where gender norms are rigidly defined, the commercial pushes the envelope.
For generations, most parents who saw their young son playing with dolls would either brush the behavior off as a phase or reflexively repress it. In recent years, more parents have become more accepting and Taylor’s been kicking gender norms in the behind, one doll at a time.
“As long as toys are safe and kids are having fun then it doesn’t matter what they’re playing with. It doesn’t make them one way or the other,” said Renee.
Seven-year-old Taylor has a range of experience, having also played the role of a baby vampires for Lady Gaga in a promo for American Horror Story and a miniature Ted Cruz for a mock Republican debate. “The Ted Cruz was funny because I got to act like a president. It was so cool,” said Taylor.
When Taylor’s not in front of the camera? “Going outside and playing soccer or football or dancing.”
So whether it’s pink, blue, a doll or a truck, toys are toys. Taylor’s tearing down gender stereotypes with a message that dolls are for girls and boys.
Meet Taylor Gregory, the first boy to ever star in a Barbie commercial. He lives right here in South Mississippi. “It was girly but it was fun because I was the only boy on there,” said Gregory, “I’ve never seen a commercial that has a boy on it because any commercial I see about Barbie always has girls in it and I just don’t know why. It’s just weird.”
Taylor and his mom, Renee, flew out to L.A. to be part of the ad campaign for the Mattel collaboration with Italian luxury fashion house, Moschino. “We get there and they decide right away that he’s perfect for the part."
But a boy playing with dolls? In a society where gender norms are rigidly defined, the commercial pushes the envelope.
For generations, most parents who saw their young son playing with dolls would either brush the behavior off as a phase or reflexively repress it. In recent years, more parents have become more accepting and Taylor’s been kicking gender norms in the behind, one doll at a time.
“As long as toys are safe and kids are having fun then it doesn’t matter what they’re playing with. It doesn’t make them one way or the other,” said Renee.
Seven-year-old Taylor has a range of experience, having also played the role of a baby vampires for Lady Gaga in a promo for American Horror Story and a miniature Ted Cruz for a mock Republican debate. “The Ted Cruz was funny because I got to act like a president. It was so cool,” said Taylor.
When Taylor’s not in front of the camera? “Going outside and playing soccer or football or dancing.”
So whether it’s pink, blue, a doll or a truck, toys are toys. Taylor’s tearing down gender stereotypes with a message that dolls are for girls and boys.
Leave a Reply