Socality Barbie Is More #Blessed Than You

We talk with the human behind Instagram's newest, most authentic star.

By Lizzy Acker

Once, long before you were born, it was impossible to be famous unless you were a film star or an important war general. Things are different now. Now you can come up with a clever idea and execute it on Instagram and overnight you can be a celebrity. Today's case study in instant fame: The Socality Barbie Instagram.

The account, which is run by an anonymous Portlander, features pictures of a Barbie in big glasses and an occasional beanie, living the #blessed life and gramming it hard. It's not the first time a Portlander has mocked Kinfolkafied Instagram but it's a cute trick. Socality Barbie is taking the internet by storm, as something does twice a week (this week it's all Barbie). Is the account, as TechCrunch says, showing us how "plastic" we really are? Is it "satirizing the great millennial adventurer trend in photography," as Wired suggests?

Also, what the hell is "socality"?

We were able to reach the human behind the account, an Oregon native but not actually born in Portland, if that gives you any clues, to ask her (him? should we assume gender here??) a few questions.

Willamette Week: Why have you decided to remain anonymous? 

I chose to remain anonymous because it's more fun that way, for me and for the followers. I believe it makes her seem like she's a real person and Its entertaining to watch people try and figure out who's behind the account. 

What inspired Socality Barbie? 

I couldn't help noticing the strong presence of people on Instagram who were taking the same "authentic" images. It started to become extremely difficult to tell all of their images apart. I wanted to make a parody account. 

Did you play with Barbies as a kid? 

I did, but is it weird that i'm having more fun playing with one as an adult? Ha ha.

What Instagrams does Socality Barbie follow? 

Every Instagramer that has "adventurer, explorer, wanderer, PNW or live authentic in their bio. 

What is her job? 

To take over Instagram and show the world that anyone, even Barbie, can live authentic as long as you use the right filter. 

WWeek 2015

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