As the whole world turns pink, Fil-Am actress Ana Cruz Kayne, is no exception.
Related: NYLON Manila Fit Picks: Barbie Pink
For the release of this summer’s most anticipated movie, Barbie, the whole world is turning pink. The Greta Gerwig-directed masterpiece and the star-studded cast, featuring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, and many more — totally worth all the attention. Guess what? Among all the Barbies in the spotlight, Filipino fans are totally fixated on one: Supreme Court Justice Barbie.
Portrayed by the talented Filipino-American actress, Ana Cruz Kayne, she reimagined the aesthetic and represented Filipinas on the pink premiere carpets. In case you didn’t know, this Barbie is a Bulaqueña! Wait, it gets better. Not only did she slay in a Filipiniana-inspired dress in the film, but Anna also hauled the butterfly sleeves and Terno straight to Hollywood. Here’s everything you should know.
This Barbie is Embracing Her Heritage and Representing the Philippines
While leading actress Margot Robbie has been recreating iconic Barbie outfits, her co-stars have taken more experimental routes. Of course, Ana Cruz Kayne killed it — no exceptions! The actress paid homage to the Philippines with modern iterations of the traditional Filipino dress aka the Terno. These matching sets are characterized by butterfly sleeves, and Ana has proudly worn them twice during Barbie’s pink premieres. “I wanted to represent where my mom is from and where I spent so much of my life in the Philippines, so this is our Barbie. This is mixed-Asian Barbie, and she’s here,” the actress says in the film’s Hollywood Premiere.
@gma Actress #AnaCruzKayne on representation in the new #Barbie ♬ original sound – Good Morning America
Come On, Barbie! Let’s Turn Heads in Hollywood
At Barbie’s pink premiere in Los Angeles, Ana Cruz Kayne flaunted her heritage, strutting in an all-pink ensemble. The outfit was next-level with a beaded Terno top and a glamorous floor-length fringe skirt, earning enthusiastic praise as the “dreamiest Balintawak.” The Terno bodice was created by none other than the FIlipiniana fashion designer Dennis Lustico. Adding a touch of Filipino pride, Dennis revealed that the actress specifically requested to wear “something Filipino” for this much-awaited event.
Continuing her tribute to Filipino fashion, the Little Women actress turned heads once again at the London premiere of Barbie. In another custom piece by Dennis Lustico, Ana served an East-meets-West Balintawak top with blush pink appliqués. Seriously, she’s not just representing Filipino fashion—she’s owning it.
All About Supreme Court Justice Barbie
Just when we thought we couldn’t get enough of Barbies, the film serves its fans with Supreme Court Justice Barbie. Fun fact: Ana Cruz Kayne has always taken on legal-savvy roles. Before portraying Supreme Court Justice Barbie in the film, she appeared in a Netflix legal drama, Partner Track, as an attorney. And guess what? In her upcoming series Painkiller, the talented actress also stars as a young lawyer. But wait, here’s the real tea about Ana: she proudly wears her heritage on her sleeves—literally! Collaborating with the award-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran, Ana infused her personal style and identity throughout the Barbie movie. Talk about a powerful statement! In a special scene, the actress honors her family by having Supreme Court Justice Barbie donning the iconic butterfly sleeves. Can you believe it? We are finally witnessing representation on the big screens
@hellareya #greenscreen i’m so happy for the filipino community because we will FINALLY have the representation we deserve in the upcoming Barbie movie. Make sure to see Filipina Jewish Actress, Ana Cruz Kayne, in BARBIE starting July 21st!! 💕 🇵🇭#anacruzkayne #barbie #barbiegirl #barbiethemovie #filipino #filipinorepresentation #filipinoamerican #filam #foryou #fyp #filipinocommunity ♬ Barbie World (with Aqua) [From Barbie The Album] – Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice & Aqua
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer awesomeness of the Barbie movie hitting those pink premieres all over the world. This film goes beyond cinematic charms; it’s all about celebrating cultural diversity and embracing heritage. All thanks to Ana Cruz Kayne for healing every Filipina’s inner child.
