Full Name: Barbara "Barbie" Roberts
Home and Origins[]
Barbie was originally marketed as being born and raised in Los Angeles, but later boxes say she was born in Malibu, California. She attended Malibu High. Her opportunity to attend International High came when her archaeologist parents went to China on a dig. She was able to stay with old family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Jenner, in their 15-floor apartment building on New York's Upper West Side on Broadway Street. Nichelle stated Barbie was an "exchange student".
- Read the Locations page for a detailed map of Barbie's location in New York City.
According to the final online conversation in the Gen Beat chatroom, she decided to move from New York City to China so she could be closer to her parents.
Appearance[]
Barbie is known for her long blonde hair, blue eyes, and tall slim figure. Her First Edition doll depicts her with a bit of fringe or bangs in the middle of her head. Her books' photos depict her with darker eyes.
She is considered pretty.
Her first few First Edition dolls had a double heart tattoo, a shaded-in red heart tattoo framed by a light blue heart, on her right ankle. Later dolls were reproduced without it.
She has described her style as "glam". Like Lara, her friends consider her to be "well-put-together" in appearance. Victoria Tori Susie Vicky Burns has noted that Barbie's style is "opposite her own".
Personality[]
Barbie's friends say she is caring and outgoing. She is also described as being vivacious. She is upbeat, bright, and bubbly, making friends easily. She is unassuming and thinks good of people and situations. She has a "sunny" and easygoing personality. She is sweet-natured. She's diplomatic and considered the peacemaker in any group.
Though she is naturally outgoing, she can be a little shy around someone she likes.
She doesn't lose her temper easily, but she does have a strong sense of right and wrong.
She is a hard worker and quite organized. She's naturally independent and courageous.
She is a good problem solver and attentive. She's also rational and clever, thinking about things before she jumps to conclusions.
Barbie is interested in so many things, she can be indecisive, struggling to choose what to wear or even what to eat.
Hobbies and Interests[]
Barbie's hobbies include using her video camera (a gift from her parents) and photography. She likes to make home movies with her friends and she considers herself an "avid amateur photographer". Her fav way to chill is by taking pictures. Her passions include acting and her sisters-Skipper, Stacie, and Kelly. Acting and filming her friends "turns her on".
One of her favorite things to do is watch classic movies with her friends. Her coolest hangout is at the theater. Her favorite film genre is romance. Her other favorite genres are mystery, crime films, and sci-fi. However, she also enjoys movies like The Little Vampire.
Her favorite card game is SPIT.
She loves digging for secrets. She also likes to help people.
Her favorite food is New York-style pizza. She also enjoys cheese fries, bacon burgers, onion rings, and salads, and enjoys eating the fancy cuisine at Sam's Restaurant, such as pumpkin soup, fish with ginger sauce, wild rice, blackberry ice cream, and crunchy cookies. Her least favorite foods are beets and anchovies.
Her two favorite colors are red and pink (according to the book series).
She doesn't like snakes.
She tells Selma Devine that she would never start smoking; she thinks it's disgusting.
Her favorite classes are Speech and Drama. Her least favorite subject is History because she "can't keep dates and times together". Chelsie Peterson and Shawn, Nichelle Williams Watson's older brother, often has to tutor her.
Her favorite saying is "Go For It!" Her Quote for the day is "Be True to yourself!"
She considers her room a great place to watch videos with her friends. She loves her pillow because it's a star like she'll be one day. Barbie says her room has star quality. She often decorates it with collages of her favorite films and inspirational stars.
Her favorite music is Alternative Rock and Pop. Pop music gets Barbie "moving".
Generationgirl.com's Printable Items Listed Barbie's Dance Party Favorites (from the 2000s):
- Falls apart (Sugar Ray)
- Bye Bye Bye (N'Sync)
- Graduation (Vitamin C)
- That's the Way It Is (Celine Dion)
On the Gotta Groove CD-Rom game, Barbie's favorite was a Pop song called "Friends Like We Are".
She likes ballet and can do a perfect pirouette.
While at International High, she took part in putting together the school's magazine/newspaper called Generation Beat, (also once called Generation Girl, according to the First Edition magazine included in the box). Her Generation Beat duty was the Photographer. She was Contributing Editor of Film and Lifestyle. Barbie also covered a "Roving Reporter" section because she's so friendly and can get people to open up about topics. According to her First Edition, Dance Party, and My Room magazines, she also had articles called "What's Cool in New York?" or "What's Happenin' in New York City", "A Day To Remember", and "Movie Madness Makeover". Because she and her friends work on the magazine/newspaper together, she often calls them the "Generation Girls".
Other Talents, Skills, and Traits[]
Barbie is strong in Math.
She's excellent at solving mysteries because she's so attentive.
She is crafty; she is good at sewing.
She can speak Spanish.
She's really good at swing-dance.
