Barbie is honoring Debbie Allen with her own doll.
According to Essence, the legendary dancer, actress, choreographer, and director had a doll made in her likeness as part of Mattel’s Barbie Tribute Collection, which celebrates cultural icons whose work has left a lasting impact.
“As a little girl growing up in Houston, Texas, I never imagined this moment,” Allen wrote in an Instagram post announcing the release. “To now see a Barbie that reflects my journey, my joy, and my dreams. May every child see themselves and know they can be anything.”
Allen’s Barbie is modeled after her iconic look from her role as Lydia Grant in the 1980s series Fame. The doll features a sparkling top, fringe-trimmed pants, gold accessories, and Grant’s signature leg warmers.
The release coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, the nonprofit school she founded to train and inspire the next generation of dancers. Despite challenges facing arts institutions nationwide, the academy continues to thrive, nurturing young talent and expanding access to arts education.
Throughout her career, Allen has racked up numerous accolades, including becoming the first Black woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV comedy or musical, earning three Emmys for choreography, and receiving a Drama Desk Award for her work on Broadway. She joins a select group of women honored in Barbie’s Tribute Collection, including Lucille Ball, Laverne Cox, and Vera Wang.
The Debbie Allen Tribute Doll is available now at Mattel.com.
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