Barbie
It’s not easy to shop for someone who is turning 93. He or most likely she has everything they want or need. That may be especially true if they’re an EGOT. With that kind of hardware around, do they really need another bauble?
But Mattel came up with a good way of recognizing Rita Moreno as she turns 93 on Dec. 11. She’s getting her own Barbie doll, part of the Barbie Tribute Collection. With a suggested retail price of $40, the doll will be available in the Mattel Shop beginning Nov. 20.
Despite the twin obstacles of sexism and discrimination that she faced as a woman of color on her self-made path to stardom, Moreno emerged as one of the very few Latin movie stars in the Golden Age of Hollywood. (She was born in Puerto Rico and lived there until she was five.) In 1977, Moreno became just the third person to complete the EGOT (following composer Richard Rodgers and actress Helen Hayes). Moreno was just 45 at the time. She was the youngest person to EGOT until 2014, when Robert Lopez achieved the feat at 39.
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“I was a girl who decided to go for it, and despite the challenges I faced, I never gave up on my dreams,” Moreno said in a statement. “That’s what I hope this doll inspires in each and every girl today: to live their life with courage and resilience so that they can make their dreams a reality. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Barbie to bring this doll to life, and I hope it serves as a reminder to embrace your limitless possibilities and pursue your passions because when you embrace them, you’re bound to go far.”
The Barbie Rita Moreno doll wears an elegant gown that echoes many designs Moreno has worn on the red carpet. Barbie worked closely with Moreno to sculpt a doll in proper reflection of her likeness, working with the star from the initial design to the final touches.
Rita Moreno
Mattel
“It’s an honor to celebrate Rita Moreno as the latest addition to our Barbie Tribute Collection,” Krista Berger, svp of Barbie and global head of dolls, Mattel, said in a statement. “As one of the few performers to achieve EGOT-status stardom, she has shattered stereotypes and barriers for Latinas in the entertainment industry and beyond.”
The Barbie Tribute Collection was conceived to celebrate visionaries for their contributions, impact and legacy as trailblazers. The series kicked off in August 2021 by paying tribute to TV legend Lucille Ball. The Tribute Collection has since recognized such diverse figures as designer Vera Wang and actress, producer, writer and LGBTQ+ advocate Laverne Cox.
Moreno isn’t the oldest person upon to have a Barbie doll made her in her honor. Barbie honored Queen Elizabeth II with a Barbie Tribute Collection doll in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The Queen was 95 at the time.
Nor is she the first Latina to have a Barbie doll made in her honor. Barbie continues expanding Latin representation in its doll collection, including the Isabel Allende Inspiring Women doll that launched in September 2024.
Moreno isn’t even the first EGOT recipient to have a Barbie doll made in her honor. Barbie previously honored Audrey Hepburn with a doll, dressed in an outfit she wore in her iconic, Oscar-nominated performance in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In March, Barbie celebrated International Women’s Day and the brand’s 65th birthday by honoring Viola Davis and other storytellers with a one-of-a-kind role model doll made in their likeness. (These dolls were not available for purchase.)
Additional accolades Moreno has received include the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, the National Medal of Arts in 2009, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2013, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2015, and a Peabody Award in 2019.
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Barbie released its first-ever Diwali doll on Friday (Oct. 4) in collaboration with Indian fashion designer Anita Dongre. The Barbie Diwali doll commemorates the annual celebration popular in Indian culture and known as the festival of lights (the word Diwali means “row of lights” in Hindi).
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Barbie’s Diwali doll ($40) is dressed in a festive, Moonlight Bloom set with a choli top, floral Koti vest and lehenga skirt adorned with dahlias, jasmine and Indian lotus symbolizing strength and beauty, according to a press release sent to Billboard. The doll accessorizes with golden bangles and shimmering earrings.
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Barbie Diwali Doll by Anita Dongre Wearing Festival of Lights Look
“In celebration of Diwali, Barbie and I are both encouraging fans around the world to celebrate the beautiful heritage of Indian fashion and culture,” Dongre said in a statement. “My brand has always been driven by a mission to empower through fashion, and as the ultimate symbol of women empowerment, partnering with Barbie to create the Barbie Diwali doll couldn’t be a more perfect alignment of our values.”
“We are dedicated to reflecting the stories young girls see in the world around them through Barbie, and we couldn’t be more honored to partner with renowned Indian couturier Anita Dongre to create a doll that furthers this mission,” said Lalit Agarwal, country manager, Mattel India. “Through the Barbie Diwali doll, Barbie is thrilled to showcase India’s vibrant cultural heritage on a global stage while continuing to celebrate the power and beauty of diversity.”
Diwali is one of the biggest Hindu celebrations, held in India and other countries around the globe including the U.S. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, however Diwali celebrations have been known to last for multiple days.