Goals, Aspirations, and Accomplishments[]
Barbie's aspiration is to be a famous actress someday. One day, she wants to star in her own feature film. She starred in four school plays. She played Heidi in the Malibu Summer Theater Festival production of Heidi. She played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz on a local cable television show. For two years before the start of the series, she was a magician's assistant to Dundarr The Magnificent at the Malibu Mall's Children's Christmas Festival. She also auditioned for a Crumbly Cookie commercial and an acne cream commercial. She landed a spot in a Dominique Jeans commercial. She landed a starring role at the Templeton Children's Theater in The Curse of the Calico Cat. She, along with her friend Chelsie, also solved the mystery of the "curse" plaguing the theater. According to the official website, Barbie also acted in the school play A Christmas Carol.
For the school musical event, SING OUT!, Barbie was the director.
Barbie assisted Nichelle in uncovering an African Burial Ground under a compound site. They were able to preserve it after unearthing proof of its existence.
She attended an event held in honor of Tori's aunt at the Abrams Art Galleries on Madison Avenue where the singer and entertainer Madonna appeared to be present.
Friendship[]
Barbie believes friendship is important. She had many friends back home in California. Her closest friends in New York City are the Generation Girls and Boy. Barbie often attends major events with all of the Generation Girls. Since she's so friendly and unassuming, she gets along well with all of them. She's always listening to their stories and finds them all fascinating in some way. Of course, being the diplomat of the group, she often feels caught-in-the-middle when they disagree, especially because she doesn't want to lose any of her friends.
Barbie is responsible for most of the main group meeting and becoming friends.
Barbie also made many other friends while being apart of the Generation Beat magazine, putting on plays at school, and working in commercials and plays outside of school. See Gen Girl Universe Characters for more information about her friends and associates.
Tori[]
Barbie first met Tori on a New York Subway (though she didn't know her name at the time) after she helped Barbie stand up to a rude man. She helped Tori clear her name when Lara accused her of stealing her paint box. They both joined the Generation Beat journalism team. Tori also helped Barbie move the Jenners' furniture while she was practicing for her Crumbley Cookies commercial audition. They both attended the Central Park Triathlon to cheer on their friend Ana and they eat at their favorite diner Eatz together all the time.
When Tori goes to check one of the loose tiles the Generation Girls often used to leave notes under in Bending the Rules, Barbie agrees to go with her, even though it's out of her way. Barbie also met with Tori and Lara to visit the Modern Museum of Art when Lara was trying to complete an Art History assignment in order to impress Mr. Harris. Tori invited Barbie to her Aunt Tessa's high-profile Art Gallery event on Madison Avenue, showing how close they are.
Barbie believes Tori is courageous and kind, "fair-dinkum", as well as strong and sure-footed (especially when rock-climbing). She compares Tori's accent to the lead character in Crocodile Dundee.
Lara[]
Barbie assisted Lara after Tori knocked her down while skating towards school. She helped Lara find her way to International High. Since then, they've been good friends. Barbie considers Lara her first friend. Lara handed her a painted card as a gift to thank her for her help. Barbie also assisted Lara with getting her paint box back after a thief stole it. They both joined the Generation Beat newspaper/magazine/web team. When Lara had her artwork reviewed by a Harvard University admissions board member, she confided in Barbie. She also shared with Barbie much of her personal family life and gave hints early on about her parents' marital struggles.
Lara helped Barbie while she was practicing for her Crumbley Cookies audition, videotaping everything so Barbie could review it later. They often hang out at Eatz, the students' favorite diner, and have attended events together, such as the Central Park Triathlon and Tori's aunt's art gallery event. Barbie visited the Modern Museum of Art with Lara so she could find a unique modern artist for her Art History assignment.
Barbie describes Lara's accent as "cute". She is fascinated and impressed by Lara's worldly experience, ability to speak many languages, and her family backstory. She also believes Lara is an amazing artist.
Ana[]
Barbie was the first to introduce herself to Ana, who sat with both Barbie and Lara during the "Zero Day" orientation picnic. They both ended up having the same lunch and Biology class, which allowed them to talk more and develop a closer bond. Ana helped move furniture at the Jenner home so Barbie could practice for her Crumbley Cookies audition. Barbie, along with their teacher Mr. Toussaint, convinced Ana to join Generation Beat, the school's newspaper/magazine/website.
Of all of Ana's Generation Girl friends, Barbie was one of two of them to attend all of Ana's sports events that Fall, filming everything. When Ana was having difficulty with her mean-spirited rival, Barbie tried to ease the tension and supported her when Clarisse shoved her, causing Ana to break her ankle. Ana even stated that she felt Barbie always knows how to make her feel better. When Ana was angry with Blaine, Barbie supported her all the way then as well, though she found a way to bring Blaine and Ana back together again after hearing his side of the story. Barbie eventually started joining Ana (and Nichelle) for a swim every morning to help Ana train for the Swim Team in the Spring.
Barbie also often hangs out with Ana at Eatz, the I.H. students' favorite diner, and they attended Tori's aunt's art gallery event together.
