Toy manufacturer Mattel honored prominent women such as Viola Davis, Dame Helen Mirren, Shania Twain, and Kylie Minogue with unique Barbie dolls to celebrate International Women’s Day and Barbie’s 65th birthday.
Unlike regular Barbie dolls, these one-of-a-kind creations are not for sale but have been specially gifted to each woman as a tribute to their outstanding accomplishments. The unique dolls aim to inspire young girls by showcasing remarkable women’s stories, reinforcing the idea that “you can be anything,” according to Mattel.
Viola Davis, the only EGOT recipient among the new role models, expressed her desire for Barbie to make her younger self feel valued and acknowledged. Helen Mirren, an Academy Award winner and L’Oreal spokesperson, shared her surprise and gratitude, considering it a huge compliment at this stage in her life.
Country superstar Shania Twain and Australian singer Kylie Minogue both took to social media to express their joy and disbelief at being honored with Barbie dolls. Shania Twain’s doll replicates her iconic all-black ensemble from the 1999 music video for “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” Meanwhile, Minogue shared a picture of her doll, playfully calling it “Padam Barbie.”
Other notable women from around the world, including Brazilian content creator Maira Gomez, Mexican filmmaker Lila Avilés, Japanese model and TV personality Nicole Fujita, and German comedian activist Enissa Amani, also received dolls as part of this special occasion.
Mattel’s executive, Kim Culmone, emphasized the importance of girls seeing women telling their own stories, writing their narratives, and living out their dreams. This initiative aligns with Barbie’s mission to inspire stories that shape the future.
As part of the celebration, Mattel announced a new anniversary collection featuring Barbie Career 65th Anniversary dolls, a doll inspired by the original 1959 Barbie doll, and 2024 Fashionistas dolls paying homage to Barbie fashion through the years.
