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

[Gumby123]

Cashing in on the Obama psychosis.

[IslandGyal]

Yes, I guess that's a bad thing right, after our long 8 year nightmare has ended?

[Val49]

Girls all over the world would be looking for these dolls, they want to identify with these two girls. QUESTION, since the dolls are not about Sasha and Melia Obama, first why name them that, there names are not everyday names that you could just think up, 2nd little girls want to identify with these two girls, WHAT TWO GIRLS, the dolls, you are full of CRAP and you are a LIER, and it is nothing on the dolls that refer to the Obama girls, stupid, THERE NAME, THERE BRONZ COLOR. The fasination will make the dolls a success, fasination of what the Obama girls that they are not suppose to be, Quit contridicting yourself.

[MESGAIN26]

TOOOOOOOO CUTE

[quiviran]

Much better for girls to emulate Sasha and Malia than Britney, Paris and Lindsay. Michelle wouldn't be a bad choice either.

[karela]

Boy oh boy, wouldn't a strong, healthy, anatomically normal Michelle Obama doll be a new and healthy image to replace the brainless Barbie? Instead of just dressing the part, she could come with Harvard accessories and job/home balancing agendas like real women. That in itself would be a really good thing for American girls. The idea of not only playing with the clothes for a normal looking person, but also dreaming of growing up to be a complete and successful person instead of just an empty headed clothes horse---now that could be a cool thing for girls.

[Meeshee]

Yes, it may be somewhat exploitive, but as an African American woman, I am delighted that little black girl dolls are the ones that are so coveted. As a child growing up, it was harder to come by a little black doll. This is so empowering for so many girls, especially little black girls. I may buy the Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia dolls just for myself because have three little boys who would have no interest! :-) Perhaps Beanie Babies can donate a portion of the proceeds of the dolls to a charity that honors Malia and Sasha.

[lisasp]

The fortunate thing is that there are already beautiful black dolls out there. Check out Karito Kids to see Lulu, a gorgeous black doll representing an 11-year-old from Kenya. The Karito Kids dolls and books all teach children about giving to children in other countries through an online process. The child who receives the doll and book can go online and choose where a company donation should go -- food, health, school or home. These are projects in countries around the world, directly helping children.

[LeftLeanWing]

I'm sure there will be some OBAMA Jeans on the market soon

[sweetwhine]

I'll wear them!! Super skin tight too!! Hahaha

[Kiabell04]

LOL@sweetwhine!! Me too :)

[plugger]

Hey in Chicago on the progressive radio station that can only broadcast in daylight, they have dentists and mortgage companies, labor unions and and Italian/Jewish restaurant pimping Obama

[b-rad81]

g.ay

[huffy2001]

I'm holding out for the Eric and Tim dolls!

[Damaven]

Skin color fine. The names? Now give the world a freakin' break!

[tinarm]

I'm not thrilled with this either, but the thing that gets me is Pepsi. Good grief, can they use Obama anymore than they already have and yet still deny they aren't? I hate Pepsi anyway, but man if I was with the Obama administration I would make them stop. It's like hey, your like popular now that you're president so can we please use you to help sales without admitting we are doing it? What a bunch of crap!

[karela]

It just occurred to me how totally dumb it would be for the administration to force companies to stop using the Obamas as long as it is done tastefully and respectfully. The whole idea is to have as much public support and political capitol as possible so that the President can accomplish as much as possible. Every time a healthy ad or a sweet product is bought into or consumed, it makes the world a bit warmer for Obama policy. You can't really yell around the house about Sasha and Malia's daddy if your eight year old is inseparable from her Sasha and Malia dolls. And if you think that's goofy, notice how many people ended up voting for Obama because their kids got to them! Do you recall the old Coca Cola ads with the all American scenes and the big choirs singing "I'd Like to Build the World a Home and Furnish It With Love"? Those commercials were delightful and they had a strong impact on American thought. If companies are smart about it, they'll make money while helping the country, or for that matter, the world. Little German girls will want Sasha and Malia dolls too.

[Bashley]

I think those are absolutely adorable! Yeah, they may not match the Obama daughters in skintone, but that's the shade of brown Ty uses for it's ethnic Beanie Babies. No one complained about it before, so why change it.

[ohioan73]

Cute. :D

[vgirl1]

Cute brown dolls, but they look exactly alike and nothing like the Obama girls, Malia and Sasha.

[spartanmom]

And where were they made?

China?

[NavyMom44]

ROFLMAOOOO­OO!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

[nubret2008]

I guess the originals are genuine American ;-)