The Barbie Doll
The archetype today on my blog is called the Barbie Doll. This archetype is long awaited, and the definition of my aesthetic!
Barbie Dolls are the sibling to the Superstar Dolls. While Superstars are known for commanding in the workplace and achieving fame/recognition, Barbie Dolls are known for being dynamic with spunky defiance.
This is going to be a LONG article because of the HISTORY involved here. If you aren’t a reader, turn back. If you’re a delulu Barb, RUN! This contains CRITICAL analysis OF Nicki Minaj.
Otherwise, get a snack and some water and read (OR LISTEN…SIRI EXISTS) to my thoughts on this icon.
Doll Archetype:
The Barbie Doll
Female rappers have a shorter shelf life than pop singers, and Nicki was determined to prove her longevity by maintaining a mindset that was out of this world. And thus…my example for this archetype is born!
Onika “Nicki” Tanya Maraj (Minaj) Petty.
Nicki is a KNOWN Barbie Archetype. Let’s get into all of her traits, what we can learn to do (and what NOT TO DO OMG), and how this archetype can use this to the best of their abilities.
People’s Champ!
nicki’s pop era was so fun. too bad we will NEVER get it back lmaoo. i miss 2010s
Barbie Dolls are people oriented and their biggest goal in life is to make others live in harmony with themselves and others. Barbies have a preoccupation with being liked. They are a puddle of anxiety when dealing with brash, aggressive personalities because it directly goes against what they stand for: a simple, fun life.
Anytime you see representation of actual dolls in media, they are marketed as image based. Both Bratz and Barbie heavily focus on interpersonal relationships and lessons of sisterhood/womanhood.
The iconic Barbie doll, originating from Mattel, has played a significant role in shaping cultural perceptions and inspiring generations of young girls.
Mattel has consistently portrayed Barbie as a protagonist living in a seemingly perfect "Dream World." While some may view this portrayal as denial or even delusion, it has had far-reaching implications.
Barbie embodies various archetypes that define her multifaceted personality. Amidst her innate glamour and charm, two prominent characteristics reign: extroversion and an insatiable desire for adoration.
Barbie's extroverted nature is an integral aspect of her identity. Like a sunflower, her spirit thrives in the spotlight, feeding off the energy gained from captivating those around her. She effortlessly commands attention with her radiant charisma. She excels at transforming mundane moments into magical memories, leaving an indelible impression on anyone fortunate enough to cross her path.
She has a fear of others experiencing sadness, even though it has its place in her. This fuels her determination to cultivate an atmosphere of joy and boundless affection in every relationship she forges.
Maintaining the status quo is an essential belief woven into the very fabric of her existence. Change, the harbinger of uncertainty, sometimes horrifies this modern icon. Her ardent devotion to familiarity and stability stems from a deep-rooted appreciation for all that has shaped her into the admired personality she is today.
Overall, the impact of Barbie extends far beyond a mere toy. It has served as a symbol of empowerment and possibility, fostering the idea that one can transcend societal norms and carve their own path.
Traits positives and negatives:
Positives: being a “girl’s girl”/”guy’s guy”/etc, enthusiastic and positive, can bring joy out of almost anyone
Negatives: can become defensive if the status quo is disrupted; has a hard time learning that people won’t always like you or want to live in the world you’re in! NICKI HAS NOT GROWN FROM THIS I FEAR!
What we can learn:
You’re an acquired taste…if someone doesn’t like you, they need to acquire some taste. And if they don’t…that’s their loss.
You can’t always get someone to see the things you do. They aren’t built like you, and that’s alright.
Don’t stop being a light to others. People may not always appreciate it at the time, but they will always remember it later on.
2. Business Mogul
and she was right… see how manifestation and prayer works!!!!!!!
“I get what I desire, it’s my empire / And yes, I call the shots, I am the umpire”
These dolls are all around business moguls. Nicki said numerous times in her career that she wanted to be known for being a mogul. Watch her come up below from the infancy of her career and think about what we know her as now.
Nicki was literally the first female rappers IN OUR GENERATION (I’m Gen Z) to build an empire that had longevity. I really don’t care to debate anyone, you couldn’t go ANYWHERE without seeing her whether good or bad😭
She is a rapper/lyricist, a singer, an actress, owner of Myx Moscato, perfume curator, record label executive, etc. Jack & Jill of all Trades (when they want to be - unevolved Dolls have a harder time applying their generator personality but are cosmically chosen and destined to achieve more than most).
