Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LIFE IN PLASTIC — Now that's how you party, Barbie.
BYU gymnast Rebekah Ripley set the gym-ternet ablaze over the weekend at the inaugural Super16 Gymnastics Meet at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The senior from St. George became an overnight sensation with her floor routine set to a version of the 1997 classic "Barbie Girl" by Aqua.
Ripley, who competes in the all-around, went plastic with her unique blend of flips, twists and quirky dance moves that mimicked the doll-like movements of the titular Mattel character to the usual required athleticism of a Division I routine while wearing a DonJoy orthopedic knee brace over her left leg.
This Barbie-inspired floor routine by @BYU_Gymnastics' Rebekah Ripley is so fun 🤩
— espnW (@espnW) January 9, 2023
(via @ozoneleos) pic.twitter.com/nsnV5SWEyT
And the senior who is majoring in advertising did it all while rocking a tricked out, bling-emblazoned blue leotard.
In the era of name, image and likeness deals across college athletics, Ripley deserves a deal with the creators of the "Barbie" film due to hit theaters on July 21. At the very least, a shout out from the film's co-stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling may suffice.
Led by senior bars specialist Anyssa Alvarado and beam specialist Elease Rollins, BYU finished fourth in the season-opening meet with a final score of 193.775. The Cougars return to Utah to compete in the fourth annual Rio Tinto Best of Utah meet with Utah, Utah State and Southern Utah on Friday at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.
Yesterday's Have You Seen This?
