Kelly Roberts (later named Chelsea Roberts) was the younger sister of Barbie, Skipper and Stacie and the older sister of Krissy.
History[]
Kelly was introduced in 1995 and retired in 2010. She was replaced by Chelsea in 2011. According to Chelsea's official Mattel introduction, Kelly and Chelsea are the same character, only with a new name. Kelly's body style changed around late 2008 to have less short and stubby arms and look older. A doll very similar to Kelly but more toddler like is now featured in the "Barbie: I Can Be" toy line and the "Skipper Babysitters Inc" toy line. She was featured in various Barbie Movies and even had a Kelly's Dream Club Mini Series. Kelly appears to be between 3 and 5 years old. In the dolls original introduction Kelly was meant to be a baby or toddler, around 0-2 years old as the original set came with infant care pieces, such as a crib, baby bottle, diapers and a pacifier.
As more sets came out throughout the 90's the Kelly character would begin to age up, at first involving sets aimed at taking care of Kelly, such as a nursery set with a crib, bathtub, baby themed toys and a changing table, overtime more sets would come out involving a bath time set, a potty training set, her stroller, a playground set where Kelly fits into a swing and pushing a doll stroller where its said "Kelly started walking!" after 1999 the Kelly doll began to age up, keeping the original body mold (some did change in terms of articulation depending on sets but not in height) such as Kelly's nursery school, and a set where Kelly looses her first baby tooth. Kelly has blonde hair and blue eyes like Barbie. Friends of Kelly were made with different skin, hair, eye colors and names.
Relationships[]
- Barbie (Eldest Sister)
- Stacie (Older Sister)
- Skipper (Older Sister)
- George Roberts (Father)
- Margaret Roberts (Mother)
- Krissy (Younger Sister)
Gallery[]
Princess Kelly Doll from Princess and The Pauper
New body model for Kelly 2008-2010
Kelly, Keeya, and Chelsie in their clubhouse at Kelly Club Everythinggirl website
.jpg "Kelly (6)")
Potty Training Kelly
Barbie and Kelly Fun Treats
Birthday Fun Kelly
Christmas Kelly doll
Kelly's Dream Club Video Giftset w-Dolls Commercial (2002)
.png "Kelly (25)")
_Front.jpg "Kelly (26)")
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As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of dolls and characters, particularly those from the Barbie universe, my extensive knowledge allows me to provide detailed insights into the history and evolution of iconic figures. Let me shed light on the fascinating narrative surrounding Kelly Roberts, later known as Chelsea Roberts, a key member of the renowned Roberts Family in the Barbie franchise.
Kelly Roberts made her debut in 1995, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in the Barbie universe. However, her journey was not static, as evidenced by her retirement in 2010 and subsequent replacement by Chelsea in 2011. The transition from Kelly to Chelsea is a noteworthy evolution, as indicated in Mattel's official introduction, which clarifies that the characters are essentially the same, with Chelsea emerging as a rebranded version of Kelly.
A crucial aspect of Kelly's character development is the transformation in her physical appearance. Around late 2008, her body style underwent changes, characterized by longer limbs and a more mature look, departing from the initial short and stubby arms. This alteration reflects the dynamic nature of doll design, aligning with the evolving tastes and preferences of collectors and enthusiasts.
In the early years, Kelly was portrayed as a baby or toddler, with the original sets featuring infant care items such as cribs, baby bottles, diapers, and pacifiers. However, as the '90s progressed, a shift occurred in the narrative, with sets aimed at aging up Kelly. Nursery sets, bath time accessories, potty training sets, strollers, and playground sets contributed to this progression, showcasing Kelly's development from a baby to a more mature character. The storyline even extended to significant milestones like losing her first baby tooth, demonstrating a nuanced approach to character growth.
Kelly's appearances in various Barbie Movies and the Kelly's Dream Club Mini Series further solidify her integral role in the Barbie narrative. Blonde-haired and blue-eyed, Kelly shares a familial resemblance with Barbie, forming a cohesive and relatable Roberts Family. Notably, Kelly's circle of friends expands the diversity of the Barbie world, featuring characters with different skin tones, hair colors, eye colors, and names.
In terms of relationships, Kelly is intricately connected to the Roberts Family, with Barbie as her eldest sister, followed by Stacie and Skipper as older siblings. George Roberts serves as the father figure, and Margaret Roberts is the mother. Additionally, Krissy completes the family as Kelly's younger sister.
To encapsulate Kelly's multifaceted character, one can explore the diverse range of dolls and sets she inspired, from Princess Kelly Doll to Potty Training Kelly, offering enthusiasts a comprehensive experience within the Barbie universe. The evolution of Kelly's character exemplifies the dynamic nature of doll storytelling and its ability to captivate audiences across generations.
