Malia, Sasha dolls have new names

WASHINGTON: "Marvelous Malia" and "Sweet Sasha", the two plush dolls that did not put a smile on US first lady Michelle Obama's face, have had name changes, the dolls' maker said in a statement.

"In deference to the wishes of the first family, Ty Inc has officially retired the Ty Girlz named 'Marvelous Malia' and 'Sweet Sasha'. We have renamed the dolls 'Marvelous Mariah' and 'Sweet Sydney'," Ty Warner, founder and owner of Ty Inc, said on Tuesday.

The dolls, which hit stores in January, before Malia and Sasha Obama's dad was sworn in were the first African-American dolls in the Ty Girlz collection, joining the likes of Bubbly Britney (Spears), Lucky Lindsay (Lohan) and Precious Paris (Hilton).