Nicki did what others couldn’t, and achieved a long lasting rap career. She had her run, and I would say she ranks as one of the greatest because she was on top for over a decade without faltering. The rap scene is trash today, but we fondly remember in Nicki’s heyday how distinct she was and how distinct YOUNG MONEY was.
Much like her predecessors, she did this in the presence of hyper masculine, rough men who didn’t believe in her at the beginning. She had to prove herself to not only a male dominated genre that she could hold her own, but even to the women who had the same idea.
“I want to build my empire. In my field, I have always seen men do it. From Diddy to Dr. Dre to Jay Z. Now it’s a woman’s turn.”
This Doll’s interest in business carries them beyond the typical surface level. They have so many avenues to express themselves. they aren’t attached to one specific niche. Think of Whitney Houston’s I’m Every Woman. Nicki Minaj also has multiple alter egos that convey her “every woman” trait.
Any Doll brand, but specifically Barbie, advertised that “you can do whatever you want! Women don’t have to just be one thing"!” That is why Barbie has so many spinoffs, “alter egos”, and stories.
Each moniker Nicki utilizes represents a different facet of her multidimensional persona, highlighting her versatility as an artist. These alternate identities act as symbols of empowerment, allowing Nicki to express herself in various genres and artistic styles. By embracing numerous monikers, Nicki Minaj showcases the freedom to explore and the confidence to transcend boundaries, establishing herself as an influential figure who refuses to be confined.
Other people will try to limit you and speak on what you can or can’t do, but that’s because it is a reflection of what they wouldn’t do. Don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t have the interest, passion, or expertise in what you are trying to do.
Trait positives and negatives:
Positive: staying with a bag
Negative: obsessive over accomplishments (TOO OBSESSIVE…)
What we can learn:
You dictate how your life appears to others and what direction it will go. Don't allow others to have a say so in what you have yet to do.
Don’t forget how much you have achieved.
3. Girly Girl
Barbies are the definition of the “girly girl” - hyper feminine. This has come with scrutiny due to misogyny, but has morphed into being loved over the years.
Stereotypically, they love the color pink and have a wardrobe full of traditionally feminine clothing: dresses, heels, flashy jewelry. You will rarely see a Barbie wearing all black with sneakers and a t shirt. Casual outfits always have a feminine spin onto it.
Barbies are very concerned with how they appear to others, and this can cause them to have misconceptions regarding typical womanhood. Typical womanhood is not perfect. You age, beauty standards change, and sometimes the bubblegum pink schtick is exhausting and high maintenance. The dramatic, hyper feminine expression is what they genuinely love, but sometimes it can appeal to misogynist society by making sure it’s wrapped in a perfect bow.
Dolls are marketed to younger children as what is ideal, but not what is realistic. Therefore, fashion and hair are escapism for Barbies and overall enjoyable and almost a hobby.
The average person will look at a person crazy if they express themselves boldly everywhere they go, but that’s because they couldn’t do it themselves. People stay making fun of me for wearing pink, but hell, they know it’s me. It’s an aesthetic. It’s BRANDING.
Never conform to the way they think you should shine.
You are your own Barbie Doll, dress yourself up how you please. This isn’t a group project, this is your imagination and nobody can control that but you.
Positive: expression
Negative: an illusion to what real expression is like
What we can learn:
You don’t always have to look one type of way.
Be sure you’re appealing to yourself, and not other people.
the iconic Nicki Minaj Look:
dramatic, flashy, lots of colors
Remember Nicki’s camp era. She won’t ever do this again but she used to embrace being a weirdo!💔
Hair: Colorful and Laid
“what your name B.O.B. SO THEY CALLIN YOU BOB?
stop playin’ n*gga … you know that I’m known for the BAWB”
Details: flashy, flashy, flashy.
Some of the new generation’s favorite MEDIOCRE TIKTOK rappers embody this aesthetic and it is NOT for everyone. You have to have the charisma to match something this loud.
Genuinely nobody does it like Nicki.
4. Self Assured.
All Dolls have confidence out of the ballpark, but especially these stronger archetypes.
Barbie Dolls want to share this confidence with everyone around them. One thing about Nicki is that she always encouraged her fans (adorably and lovingly named the “Barbz”) to follow their dreams.
“I want to show little girls that the possibilities are endless. That’s my goal – to not only do it for myself, but to show them ‘I can do whatever I put my mind to’.”
There is power in a name.
Nicki Minaj has captivated audiences worldwide with her consistently reiterated phrase, "I am Nicki Minaj." This repetitive affirmation, along with her various monikers, holds a significant allure. It signifies a profound understanding of the influence that a name carries and conveys empowerment. PLUS, you’ll always remember her. (kinda like how Jason Derulo sings his name at the beginning of EVERY song 😭)
By boldly proclaiming her identity, Nicki Minaj exemplified a boss move that leaves no room for doubt or hesitation. The phrase "I am" carries a weight that reverberates through every syllable.
