They Thought I Was You
Hosts Becca Roth and Lani Harms revisit their childhood obsessions with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, analyzing their work, examining their impact on pop culture, and talking with the people who worked with them. It's the deep dive you've always wanted and the recognition the Olsen Twins always deserved.
They Thought I Was You
A History of the Mary-Kate and Ashley Dolls
In April 2000, Mattel released the very first of what would become the most successful celebrity fashion dolls of all time-- the Mary-Kate and Ashley dolls.
Becca and Lani knew these dolls were a part of the Olsen twins' history, but we didn't realize the enormous scope of these dolls' success until we started researching. We decided we needed to bring in an expert to educate us on all things MKA dolls, so today we are joined by Mary-Kate and Ashley superfan, expert and doll collector Derrick Dobson!
Derrick shares with us what the Mary-Kate and Ashley fandom meant to him growing up, how his sisters (gasp) destroyed his original Olsen collection and made him start over, and walks us through the history of these dolls from their inception to their final and unreleased dolls.
He explains how heavily involved the girls were in the styling and curating of these dolls in the first two years of their release, but how after 2002, their involvement wained and so did the quality of the product. We also discuss the press tour that Mary-Kate (who had just broken up with her boyfriend) and Ashley (whose business savvy was beginning to flourish) went on to promote these dolls on Donny & Marie, Rosie O'Donnell, and the Today Show.
Move over Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, because Mary-Kate and Ashley's dolls are about to blow you out of the water. And if any of you out there know where to find "It's Your Look" dolls, please message Derrick ❤️
Follow Derrick's Doll Collection:
@derricksdollcollection
LINKS WE TALK ABOUT:
Fashion Doll Retrospective, A History of Mary-Kate and Ashley's Dolls
Mary-Kate and Ashley First Doll Commercial
Mary-Kate and Ashley Spa Day Commercial
Mary-Kate and Ashley Curl & Style Doll Commercial (2003)
Mary-Kate and Ashley on Donny & Marie (2000)
Mary-Kate and Ashley on Rosie O'Donnell (2000)
Mary-kate and Ashley on the Today Show (2001)
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com
