Laverne Cox Makes History by Inspiring the First Trans Barbie Doll

Celebrity NewsLaverne Cox Makes History by Inspiring the First Trans Barbie Doll"I hope that people can look at this Barbie and dream big like I have in my career."May 26, 2022Laverne Cox BarbieElizabeth Braunstein for Mattel

Laverne Cox just hit a major milestone: becoming a Barbie doll. Mattel, which has previously released dolls based on other inspiring women—there’s an Ashley Graham Barbie, a Zendaya Barbie, etc — included Cox in its Tribute Collection, marking the first time a Barbie doll has been based on a transgender woman.

"It's been a dream for years to work with Barbie to create my own doll," Cox said in a statement. "I can't wait for fans to find my doll on shelves and have the opportunity to add a Barbie doll modeled after a transgender person to their collection. I hope that people can look at this Barbie and dream big like I have in my career. The space of dreaming and manifesting is such a powerful source and leads you to achieve more than what you originally thought was possible."

The design of the doll is credited to Carlyle Nuera and features Cox in a red gown over a sparkly catsuit. The doll is currently available for $40.

Laverne Cox BarbieCourtesy of Mattel

"What excites me most about her being out in the world is that trans young people can see her and maybe get to purchase her and play with her, and know that there's a Barbie made by Mattel, for the first time, in the likeness of a trans person," Cox told People. Referencing the recent spate of legislative and cultural attacks on trans and LGBTQ+ kids, Cox added, "In this environment where trans kids are being attacked… this can also be a celebration of transness, and also a space for them to dream, understand, and be reminded that trans is beautiful."

The Orange Is the New Black star explained that she was involved creatively with the design and execution of the doll. "I was like, 'Can we make her look more like me? And more African American?'" she said of the feedback she gave the team, adding, "And we had a conversation about highlights and lowlights because I'm blonde most of the time now, but I'm a Black girl, so I need a dark root. And we had a whole conversation about how they can't do that, but they could do dark low lights."

Laverne Cox BarbieCourtesy of Mattel

"We couldn't be more excited to celebrate award-winning actress, producer, writer, and LGBTQ+ rights trailblazer Laverne Cox with a doll," Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel, said in a statement. "We are proud to highlight the importance of inclusion and acceptance at every age and to recognize Laverne's significant impact on culture with a Tribute Collection Barbie."

In 2018 a fan launched a petition to get Mattel to make a Laverne Cox Barbie. "Ah that's sweet. I would love to be a Barbie doll," Cox tweeted at the time. Four years later, that dream has been fulfilled.

Twitter content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

In an interview with Today, Cox shared the touching story of how Barbie, specifically, became a vital part of her journey to self-acceptance. "I was telling my therapist how I was really shamed by my mother when I was a kid when I wanted to play with a Barbie doll but I was denied. And I had a lot of shame and trauma about that," she said. "And my therapist said to me, 'It is never too late to have a happy childhood.' She said, 'Go out and buy yourself a Barbie and play with her. There's a little kid that lives inside of you. Give her space to play.' And I did."

Cox said she relayed her therapist's message to her mother and received a special gift that Christmas. "My mother bought me a Barbie doll. And on my birthday, my mother bought me another Barbie doll," she said. "For the next several years, she would always give me Barbies."

I’m not crying, there's just something in my eye.

This story originally appeared on glamour.com. 

More on representation:

  • These Online Communities Are Helping Southeast Asian Women Embrace Their Curly Hair
  • Where Are All the Fat People In Beauty?
  • Finding Gender Euphoria at an Affirming Makeup Class

Now, see what's in this month's Beauty Box:

Don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter.

Elizabeth Logan is Glamour.com's pop culture writer. Previously she has written for Vulture, The Awl, Reductress, Above Average, Indiewire and NoBudge. She is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School Of The Arts and the owner of one black cat. You can (and should!) follow her on twitter at @lizzzzzielogan.KeywordssyndicationNewslaverne coxrepresentationcelebrity

SEA-MALLS | CURATED | QUALITY | VALUE | CONVENIENCE

Find High Quality Products, Carefully Curated from the best Malls for your convenience on https://sea-malls.com/.

Professor Owl carefully selects what’s currently trending; Top Quality, From Crystals to Dresses; If it’s not good enough for Professor Owl, it has no place on https://sea-malls.com/Trusted by Customers across 6 Continents, Professor Owl always says, “Quality and Value are NOT mutually exclusive”.

With Products Always on Sale, Over 100, 000 Five Star Reviews & Always FREE Shipping Globally, https://sea-malls.com/ delivers high quality, trending products at real value & true convenience.

50Pcs Eyelash Brushes Makeup Brushes Disposable Mascara Wands Applicator Multicolors Eye Lashes Cosmetic Brush Makeup Tools

https://sea-malls.com/fifty-disposable-mascara-brushes/

Lash Lift Kit used by Professionals. Eyelash Perming Kit Lash Set.

DIY and save today!

https://sea-malls.com/eyelash-lift-and-perming-kit/

Elegant Magnetic Eyelashes with Magnetic Liquid Eyeliner & Magnetic False Eyelashes & Tweezer Set as well Magnetic Eyeliner with Long False Eyelashes

https://sea-malls.com/magnetic-magnetic-false-eyelashes-and-eyeliner-set/

MD Advanced Lash Growth Serum

https://sea-malls.com/md-advanced-lash-growth-serum/

Originally posted on: https://www.allure.com/story/laverne-cox-first-trans-barbie-doll