It signifies a strong belief in oneself and serves as a reminder of personal agency and authority. By asserting these two words, Nicki declares that she is in control of her narrative, her artistry, and her destiny.
Nicki Minaj's repetition of her name holds an inherent sense of certainty and self-assuredness. The phrase "I am" communicates a resolute sense of identity, leaving no room for doubt or external judgment.
By consistently reaffirming who she is, Nicki Minaj asserts her place in the world, shaping the narrative surrounding her celebrity. This profound belief in herself inspires fans to cultivate their self-assurance, reinforcing the idea that true power comes from an unyielding understanding of one's own worth.
MANTRA: I AM.:
I know who I am, and I don’t have to answer to anyone but me.
Who I am, my name, and my lifestyle carries weight.
My presence shakes the room.
I AM the Barbie.
I AM the most powerful person in the room.
I AM her/him/them.
Nicki’s current psyche.
“I fly with the stars and the skies
I am no longer trying to survive
I believe that life is a prize
But to live doesn’t mean you’re alive”
I think this is what Nicki is experiencing now. She’s just…surviving. She has fallen off, in a sense, due to her OWN ego. Nobody else is to blame. We can no longer point fingers at the industry plotting against her/using other female rappers to get rid of her.
To be honest, she tried to hide behind the music instead of using it as a tool. Your gifts aren’t immunity from struggle, but equipment to recognize yourself despite these struggles. If you are blessed with the ability to create for others, it should be a return to self more than anything.
SHE allowed a loss of self to happen. She is in a DEEP, DEEP pit of fear and loathing. Her decline is, honestly, depressing. She is looking for validation in any corner of the world, even if it’s directly against what she originally claimed she stood for (as of my current EDIT in 2026, she has aligned herself with hatred and I am NOT okay with it. I reconstructed this entire part just to make that clear).
Let’s just keep it a buck. This crazy ass lady lost sight of her “WHY”. The music was everything to her, and she started focusing on everything BUT that and made her personality being a bitter b word.
If you don’t know your “why” anymore when pursuing your passion, then you will constantly be looking at other people. Comparing yourself. Even if they’re beneath you.
For the past few years, she has lost her freaking marbles (ever since she became intimidated by Cardi instead of letting her do her own thing, got married to that r*pist and had that baby). If she stayed graceful, got off of the ALLEGED drugs, and minded her own, we wouldn’t be here looking at her with disappointment right now.
Cardi was right, even if her delivery was AWFUL. Beneath that fortified bravado, repulsive rhetoric towards other women, and ostentatious crashout is an insecure little girl that hasn’t coped with the past. She has painstakingly and flawlessly crafted her brand, using it as a defense against critique but can’t help but grapple with her ultimate desire: acceptance.
“True confidence leaves no room for jealousy. When you know you are great, you have no need to hate.” - NICKI HERSELF
(btw…REMINDER for EVERYONE to try therapy at least a couple times past the initial consultation and USE IT AS A TOOL TO DISCOVER YOURSELF! also…for those of us who ARE MENTALLY ILL.. TAKE YOUR MEDS!! You can also use KANYE as an example of this shit. Don’t lose your way.)
I genuinely believe that in the solitude of her thoughts, she ponders the reception of her work and contemplates the crucial question, "Who truly likes the real me? Do I even like the real me? Am I good enough?” We all ask ourselves this, but she never gave herself the right answer.
Not to get on a religious soapbox, but even though she proclaims she is a devout Christian, she lost sight of who God made her to be. She looks to others to remind herself she is Nicki Minaj, instead of knowing she is Nicki Minaj. That’s why it’s important to maintain a strong self concept, so that when the storms come, you won’t falter.
Are you trusting God’s plan, or surviving the world’s plan? And if you’re trusting God’s plan, what are you afraid of?
You may not even hear what His plan is right now because the world is too loud. That’s a sign you need prayer and reflection, and honestly, a friend to remind you of your worth.
In closing, let’s reflect on Nicki’s meteoric rise and fall. Let’s appreciate her impact from who she was known to us as little girls, while also acknowledging what she is now.
But ultimately, let’s set out to be who we are destined to be unapologetically as young girls and young women in a world where femininity is underestimated and ultimately scrutinized. You don’t have to wear pink to be girly and feminine. It’s all in what you believe about yourself and the aura you give off.
