Ken to Get Makeover to Win Barbie Back

(andPOP) - Their perfect, plastic, 43-year relationship ended when she dumped him for an Australian surfer dude named Blaine. But Ken is willing to change to get his Barbie back. Is this the greatest love story ever told or what?

The Telegraph reports that Mattel will unveil a radical new look for Ken sometime next spring. Ken, who has been 23 for almost half a century, admits that he has had plastic surgery to "re-sculpt his face" and has not ruled out another operation.

Through a statement from Mattel, Ken ruminates on how his new look will be "something very now" and how his style will reflect his personality, and yet change with his mood. Why is he doing all this? "Time apart has helped me to realize what's important," Ken explains. "Barbie is the love of my life."

This isn't just about getting the girl back - Ken's probably looking out for his own career in the process. Ever since Mattel stopped promoting the couple together, Ken has been languishing at the back of the toy shelves.

Russell Arons, Mattel's marketing VP and Ken's personal manager and publicist - wow! - admits that Ken "has been in conversation" with celebrity stylists, and "a makeover may be just what Ken needs." Oh. Here I was thinking what he needs is the Blue Fairy to make him a real boy.

British stylist Kenny Ho, who has advised the likes of David Beckham and Pierce Brosnan, suggests that Ken needs to go "slick and urban" and be less of a fashion victim. "Ken needs to look effortless and cool without trying too hard. I'm sure Barbie would appreciate a man who spends less time in the bathroom than she does and wouldn't upstage her on a night out." Soccer superstar Ken? Agent 007 Ken? How is that not upstaging?

Lou Ford, the deputy editor of Cosmopolitan, thinks Ken looks gay. I kid you not. "His body and face are good but he is too groomed," she says. "Women today like their men to be in touch with their feminine side and take pride in their appearance. But they still want them to be masculine."

Stylist Phillip Bloch, whose clients include Nicole Kidman, also feels that Ken needs to update his look. "Ken is one of those guys who has too much of one style. You have to be able to change it up - be able to go from Oscars to Emmys to hanging out with friends." I didn't notice Ken at the Oscars last year, did you?

Barbie was not available for comment about Ken's quest for her heart, but apparently a close friend said that "she's curious as to how Ken will change his look. Whether it will make her want him back, we'll have to wait and see."

A Mattel spokesperson didn't go into detail when asked if Ken's makeover was an attempt to spice up the Barbie brand. A report on CNN.com shows that worldwide Barbie sales are falling and shares of Mattel Inc. are down. Barbie has lost market share to those annoying Bratz dolls over the last few years. Maybe she and Ken should get back together and start a reality show for their comeback.