England's rugby sensation Ellie Kildunne recently dished on her raucous World Cup celebrations, admitting that her voice ended up sounding "more like Ken than Barbie" in the aftermath. The star full-back shared these candid details on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, alongside rugby personalities Dan Cole, Ben Youngs, and Ruby Tui.
Kildunne reminisced about the whirlwind days following England's triumph over Canada. "We went to Cabbage Patch on the first night," she said. "Second night, we went into London. And yeah, that was crazy mad." Despite the heavy drinking, Kildunne confessed, "I was so overwhelmed by everything that was going on that I couldn't actually get drunk."
"I had a Barbie made of me, and I went to do the commercial appearance for it, and a few of the other girls are there, and you had to do this thing where you looked at the camera and say 'Hi, I'm a Barbie'. Now, first of all, with a northern accent, it doesn’t sound as nice. But on top of that, I’d lost my voice from all the singing and shouting, so I sounded more like Ken than I did Barbie."
Kildunne's vocal transformation wasn't the only highlight she discussed. As part of the "Team Barbie" campaign alongside rugby stars like Ilona Maher, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, and Nassira Konde, Kildunne aims to boost confidence in young girls, with the dolls set to hit shelves in 2026.
The 26-year-old has also been making waves off the field, having been shortlisted as a nominee for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year. This nomination marks her as the first female rugby player to be considered for this prestigious accolade since 2007. Known for her signature cowgirl celebration and having been diagnosed with ADHD in 2024, Kildunne embraces her vibrant personality that adds a unique flair to the sport.
With her star only continuing to rise, Ellie Kildunne remains not just a phenomenal athlete but a vibrant personality who’s reshaping how female athletes are viewed and celebrated in the world of sports.
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England's rugby sensation Ellie Kildunne recently dished on her raucous World Cup celebrations, admitting that her voice ended up sounding "more like Ken than Barbie" in the aftermath. The star full-back shared these candid details on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, alongside rugby personalities Dan Cole, Ben Youngs, and Ruby Tui.
Kildunne reminisced about the whirlwind days following England's triumph over Canada. "We went to Cabbage Patch on the first night," she said. "Second night, we went into London. And yeah, that was crazy mad." Despite the heavy drinking, Kildunne confessed, "I was so overwhelmed by everything that was going on that I couldn't actually get drunk."
"I had a Barbie made of me, and I went to do the commercial appearance for it, and a few of the other girls are there, and you had to do this thing where you looked at the camera and say 'Hi, I'm a Barbie'. Now, first of all, with a northern accent, it doesn’t sound as nice. But on top of that, I’d lost my voice from all the singing and shouting, so I sounded more like Ken than I did Barbie."
Kildunne's vocal transformation wasn't the only highlight she discussed. As part of the "Team Barbie" campaign alongside rugby stars like Ilona Maher, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, and Nassira Konde, Kildunne aims to boost confidence in young girls, with the dolls set to hit shelves in 2026.
The 26-year-old has also been making waves off the field, having been shortlisted as a nominee for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year. This nomination marks her as the first female rugby player to be considered for this prestigious accolade since 2007. Known for her signature cowgirl celebration and having been diagnosed with ADHD in 2024, Kildunne embraces her vibrant personality that adds a unique flair to the sport.
With her star only continuing to rise, Ellie Kildunne remains not just a phenomenal athlete but a vibrant personality who’s reshaping how female athletes are viewed and celebrated in the world of sports.