Rolling in Success: How a Ponca City Native Became a Barbie Movie Star

Hometown Gal Makes Good and Travels the World: Kim Manning - by Marlys Cervantes, Staff Writer

The following article appeared in the January 2024 issue of Ponca City Monthly magazine, which includes hyperlocal stories about Ponca City. Get full access to all online articles, videos and content by becoming a paid subscriber. We offer free and paid subscription plans. Find rack locations to pick up your free print copy here, or subscribe here to get online access plus exclusive content.

“That’s life. It’s all change.”  ~ Gloria, Barbie

While you are pulling together your dreams for the New Year, thinking about what resolutions might help you get there, you can keep in mind the people you know who have made their dreams come true — in many different ways. One such person is former Ponca Citian Kimberly Manning, a young woman whose diverse skills, her ever-expanding creativity, led her to meet one goal after another.

Lately, if you know Manning and have been watching her on social media or elsewhere, you will have seen her a couple of important and interesting places — places that show she understands both the blessings and the hard work associated with her career path. If you saw the hot new film Barbie, she is in the awesomely fun outdoor roller-skating scene, and if you’ve been watching the recent SAG-AFTRA strike, you may have seen her on those lines as well.