Barbie considers Ana to be vivacious and naturally attractive. She observes that Ana appears to work out a lot, with strong tanned arms, calloused hands, and close-tipped fingernails. Barbie also feels that Ana is a "no nonsense type" of person who pushes herself extremely hard in sports.
Chelsie[]
Barbie made friends with Chelsie during a Welcome Group class experiment. They both got to know one another better by partnering up on a writing assignment, with the subject centering on each others' lives. Since then, Chelsie and Barbie have developed a very close relationship. They both have lunch and English class together. They also both joined Generation Beat together. When Barbie got the audition for the Crumbley Cookies commercial, she talked on the phone with Chelsie longer than anyone else about it. Chelsie also helped Barbie track down Tori when Lara suspected Tori of being a thief.
They've also attended after-school events together, such as the Central Park Triathlon and Tori's aunt's art gallery event.
Barbie finds Chelsie to be sweet and shy with perfect curls, an unblemished face, and lovely hazel eyes. She finds all of her interests and talents surprising and wonderful.
Nichelle[]
Barbie got to know Nichelle through their shared lunch period and through her other Generation Girl friends. They also both joined the Generation Beat newspaper/magazine/website. Nichelle helped Barbie practice for her Crumbley Cookies commercial audition by playing her opposite, "Brand X Boy", while Barbie played the hero "Chipper Girl".
She and Nichelle teamed up to support Ana when she was training for the Fall Track Meet, swim season in the spring, and the Central Park Triathlon, as well as experiencing difficulty with her rival, Clarisse Stephenson. The two of them attended all of Ana's sports events that Fall together. She, Nichelle, and Ana all swam every morning before school to help Ana train for the Swim Team in the Spring. She, Nichelle, Ana, and Lara often meet up at Nichelle's or Ana's locker in-between classes.
They often hang out at Eatz, the I.H. students' favorite diner, and also attended Tori's aunt's art gallery event together.
Barbie found Nichelle to be easy to be around, but found her to care deeply about things, too. She also discovered she had many hidden talents, including modeling.
Blaine[]
Barbie first met Blaine at Eatz, the International High students' favorite hang-out. He'd been romantically interested in Ana, but he asked to study with her and her friends.
Since then, Blaine has been friendly with the Generation Girls. When Ana was angry at him, Barbie listened to his side of the story and was able to help him settle the issue with her. He teamed up with Barbie and Nichelle to support Ana during the Track Meet, Central Park Triathlon, and while Ana was having difficulties with her rival Clarisse.
Mari[]
Romantic Interests[]
Barbie's ideal guy is someone who is shy, cute, and a little vulnerable. She likes guys who compel others to "care for them". Randall Zaleski, a shy but cute sketch comic artist with a disheveled appearance, appears to be her main love interest throughout the book series.
However, she has noted that Nichelle's older brother Shawn is very attractive. She also seemed slightly interested in a cute new junior that transferred into the school, mentioned in Stage Fright. She also found herself crushing on her co-star Bret Sullivan, a handsome actor in his twenties, who she wished was a little younger.
Gangly and clumsy Fletcher Minton had a huge crush on Barbie, and his "crushing" caused him to be extremely clumsy during the SING OUT! rehearsals. He would follow her around everywhere. Eventually, he got over his crush on Barbie and formed a crush on Melissa Larkin.
Barbie's School Schedule[]
Some of the books conflict with the scheduling
- 1st Period History Mr. Budge with Nichelle Williams Watson
- 1st Period English Mr. Henri Toussaint, Room 555 with Ana Maria Marissa Suarez
- 2nd Period English Mr. Henri Toussaint, Room 555 with Chelsie Peterson
- 2nd Period French with Ana Maria Marissa Suarez
- 3rd Period Math with Chelsie Peterson
- 3rd Period Biology Mr. Clayton with Ana Maria Marissa Suarez
- 4th Period Lunch with Nichelle Williams Watson, Chelsie Peterson, Ana Maria Marissa Suarez
- 5th Period ?
- 6th Period Physical Ed. Ms. Krieger
- 7th Period ?
Barbie's Family and Family Friends[]
- Mr. Sam Jenner
- Mrs. Terri Jenner
- Mrs. and Mr. Roberts (Mom and Dad)
- Skipper Roberts
- Stacie Roberts
- Kelly Roberts
Lines she was included in[]
- Generation Girl First edition
- Generation Girl Dance Party
- Generation Girl My Room
- Generation Girl Gear
- Miscellaneous Gen Girl Dolls and Collection
Release and Media[]
She was released in 1998. Two books entitled New York Here We Come and Stage Fright by Melanie Stewart were about her personal adventures, but she was also featured in ten other books. Her adventures have continued on the official website and on the CD-Rom.
- New York, Here We Come
- Stage Fright
- Generationgirl.com
- Generation Girl Gotta-Groove CD-Rom