The Ultimate Barbie Cast Guide: 10 Shocking Secrets And Full Star Profiles You Didn't Know About

The Barbie movie cast, a powerhouse ensemble led by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, remains one of the most talked-about collections of talent in recent Hollywood history, even as of December 2025. This film transcended its toy-based origins to become a cultural phenomenon, largely due to the brilliant and diverse actors who brought Barbieland to life. From Oscar-nominated leads to surprise celebrity cameos, the casting choices by director Greta Gerwig were meticulously crafted to deliver a story layered with humor, nostalgia, and profound social commentary.

The success of the 2023 blockbuster wasn't just in its dazzling pink aesthetic; it was in the commitment of its stars to embody the various versions of the iconic doll and the humans they encounter. This deep-dive guide explores the full cast roster, reveals the surprising biographical details of the main players, and uncovers the most fascinating behind-the-scenes secrets that defined the movie's production.

The Core Cast: Biographical Profiles and Notable Works

The film's emotional and comedic heavy lifting was shouldered by four main stars, whose established careers gave the movie its necessary gravitas and box-office appeal. Here is a quick profile of the main cast members:

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• Margot Robbie (Stereotypical Barbie)
  • Born: 2 July 1990 in Dalby, Queensland, Australia.
  • Role in Barbie: The primary "Stereotypical Barbie" whose existential crisis drives the plot from Barbieland into the Real World.
  • Notable Works: As a producer and actress, she is known for her Oscar-nominated roles in I, Tonya and Bombshell, as well as her breakout performance in The Wolf of Wall Street and her portrayal of Harley Quinn in the DCEU.
• Ryan Gosling (Ken)
  • Born: 12 November 1980 in London, Ontario, Canada.
  • Role in Barbie: The main Ken, who struggles with his identity and "just being Ken" in Barbie's shadow, leading to his discovery of the patriarchy.
  • Notable Works: A two-time Oscar nominee, he is celebrated for films like The Notebook, La La Land, Blade Runner 2049, and Drive. His performance as Ken became a cultural touchstone for "Kenergy."
• America Ferrera (Gloria)
  • Born: 18 April 1984 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
  • Role in Barbie: A human woman and Mattel employee who helps Barbie in the Real World. She is the mother of Sasha and delivers the film's most powerful, viral monologue.
  • Notable Works: She rose to prominence with her debut in Real Women Have Curves and her Emmy-winning role as Betty Suarez in the TV series Ugly Betty. She also starred in Superstore and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
• Simu Liu (Ken)
  • Born: 19 April 1989 in Harbin, China.
  • Role in Barbie: Another Ken, who serves as the main rival to Ryan Gosling's Ken, particularly in their beach-off and battle for control of Barbieland.
  • Notable Works: Best known for his groundbreaking role as the titular superhero in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and for his role in the TV series Kim's Convenience.

The Kenergy and The Multi-Faceted Barbies

Greta Gerwig's vision required a vast ensemble to populate Barbieland, showcasing a world where every doll could be anything—from a President to a Nobel Prize winner. The casting of multiple Barbies and Kens was a deliberate choice to reflect the doll's history and potential, while also exploring the themes of identity and representation.

The Diverse Barbies and Their Roles

The film features a brilliant array of actresses embodying different professional Barbies, highlighting the doll's 60+ year history of aspirational careers.

• Issa Rae (President Barbie): Known for Insecure, Rae plays the highest office in Barbieland, symbolizing the doll's "I can be anything" mantra.
• Hari Nef (Doctor Barbie): A trans actress and model, her casting was praised for promoting inclusivity, playing a medical professional in Barbieland.
• Dua Lipa (Mermaid Barbie): The global pop star makes a cameo as a beautiful Mermaid Barbie, adding a layer of high-profile glamour to the ensemble.
• Kate McKinnon (Weird Barbie): The SNL alum plays the damaged, flexible, and wise outcast doll, who acts as a guide and oracle for Stereotypical Barbie.
• Emma Mackey (Physicist Barbie): Known for Sex Education, Mackey plays a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, a nod to the intellectual side of the doll's careers.

