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Mattel has unveiled an official Whitney Houston Barbie Signature doll, capturing the late singer’s memorable look from her 1987 music video for “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).” According to Mattel and The Hollywood Reporter, the $60 collectible went on public display on August 8 at the 5th Legacy of Love Gala in Atlanta, an annual charity event hosted by the Whitney E.
Design Details and Accessories
The collectible doll features Houston in a purple tank dress paired with iridescent heels and colorful beaded drop earrings, matching the styling from the 1987 music video. According to Variety, the doll also includes the singer’s signature 1980s big hair, purple and gold eye makeup, and a black microphone with a microphone stand. Mattel packages the figure in a window pane display box that features background images of the singer and her signature.
Collaboration with the Houston Estate
Mattel collaborated closely with Pat Houston throughout the creative process to develop the final product. Houston Legacy Foundation—helped shape the doll’s design and provided input on the wardrobe and glam details alongside Primary Wave Music.
“We celebrate more than the release of a doll, we celebrate the enduring legacy of an icon,” Pat Houston said in a press release reported by The Hollywood Reporter. “May this doll remind every child and every collector that dreams have no limits, excellence leaves a lasting imprint, and true greatness never goes out of style.”
Release Information and Legacy
The Whitney Houston Barbie has an MSRP of $60 and is available for purchase online through Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Mattel Creations, as well as in-store at Target locations. The launch coincides with the anniversary of Houston’s birth on August 9.
The single “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” served as the lead track from Houston’s sophomore album, Whitney. The song earned Houston a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1988, while the album made history as the first by a female artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
The release expands Barbie Signature’s roster of music industry icons. According to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, previous musician editions in the collection include Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, and Kylie Minogue.