Representative images (Photo credits: Twitter)
This trend is part of the growing popularity of “Barbiecore”, but with a touch. Instead of simply dressing in pink or looking like Barbie, users are transformed into all kinds of characters, from space explorers to fantastic warriors, have boxed like retro toys from the 90s and 2000.
Users start by writing an prompt in chatgpt with the generation of activated images (this is available exclusively on the more and pro plans of chatgpt). An example of a prompt could say: “Make an image of this person as a space action figure in a toy box. Add stars and planets in the background. Give them a helmet, a jetpack and write the words:” Explore the unknown “on the box.”
You can download your own photo to guide the AI, saying what to keep the image, like your hairstyle or your outfit. Then you can request additional keys such as a logo, an invented name or even false food statistics.
If you don’t like the first result, you can change your prompt and try again until it seems right.
This trend began to gain popularity at the beginning of 2025, especially on Tiktok. Many creators have published their portraits made in AI with hashtags like #barbieboxchallenge.