Rise of the Fembots

What do Shawn Southwick, Heidi Montag, and Kate Hudson have in common? They’re fembots—walking, talking Barbie dolls that are dominating tabloid headlines this spring. Rebecca Dana on the newest category of celebrity.

Published Apr. 18 2010 8:37PM EDT

articles/2010/04/19/rise-of-the-fembots/dana-fembots_94858_ean5nm — AP & Getty Images

Someone once asked Larry King if he was at all anxious about marrying Shawn Southwick, a woman 26 years his junior. “If she dies, she dies,” the CNN host, now 76, replied.

Click the Image to View Our Gallery of Celebrity Fembots

articles/2010/04/19/rise-of-the-fembots/dana-fembots_94858_saoyuj

What that Reaganesque rejoinder misses, besides humor, is something...

Rebecca Dana

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.

Rise of the Fembots

What do Shawn Southwick, Heidi Montag, and Kate Hudson have in common? They’re fembots—walking, talking Barbie dolls that are dominating tabloid headlines this spring. Rebecca Dana on the newest category of celebrity.

We think “subscriber” would look good on you. Join now to unlock access.

Don't miss this subscriber exclusive article.

Monthly Plan

$1 Trial

Yearly Plan

$35 Year One

Ad Free Plan

$100 per year

Rebecca Dana