Debbie Allen on Becoming a Barbie, ‘A Different World’ Reboot & Her Legacy of Inspiring Artists
Debbie Allen has done it all-and then some.
In the eighties,she became a household name,dancing and choreographing on the hit series Fame forever defining our love for the arts. She then revitalized the beloved HBCU comedy A Different World in the nineties, a series sheS currently rebooting for Netflix.
She founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy,a nonprofit association that has been nurturing young talent for a remarkable 25 years,a major milestone,especially in the current climate of struggling nonprofits.Her annual hot Chocolate nutcracker is hosting a holiday gala on December 11 with an all-star cast.
Toss in her many producing, directing and acting credits over the past six decades, it’s easy to see how she’s fit a century’s worth of accomplishments into her 75 years of life, which is documented in the film 100 Years of Debbie Allen.
And now, the award-winning actor, dancer, singer, choreographer, director, producer, and author has been immortalized in 11 1/2 inches of iconic plastic with her own barbie Tribute doll from Mattel. The impact isn’t lost on her. “At my school, they all want a Barbie now,” Allen exclaimed. “I’m excited to have an image of a Barbie that is someone that they really respond to, not just the kids in my school, but around the world.”
From the dance floor to Barbie Land, Allen continues to inspire. Hear, she chats with EBONY about her tribute doll and its impact, her most iconic past projects, and what’s on her very full schedule for the future.
EBONY: You’re a Barbie! How did this honor come about?
Debbie Allen: It started with the celebration of 25 years of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, over conversations with Mattel about recreating characters from our Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. And they mentioned that there might be interest in me being a Barbie! I was nine years old when Barbie first came out,and it was great because we loved our dolls. and Barbie was hot; she was mature and embodied everything about a young woman. Barbie puts me in a legacy group of women that I so love: Ava DuVernay, Misty Copeland, Shonda Rhimes. There’s a long laundry list of this brand that represents diverse women who have made quite dynamic accomplishments in their lives. I am thrilled.
How did you decide on the iconic outfit for your tribute doll?
When asked,I said,”Let’s go with the Fame look.” That’s the look. She has her belt. She has her big earrings and dance shoes, and there’s a little stand that you can use to make her stand up and pose. My shingle pants back in the day, and those tops, I wore them in every color and wore them around the world. It’s a reflection of the great work and the international appeal of what I do and who I am. Fame whent around the world. When I went to London, Israel, south Africa, the Middle East, Italy – I couldn’t even walk down the street. I hardly had to pay for a meal.
Debbie Allen Celebrates Milestones, Reflects on Career & “A Different World” Reboot
Debbie allen is marking significant milestones – the 25th anniversary of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and her 75th birthday – while continuing a prolific career that spans dance, television, and film. She recently discussed thes achievements, along with updates on upcoming projects, in a recent interview.
A Century of Debbie Allen
Allen playfully noted the combined significance of these anniversaries, stating, “25 years and 75, that’s a hundred years, we could say a hundred years of Debbie Allen.” This lighthearted comment sparked the promotion of a new film celebrating her life and work. Despite turning 75,Allen emphasizes she remains energetic and in demand,saying,”I’m not shy about saying that out loud and in public as I’m still as vibrant as ever… I’ve never had more job opportunities.” She also highlighted the resilience of the Debbie Allen dance academy, which continues to thrive despite challenges facing non-profits and the dance world.
“Amistad” – A Defining Project
When asked about the most meaningful work of her career, Allen unequivocally chose producing Amistad (1997) with Steven Spielberg.She described the film as “something that belongs to our cultural history… the DNA of America, not just Black america – all of America.” Allen emphasized the difficulty in bringing the story to fruition but expressed immense pride in the collaborative effort of the team involved, many of whom remain close friends.
“A Different World” Reboot Progress
Excitement is building around the upcoming Netflix reboot of A Different World. Allen shared that the team is currently refining the pilot to ensure the highest quality. The reboot will feature recurring appearances from original cast members including Jasmine Guy (Whitley Gilbert),Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Wayne),darryl M. Bell (Ron johnson), cree Summer (Freddie Brooks), Charnele Brown (Kim Reese), and Glynn Turman (Colonel Taylor). Allen also expressed hope to include sinbad, praising his recent performance in Tyler Perry’s Mea Culpa and acknowledging his recovery journey.
phylicia Rashad’s Turn for a Barbie?
The conversation turned to Allen’s sister, Phylicia Rashad, and the possibility of her receiving her own Barbie doll following Allen’s recent honor. Allen enthusiastically stated, “She shoudl definitely be next in line,” highlighting Rashad’s impressive accomplishments, including winning a pulitzer Prize and two Tony Awards for her work on Broadway, and her current role in The Gilded Age. Allen is also supporting Rashad’s directorial debut in television with Gray’s Anatomy, praising her ability to connect with actors on a deeper level, focusing on character and narrative rather than solely on visual aesthetics.
Sources:
* https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/debbie-allen-different-world-reboot-barbie-1235864419/
* https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119452/ (Amistad – IMDb)
* https://www.netflix.com/tudum/a-different-world-reboot-cast-updates
* https://www.etonline.com/debbie-allen-on-a-different-world-reboot-and-her-new-barbie-doll-exclusive