Danish pop group Aqua calling it quits

Group famous for 1997 smash hit 'Barbie Girl' says it's the right time to stop.

Published May 18, 2026  •  2 minute read

Danish pop group Aqua Photo by Getty Images

Come on Barbie, no more parties.

Article content

After three decades in the music industry, Aqua, the dance pop group from Denmark famous for its 1997 hit Barbie Girl, announced it was breaking up, via a statement on Instagram.

Article content

Article content

“AQUA has been such a huge part of our lives, and together we’ve had the chance to experience more than we ever dared to dream of.

Article content

“We’ve traveled the world countless times, met so many wonderful people, sung together with millions of you, and shared memories that we will carry with us forever.”

Aqua thanks the fans

The group of Lene Nystrom, Rene Dif and Soren Rasted thanked fans for their decades of support.

“From the bottom of our hearts: thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey over the past 30 years. Thank you for the love, the energy, the support, and for all the moments we’ve shared together. Nothing but love and gratitude from here on.”

Time to move on, group says

The group members, now in their 50s, say it’s the right time to say goodbye and protect the music.

“When you’ve been together for this long, you also learn when it’s time to protect what you’ve created together. For us, this feels like the right moment to say goodbye, while the memories are still strong, and while the love for the music, the story, and each other remains intact.”

Article content

Controversial single

The group took the world by storm with it’s popular and catchy hit Barbie Girl from their 1997 album Aquarium, lampooning the doll with lyrics, “I’m a blonde bimbo girl in a fantasy world.” Mattel, the company that makes Barbie, didn’t appreciate the song and sued Aqua’s then label MCA Records, claiming the single violated Barbie’s trademark and sexualized the toy. A judge dismissed the lawsuit, saying it was protected as a parody. Mattel eventually changed its stance on the song, since using it to promote the toy and including a version of it in the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

Article content