Bahrain’s real-life Barbie goes viral for glossy pink lifestyle

TDT | Manama           

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

A real-life Barbie in Bahrain has become an internet sensation after photos of her pink-themed outfits hit social media.

Tamar Leek, aka Bahrain Barbie, has over 21,000 followers on Instagram and 486 followers on TikTok, where she shows off her Barbie-themed lifestyle.

The UK-based woman is also a singer, songwriter, and artist who has lived in Bahrain for over five years.

As a singer, Tamar has been inspired by other females who balance being talented, fashionable, and entrepreneurial. She looks up to artists like Gwen Stefani, Grimes, Nadia Lee Cohen, and the Spice Girls.

She said that she has always dressed uniquely, so to her, the Barbie style seems 'normal'. "I have dressed more like a doll for the last three to four years. Although I was not specifically trying to look like Barbie.

"I would just wear a lot of bright clothes in unique designs, and whenever I went out in Bahrain, people would call me Barbie and ask for photos," she said. She revealed that she has a fairly large collection of pink clothing, accessories, wigs, shoes, and purses.

She regards her sense of style as an extension of her personality. Tamar emphasised that while she loves various colours and doesn’t always wear pink, the majority of her collection is pink since she finds happiness in it.

"I did have a time in my life when I would only wear black and listen to heavy metal music, but I don’t wear black anymore."

"I have been living in Bahrain for five years, and I have a huge level of respect for the values of the culture here. I have learned to adapt my fashion choices in a way that upholds a level of modesty and respect for the community, particularly in public," Tamar added.

Barbie has been a beloved doll globally since 1959. Recently, the Barbie movie has given her a new wave of popularity. "I have been lucky enough to see the movie twice, as I was able to see it on the US base, and I thought the movie was visually beautiful and iconic," Tamar said.

Meanwhile, The Daily Tribune learned that after the announcement that "Barbie" will release in the UAE on August 10, it has now been confirmed that the film will release in theatres across Bahrain on the same date. The film has the green light to release in Saudi Arabia too.