New York City is loud, expensive, and honestly a little bit terrifying if you’re a teenager trying to make it in the music industry. But for two girls with the same name, it's just the backdrop for one of the most successful rebrandings in toy history. If you've spent any time on Netflix recently, you’ve likely scrolled past Barbie It Takes Two, the CGI series that basically picked up where the 2021 musical movie Big City, Big Dreams left off.
It isn't just another cartoon. It’s a full-on shift in how Mattel handles its flagship icon.
We aren't just looking at one Barbie anymore. We have Barbie "Malibu" Roberts and Barbie "Brooklyn" Roberts. They’re both at the Handler Arts Academy, trying to balance vocal lessons with the reality of living in a city that doesn't care about your California tan. The show feels different because it's grounded—well, as grounded as a show about aspiring pop stars can be.
What Actually Happens in Barbie It Takes Two?
The plot is pretty straightforward but surprisingly fast-paced. Malibu and Brooklyn are best friends who happen to be world-class singers. They’re trying to record a professional demo while navigating the chaos of high school.
It's not all glamorous. In fact, a lot of the episodes revolve around them taking weird odd jobs just to pay for studio time. We’re talking dog walking that goes horribly wrong and delivering pastries for a local café.
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One minute they’re dealing with "First Day Frenzy" at school, and the next, they’re chasing a magician’s prized pigeon across Manhattan. It’s chaotic. It’s funny. And kida relatable if you’ve ever had a dream and a bank account balance of zero.
The Dynamics of the Two Barbies
Most people forget that "Brooklyn" Barbie isn't just a sidekick. She’s a co-lead. Tiana Soleil (and later Tatiana Varria) voices Brooklyn, bringing a level-headed, urban vibe that contrasts perfectly with America Young’s bubbly, slightly-naive Malibu.
- Malibu Roberts: The classic blonde we all grew up with. She’s optimistic, a bit of a fish out of water in NYC, and deeply connected to her family back on the West Coast.
- Brooklyn Roberts: The New York native. She knows the subway, she knows the hustle, and she’s arguably the more grounded of the two.
Their friendship is the actual core of the show. There’s no "mean girl" rivalry between them, which is a breath of fresh air. They lean on each other. When Brooklyn loses her voice before a massive audition, Malibu is the one who finds a way to save the day. It’s about collaboration over competition.
The Reality of the "Two Seasons" Confusion
If you go looking for Season 3, you might get a bit lost in the Netflix algorithm. Barbie It Takes Two officially consists of 26 episodes split into two blocks.
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- Season 1 dropped in April 2022. It set the stage, showing their move to New York and their first attempts at stardom.
- Season 2 arrived in October 2022. This batch got a bit more experimental, featuring a documentary filmmaker who almost ruins their reputation and a wacky game show episode.
There is a frequent misconception that the show ended abruptly. In reality, the "Barbie-verse" just moved on to the next project. Barbie: A Touch of Magic followed in 2023, keeping the same character designs but adding a supernatural twist with a baby Pegasus. If you’re a purist who likes the "slice-of-life" musical vibe, It Takes Two is the peak of that era.
Why the Soundtrack Still Slaps in 2026
You can't talk about this show without the music. Mattel didn't just throw together some MIDI tracks and call it a day. They released a full EP titled Barbie: It Takes Two (Original Series Soundtrack) and then a follow-up "More Barbie" EP.
"Can’t Stop Us" is the standout. It’s an anthem about persistence that actually has a decent production value. Then you have "Step By Step" and "Find My Way Home," which deal with the more emotional side of being a teenager away from family. Honestly, the songs are catchy enough to get stuck in an adult's head for three days straight. Ask any parent; they'll tell you the "It Takes Two" theme song is a permanent earworm.
Behind the Scenes: The Cast and Crew
The show was produced by Mainframe Studios, the same team that has been handling Barbie’s digital evolution for years. They used a specific CGI style that feels "toy-adjacent" but expressive.
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The voice cast is surprisingly deep. You’ve got Greg Chun as George Roberts and Lisa Fuson as Margaret Roberts. Even Ken makes appearances, voiced by Ritesh Rajan. The supporting cast, like the tech-savvy Rafa (Nicolas Roye), adds a layer of modern New York life that makes the world feel inhabited.
Is It Just for Kids?
Look, it’s a TV-G show. It's built for the 5-to-11 demographic. But there’s a nuance to the writing that most people get wrong. It deals with failure.
In the episode "Two Stars Are Born," the girls get a taste of fame and realize it’s mostly just fake lighting and uncomfortable interviews. That’s a fairly sophisticated message for a kids' show. It’s not just "follow your dreams and everything will be perfect." It’s "follow your dreams, but expect to get dye on your skin and lose your luggage along the way."
Actionable Steps for Parents and Fans
If you're looking to dive back into this world or introducing it to a new fan, here is how to get the most out of the Barbie It Takes Two experience:
- Watch in Order: Don't skip Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams. The series literally begins the day after that movie ends. Without the movie, the relationship between the two Barbies feels a bit sudden.
- Check the Mini-Vlogs: Barbie’s YouTube channel has "vlogs" where the characters "talk" to the camera. It adds a weirdly meta layer of character development that isn't always in the main episodes.
- Follow the Timeline: If you finish the 26 episodes and want more, move directly to Barbie: Mermaid Power (the movie) and then into the A Touch of Magic series. It keeps the same voice actors and character models.
- Use the Music: If you’re a teacher or parent, the soundtrack is actually great for "clean" dance parties or motivational background music.
The show might be about dolls, but the themes of friendship, financial struggle (cartoon style), and creative integrity are real. It’s a snapshot of a brand trying to be more inclusive and more modern, and for the most part, it actually works.