The gap between those who can access and use digital technology and those who can't
The desire to look like Barbie or Ken may be unfathomable to most of us. However, there are several people for whom it is so important they are willing to spend enormous amounts of money to achieve the unusual look. Sometimes these highly risky procedures can go wrong, and yet even this is not always enough to dissuade them from continuing with their mission to attain their modified look.
Take a look through this gallery to learn more about some of these interesting characters!
Before transitioning, she underwent hundreds of procedures that totaled over US$500,000.
Born in New York state, Justin Jedlica is one of the most famous Ken wannabes. He has undergone hundreds of cosmetic procedures to look like Barbie's male counterpart.
Jedlica was raised in a deeply religious household. He came out as gay and has subsequently both married and divorced.
Originally from Switzerland, but now residing in Spain, Aviva Rocks is a "cam girl" who has spent in excess of US$50,000 to make herself look like Barbie.
She has undergone six surgeries to achieve her dream, but has suffered setbacks. Her boyfriend of over six years broke up with her due to her obsession.
This Barbie wannabe is Rachel Evans, from London. She has had 112 procedures to achieve her dream of looking like the Mattel doll.
Her procedures include breast implants, botox injections, and fillers. She has even decorated her residence to make it look like Barbie's Dreamhouse.
Known as the 'Human Barbie,' the Ukrainian model claims that the only modification she has undergone surgically is a breast augmentation.
She wears colored contact lenses and sticks to a strict raw vegetarian diet and workout regime in order to maintain her appearance.
From Los Angeles, Ophelia Vanity has spent in excess of US$35,000 on procedures to make herself look like Barbie.
She is half-Chinese by heritage, but underwent a blepharoplasty procedure on her eyes, which has given her more of a Caucasian appearance.
The Argentinian alternative model underwent numerous surgeries to make himself look like an elf. The cosmetic work cost US$80,000.
He had several face lifts, botox injections, numerous skin lightening treatments, and even several potentially highly dangerous operations to change his eye color.
From East Providence, Rhode Island, Jessica Soares is known as 'Rotting Doll' on social media. She dresses as an alternative doll, and is also known as a gory doll.
This is Soares before she applies her makeup, which takes her around one and a half hours each morning to perfect.
From the Philippines, Herbert Chavez has undergone 19 surgeries to achieve his ambition of looking like Superman, with whom he has been obsessed since the age of five.
He has undergone skin whitening, nose jobs, jaw realignment, liposuction, and pectoral and abdominal implants to be as close in appearance to his hero as possible.
The Brazilian former Versace model has spent over US$500,000 on 30 cosmetic procedures. She has undergone breast augmentation, fillers, and liposuction.
She now recognizes that her plastic surgeries were dangerous and addictive, and while she is happy with the results, she does not want to have any more procedures.
The Swedish glamour model is known as a "human cartoon," due to her desire to have the appearance of a cartoon character.
She has undergone over 100 procedures, including breast augmentation, liposuction, and even radically changing her eye color.
From Los Angeles, Vinny Ohh has spent over US$60,000 to transform his appearance to that of an alien.
The Los Angeles resident has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in an attempt to emulate Barbie, with whom she has been obsessed with since childhood.
A mother of six, she also has a rigorous workout routine that she maintains alongside her cosmetic procedures.
The Italian-Brazilian actor and model underwent a huge number of procedures at great expense to look like Ken.
He has been very successful on Brazilian TV, and has also had success in the world of business.
Originally from Hong Kong, Jonny Dylan now lives in Vancouver, Canada. He spends around US$600 per month to maintain his goal of looking like Ken.
He has regular botox injections and fillers.
See also: Just how dangerous is plastic surgery?
These people transformed themselves into real-life Barbie dolls
The desire to look like Barbie or Ken
LIFESTYLE Barbie movie
The desire to look like Barbie or Ken may be unfathomable to most of us. However, there are several people for whom it is so important they are willing to spend enormous amounts of money to achieve the unusual look. Sometimes these highly risky procedures can go wrong, and yet even this is not always enough to dissuade them from continuing with their mission to attain their modified look.
Take a look through this gallery to learn more about some of these interesting characters!