The Battle for Kenergy: The Other Kens

The concept of "Kenergy," a term coined to describe the unique, often over-the-top masculine energy of the Kens, was a key theme of the film.

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• Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, Scott Evans: These actors, alongside Simu Liu, play various other Kens, all vying for attention, beach space, and a sense of purpose outside of Barbie's orbit.
• John Cena (Merman Ken): In one of the film's most surprising cameos, the WWE star and actor plays a Merman Ken. His role is a hilarious, brief, yet memorable appearance, often seen alongside Dua Lipa's Mermaid Barbie. Cena's casting came about serendipitously after a chance meeting while he was filming another project nearby.

The Forgotten Dolls and The Humans: Key Supporting Entities

The supporting cast of Barbie is crucial for providing context and emotional depth, particularly those characters representing the discontinued or overlooked dolls from Mattel's history, and the humans who connect Barbieland to the Real World.

The Discontinued and Unique Dolls

The inclusion of dolls like Allan and Midge was a brilliant piece of meta-commentary on the toy company's sometimes-awkward history.

• Michael Cera (Allan): Cera plays Allan, Ken's discontinued best friend, who was marketed as being able to fit into all of Ken's clothes. Cera's signature awkward, waifish charm was perfect for the "bizarro-Ken" character, who is perpetually confused and out of place among the Kens' intense "Kenergy."
• Emerald Fennell (Midge): Fennell, an Oscar-winning director (Promising Young Woman), plays Midge, the pregnant doll who was pulled from shelves due to controversy. Her presence underscores the film's theme of embracing the dolls that didn't fit the mold.

The Humans Who Ground the Story

The human characters serve as the bridge between the fantastical world of plastic and the messy reality of life.

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• Will Ferrell (The CEO of Mattel): Ferrell plays the comically out-of-touch CEO of Mattel, leading a board of all-male executives who attempt to put Barbie back in her box. His performance satirizes corporate culture with a light touch.
• Ariana Greenblatt (Sasha): Sasha is Gloria's cynical, teenage daughter who initially dismisses Barbie, representing the modern, disillusioned view of the doll's legacy before her mother's journey inspires her.
• Helen Mirren (Narrator): The legendary Oscar-winning actress provides the perfectly dry, omniscient narration, adding a layer of established prestige and comedic timing to the entire film.

Behind-the-Scenes Secrets and The Cast's Unique Experience

The electric chemistry on screen was a result of the unique, immersive environment fostered by director Greta Gerwig, who aimed to create a collaborative and joyful set.

One of the most widely shared secrets was Margot Robbie's dedication to her co-star. She reportedly left Ryan Gosling a "pink present with a pink bow, from Barbie to Ken" every single day of filming. These gifts were all beach-themed and designed to help him get into the "Kenergy" of his character, which he described as an essential part of his process.

To build a tight-knit ensemble and foster the feeling of a true community, Gerwig organized cast slumber parties at a hotel where many of the actors were staying. These gatherings, which included the Kens and the Barbies, helped the large cast bond and created the sense of a shared, joyful experience, which is palpable in the final movie.

America Ferrera's Monologue, which addresses the impossible contradictions of womanhood, was not only one of the film's most talked-about moments but also a key piece of the movie's message. Ferrera's character, Gloria, the "every woman," became the surprising heart of the film, delivering a speech that resonated globally and cemented her performance as one of the year's best.

The casting of the entire ensemble, from the lead stars to the one-scene cameos, was a deliberate act of creating a diverse, talented, and deeply committed group of actors. Their collective "Kenergy" and dedication to Gerwig's unique vision ensured that the Barbie movie cast would be celebrated not just for their fame, but for their ability to deliver a blockbuster with a meaningful, lasting impact.