Previously, we heard that Ty was making Sasha and Malia dolls. Now, the company claims the dolls have nothing to do with the President's daughters, and the names were chosen simply because "they're beautiful names."

The 12-inch dolls, named "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia," are part of the company's "TyGirlsz" collection and appear to be teenagers, with breasts and "bronze" skin. "There's nothing on the dolls that refers to the Obama girls," said spokeswoman Tania Lundeen. "It would not be fair to say they are exact replications of these girls. They are not." Ty, the company behind the Beanie Baby craze, shipped the Malia and Sasha dolls to retailers early this month in limited supply, of course. [Newser]

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