Sasha, Malia Beanie Babies Made

CHICAGO — The company that makes the popular Beanie Babies is hoping for two more big winners with dolls named "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia."

But, no, the names do not refer to President Barack Obama's daughters, a Ty Inc. spokeswoman says. Honest!

Ty released the 12-inch dolls as part of the company's "TyGirlz Collection." The Sasha doll has pigtails and wears a white and pink dress with hearts. The Malia doll has a side ponytail and a long-sleeve shirt with capri pants.

The Oak Brook-based company chose the names because "they are beautiful names," not because of any resemblance to Malia and Sasha Obama, said spokeswoman Tania Lundeen.

"There's nothing on the dolls that refers to the Obama girls," Lundeen said. "It would not be fair to say they are exact replications of these girls. They are not."

The dolls have bronze skin and "real doll hair," Lundeen said. They were introduced in early January and a limited supply has been shipped to retailers.

In the real world, 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia have been the focus of intense interest. A throng of reporters followed their first day at school, and news reports detailed what they wore on Inauguration Day.

That fascination will make the dolls a success, said Denise Gary Robinson, president of DollsLikeMe.com, an online specialty doll boutique that specializes in ethnic dolls, toys and gifts.

"Girls all over the world, of all colors, will be looking for these dolls. They want to identify with these two girls," Robinson said.

Among the 30 other TyGirlz pictured on Ty's Web site are ones named Lindsay, Britney, Paris, Hillary and Jenna (but no Barbara.) The collection was introduced in 2007.

Public figures have a legal right to control their how their images are used, but Lundeen would not comment on legal issues or if the company's lawyers have become involved with the dolls.

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On the Net:

Ty Inc.: http://www.ty.com/newhome

Comments

[ESerafina42]

Incidentally, what IS "real doll hair"? Is there such a thing as fake doll hair?

[KillBillV2]

Ewww....I know creeepy.

[loki]

looks more like Dora the Explorer to me. Then again, they toss anything out there and give it a famous name and expect people to buy it. I know my daughters are huge Miley Cyrus fans, but even they refuse the Hanna Montana dolls because they look nothing like her. I guess some people dont care about that, only that the name is there. I have some shiny brass bars I can print gold on. Anyone want to pay top dollar for that?

[Eric8869]

You have to realize this TY company is desperate. They had a huge success with the Beanie Babies - then they were "out" and they haven't come up with anything to replace that success.

This is a desperate move.

[claylandg]

really those dolls don't look like the kids at all!. Skin tone is off alittle and hair also to bad it's a good idea.

[timm553]

Just want to say that I really like the way you referred to them as "the kids" and not "those kids". I think that a lot of us have sort of "adopted" them in our hearts and minds.

[myabee]

they are definitely my "adopted" daughters. i wish them well. why wish? they're in good hands (God's, Barack & Michelle's hands)!

[allonfla]

Bull Bull Bull. That is not a coincidence in any way. They know exactly what they are doing but since kids are most likely to pick lighter or white dolls (remember that experiment), they chose to make the dolls light.

[Kiabell04]

Those d@mn dolls don't even look black!! WTH?

[swyftdahoe]

Haha. I'll give them Sasha. But heck no Malia ain't a common name.
What a load of bs.

[lilkitty]

what a bunch of cr.ap....and I bet they are made in Ch.ina....which is more cr.ap

[IslandGyal]

Oh please Malia and Sasha by coincidenc­e?!?!?!?!?­!? Oh please, give me a freakin' break already.

[TJCole]

Inappropriate...!

[Jimmyboyo]

They look nothing like them.

[ESerafina42]

They're also identical. Just curious - really - do the white dolls, oh, how shall I put this, "all look alike"?

[notthistime]

They need to block this or ensure the girls are compensated.

[rukiddingmerightnow]

I totally agree.

[timm553]

I guess the makers think that de-regulation is still ok? Who is going to believe that those names were coincidental? Maybe George and Dick.

[ptobe]

They look a little too "mocha" to me.

Maybe it's just the photo...

[poco767c]

creepy

[enh8g2]

I'm pretty sure that company never heard the name Malia until the Obamas. That is like making a doll named Denzel or Beyonce and saying oh no it has nothing to do with them! Cute dolls though, I look forward to seeing a new version of the "doll test" from the Brown case in a few years!

[karela]

Um yeah, and what are the odds that the two names just happen to match both the President's daughters and the company's two new dolls. Could have been Sasha and Tasha or Malia and Beyonce. It's just coincidental that it's Malia AND Sasha. But I doubt if the President and First Lady will waste much political press on chasing this one. There are other more important things to be pursued. And little girls will love having these dolls. The thing that is so great about the Obama family is that they are honest examples to the country. They don't have to fake it or act it. They really do love each other. The children really are busy, active, healthy, respectful children with full lives. Michell really is a good mother. The Obamas can take care of business; any kind of business, whether it's domestic, international or personal. A more unique kind of family is in the White House than perhaps has ever been before----A mutually competent adult couple who can play it straight because they live it straight. Prepare to be delighted.