Interscope Records has struck a deal with Hasbro, the toy maker, to create a line of fashion dolls modeled on the six members of the Pussycat Dolls. The toy line — which aims to mimic the act's playfully risqué style — is expected to be on sale by this year's holiday season. Hasbro executives estimate the dolls, intended for children aged 6 to 9, will be priced around $15, with the label receiving a royalty on sales.
Managing to score at toy retailers would illustrate how elastic the aura of a manufactured pop act can be, as the Pussycat Dolls straddle the image of late-night lounge dancers and child-friendly pop singers at the same time.
Music executives have been eager to appeal to fans who are (they hope) too young to download music illegally.
"Once it's branded as a tween thing, it's very hard to flip it up. But what the older sister and older brother like definitely trickles down to the kids. That's what's happening to the Pussycat Dolls."