Barbie’s Diwali doll will be released on Dec. 13. The doll is up for pre-order at Amazon and Mattel Shop and will also be available at Walmart and Target.
For more Barbies and Barbie merch, check out the Juan Gabriel Barbie Doll along with other musician-inspired Barbies and the Barbie x Stanley collection.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Calling all Barbie fans! Mattel is celebrating the legendary Mexican singer-songwriter and actor Juan Gabriel with a signature Barbie doll ahead […]
Kelly Clarkson heightened the emotion of an already emotional track during her popular Kellyoke segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Friday (March 29), taking on Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Takin’ a drive, I was an ideal/ Looked […]
On Sunday (Feb. 4), Lainey Wilson scored her first Grammy, taking home best country album for Bell Bottom Country. It previously won album of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards and at the Country Music Association Awards — becoming just the ninth album to win all three awards. Wilson has had a […]
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This Barbie is dropping a coffee table book. Barbie star Margot Robbie and her stylist Andrew Mukamal teamed with fashion photographer Craig McDean to release Barbie: The World Tour, a coffee table book of Barbie-inspired looks from the movie’s press run including never-before-seen photos.
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The Barbie movie press run was cut short due to the writer’s and actor’s strikes last year, so Robbie and Mukamal came up with the idea to photograph the looks “exactly as they were meant to be curated,” per the book’s description.
“This book was an idea I had in my living room when I started dreaming about Margot’s wardrobe for the Barbie press tour in March 2023. I could have never imagined just a few months later we’d be in the studio shooting this project with the team of our dreams,” Mukamal wrote on Instagram on Monday (Jan. 22). The post goes on to thank Robbie for taking him on “this wild ride” and trusting his vision.
“None of this would have been possible without your unwavering faith and confidence in me and my vision for what I knew would be a project that would change my life,” he wrote. “This book is a labor of love, dedicated to all the Barbie lovers and fashion fans around the world. Hope you enjoy.”
In the book, fans will get to see the strapless, trumpet-style Schiaparelli dress that Robbie wore to the Los Angeles Barbie movie premiere. The vintage look was inspired by Solo Spotlight Barbie.
Robbie’s pale pink Vivienne Westwood gown (inspired by Enchanted Evening Barbie) from the London premiere will also be featured in the book along her vintage Chanel jacket that she wore to the airport with matching, pink Streamline luggage and other must-see photos.
The highly anticipated Barbie movie (stream for for free on Max) became the top grossing film of 2023 raking in $1.44 billion at the box office. The Oscar-nominated comedy follows Barbie (Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) on a life-changing journey into the real world.
Robbie and Mukamal poured over some of Barbie’s “most iconic outfits” to recreate looks for the press tour including vintage pieces and custom creations from the likes of Giorgio Armani, Donatella Versace and other fashion designers.
Barbie: The World Tour will be released on March 19, but it’s not the only Barbie book coming soon. Barbie: Her Inspiration, History and Legacy, out April 9, is described as a “stunning tribute to the beloved pop culture icon.”
For more Barbie gear, check out the cutest Barbie movie merch to shop, Barbie Crocs and collectible dolls inspired by the movie.
Barbie: The World Tour is available for pre-order at retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound Bookshop and rizzoliusa.com.
Pre-order the book below.
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Billie Eilish added another level of introspection to the Barbie movie with “What Was I Made For?.”
“What Was I Made For?” won best original song at the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards, and is nominated for record of the year, song of the year, best pop solo performance, best song written for visual media and best music video at the upcoming (Feb. 4) Grammy Awards.
If you need a guide to follow along with Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?,” find the lyrics below:
I used to float, now I just fall downI used to know but I’m not sure nowWhat I was made forWhat was I made for?
Takin’ a drive, I was an idealLooked so alive, turns out I’m not realJust something you paid forWhat was I made for?
‘Cause I, II don’t know how to feelBut I wanna tryI don’t know how to feelBut someday, I mightSomeday, I might
When did it end? All the enjoymentI’m sad again, don’t tell my boyfriendIt’s not what he’s made forWhat was I made for?
‘Cause I, ’cause II don’t know how to feelBut I wanna tryI don’t know how to feelBut someday I mightSomeday I might
Think I forgot how to be happySomething I’m not, but something I can beSomething I wait forSomething I’m made forSomething I’m made for
Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Billie Eilish O’Connell, Finneas Baird O’Connell
Billboard Hot 100-charting musician and occasional actor Ryan Gosling hasn’t tied a bow on his time as Ken just yet. To celebrate the holidays, the star temporarily stepped back into his role for a festive performance and music video of his hit Barbie ballad “I’m Just Ken” alongside Mark Ronson, with whom he also released […]