The World Has a Pink Paint Shortage, and You Have Barbie to Blame

Yes, you read that headline correctly. Anticipation for the new Barbie movie, which debuts July 21, sparked an unexpected and unprecedented crisis in the world of paint — a shortage of Barbie’s iconic pink florescent paint, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Movie designers bought so much of it to create Barbieland sets that their primary supplier, already low on the color, ran out. “They used as much paint as we had,” Lauren Proud, vice president of global marketing at paint manufacturer Rosco, told The Times. Rosco is “known for its deep ties with Hollywood’s film and television industries,” according to the newspaper.

What Led to the Shortage?

The Barbie movie, known for its dazzling visuals and vibrant color palette, showcases a mesmerizing world filled with shades of pink. From Barbie’s dreamy mansion to her glamorous wardrobe, the movie immerses viewers in a pink-infused wonderland. As a result, pink has become the “it” color, with captivated fans wanting to incorporate it into their lives.

There simply wasn’t enough supply to match unfathomable demand. “The world ran out of pink,” Barbie production designer Sarah Greenwood told Architectural Digest.

How did this happen? According to Proud, Rosco is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted the global supply chain. Additionally, the 2021 deep freeze in Texas caused substantial damage to the materials Rosco uses for its paint production.

Who Was Impacted?

Homeowners who envisioned a niche Barbie pink-themed room found their plans put on hold. The scarcity of the paint forced them to wait for the supply to replenish or consider alternative color schemes. This unexpected turn of events created frustration and disappointment for those eager to bring a touch of Barbie’s world into their homes.

Let this be a lesson: Never doubt the power of Barbie.