Real-life Ken releases doll doppelganger

Celso Santebañes, a 20-year-old Brazilian model, has spent more than $50,000 (€37,400) in cosmetic procedures to turn himself into a real-life version of Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken.

Santebañes has had four surgeries on his jaw, chin, and nose, plus silicone implants in his chest.

He joins the club of other self-created real-life Kens, including Rodrigo Alves and Justin Jedlica.

Now, coming full circle, Santebañes is releasing his own line of dolls in his likeness. He posted a picture on Instagram of himself and his doll doppelganger, adding the caption: “I never expected to have a toy myself… I went to the city to become a model… I dreamt of being a human puppet, but having one in my image was completely unexpected.”

The Celso doll is set to be released in Los Angeles in September.

Santebañes said his family told him he had a significant resemblance to Ken, and that inspired him to take on his transformation. He gained recognition when he went on a Brazilian talk show and can now charge up to $16,000 for VIP appearances. He is currently talking to producers about a possible reality show. “This is all so magical. My life has changed… I feel like the whole of Brazil is supporting me,” he says.

Although Santebañes says he faces a lot of prejudice, he plans to have more surgeries.

“People are sometimes frightened by the way I look, and stop me to say how much I look like a doll,” he says. “I do suffer a lot of prejudice. But the world is full of judgmental people, I don’t care.

“I think I’m 90% of what I want to be,” he said. “I intend to do more surgeries, but do not know what. For now my investment is being in the gym, for Ken is strong and I am skinny.”