Bratz

• Genre: Children's TV/Movies
• Bratz Website

About

Boy, Barbie looks like a fuddy-duddy compared to MGA Entertainment's singing, dancing and (most of all) shopping "Girls with a Passion for Fashion," the Bratz. Chloe, Sasha, Jade, Yasmin and Roxxi hit the market in 2001, and the tween scene has never been the same. The dolls have met with their share of controversy: parents' groups and the American Psychological Association have criticized them for being too hyper-sexualized for young girls; allegations of racism were leveled over a stereotype-ridden Asian doll; and in 2006, the National Labor Committee announced that employees in a Bratz factory in China were working under sweatshop conditions. But those plucky Bratz didn't let any of their problems get to them. No, they just went and started a band: the Rock Angelz debuted in 2005 with a new line of dolls, a video game and a full-length animated film accompanied by a soundtrack featuring songs by hit pop songwriters who'd logged time with real girls like Hilary Duff. Two more animated films and soundtracks followed, and then, in 2007, the Bratz released their first full-length live action film and a soundtrack complete with an Ashlee Simpson song.

- Rachel Devitt