Add Category
Very little is known about the plot of the upcoming Barbie movie, but that has not stopped a crowd of people from turning up to Westfield at Sydney's Pitt Street Mall in the hope of catching a glimpse of stars Margot Robbie, America Ferrera, Issa Rae and director Greta Gerwig.
Among them was Tom Gay, who is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. Like most people, he doesn't know what to expect from the movie, but is waiting in great anticipation for July 20 to roll around.
"I'm pumped," he said.
"I can't wait to see how this all gets intertwined together."
Mr Gay was at the event with Adam Borsak, who was dressed as a live Ken doll.
"I'm here dressed as animal-loving Ken, made famous in Toy Story 3," he said.
Mr Borsak is a huge fan of both Barbie and Ken and can't wait to see the movie.
"They're both icons. As a queer person, Barbie is a queer icon and she gives us the freedom — and also Ken does — they give us the freedom to express ourselves, masculine, feminine, all across the gender spectrum, and that's what I love about it the most."
Anais Vander was about six years old when she was given her first Barbie.
"Barbie means the whole world to me. She was my entire childhood," she said.
"Growing up as a kid playing with Barbies, seeing a live-action version is so exciting for us."
Vander was at the fan event with her sisters Saskia and Estelle.
"I'm definitely going to be the first one in queue to watch it when it comes out," Saskia said.
Estelle said the trio made every effort to make sure they had a prime position at the event.
"We live in Sydney, but we've been here since 7:30 this morning lining up."
Dennis Wong said he was at the event to meet the stars.
"I am so excited. I love all the stars that are here — Margot Robbie, America … it's crazy."
The synopsis for the film is: "Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans."
But most details are being kept closely under wraps, which is only serving to increase the level of anticipation.
Laken Atkinson said she was really excited to see how it all came together.
"I don't know how they're going to interpret things," she said.
"I'm keen to see the wardrobe as well."
Jackie La said his favourite colour was pink.
"I'm here for Margot Robbie," he said. "I just love her acting."
"I'm just so excited for the movie."
Wiradjuri teenager Dean Toomey took the train from Toongabbie in Sydney's west to be at the event.
"It did take me a pretty long time, but I'm happy to be here," he said.
Lucy Rice described Barbie as iconic.
"I'm really into fashion and she brings out a sense of childhood … so I'm just so glad they're releasing a movie."
'All shapes and colours are beautiful'
Nalini Perera brought one of her Barbies with her. She has many.
"I used to take my dolls around everywhere, so this is fulfilling my childhood," she said.
She said she celebrated Barbie's evolution to become more diverse but the Barbies of her childhood had an impact on her.
"I'm Sri Lankan but when I was little I wanted to be white because of Barbie, I'm pretty sure."
She said she now loved being brown.
"Growing up, seeing more diversity on TV especially has been so important and actively acknowledging all shapes and colours are beautiful," she said.
She described the trailer as magical and said she could not wait to see the movie come to life.
She also loves the fact that Barbie is career minded.
"I think it's so amazing that she has different professions because it's girl empowerment, woman empowerment," she said.
"Seeing Barbie doing all these different jobs — so, you can have a Barbie president, so little girls can feel like … 'I can be a president too one day.'"
Her best friend Victoria Sevi is originally from India.
"Growing up, you'd see the white Barbies. There wasn't a lot of diverse Barbies," she said.
She appreciates the fact that Barbie is now more inclusive.
"It brings representation and I'm very happy to see more colour, and I'm very proud of who I am."
Jordan Hector grew up with three sisters so he was around Barbie and Ken dolls a lot as a child.
It took him two hours to get to the Pitt Street Mall from Currans Hill in Sydney's south-west.
"I'm quite excited," he said.
Stars answer fans' questions
Robbie, Rae, Gerwig and Ferrera took selfies and signed autographs for fans and then got on stage to answer some questions from fans.
Speaking on stage, Ferrera said Gerwig was a phenomenal visionary.
"I didn't grow up playing with Barbies. I didn't necessarily feel reflected in Barbie world," Ferrera said.
"But in this Barbie world, we're all there and walking onto the set. It made me feel nostalgic for something I didn't even know I needed."
Rae said she jumped at Gerwig's request for her to play President Barbie.
"It was kind of a no-brainer," Rae said.
"Greta told me she wanted me to play president of Barbie Land.
"I don't know how much power she really has because everything is perfect. So her task is to try and improve on perfect. But I know some of her rules were dance parties every 90 minutes, which I'm a fan of, and … turn to the Barbie next to you and compliment her.
"It was just a really positive environment."
Gerwig joked that her mother could not believe she was directing a Barbie movie.
"My mum didn't want me to play with Barbies so she's super surprised by what's happened," she said.
"Be careful what you don't let your children play with."
Ryan Gosling appeared in a video message to fans, saying he and Robbie were disappointed that only one of them could go to Sydney on the publicity tour.
"Margot rightfully pointed out that since she's Australian, she's the natural choice," he said.
"I also rightfully pointed out that I've lived there for the last six months this summer and I technically think I've spent more time in Australia this year than she had, and it quickly evolved into a shouting match and it's easy to see how that panned out — she's sitting there with you today."
The Barbie tour continues, just not in Australia.
"We're going to Korea next," Robbie said.
Barbie opens in cinemas in Australia on July 20