Mattel has released a new Barbie doll honoring the late singer Whitney Houston. The figure commemorates what would have been the Grammy Award winner's 63rd birthday.
The doll is inspired by Houston's appearance in her 1987 music video for "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." It features a purple tank dress, colorful drop earrings, and sparkly eye makeup, reflecting the video's aesthetic.
The creation of the doll was a collaboration with Pat Houston, Whitney Houston's sister-in-law and president of the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation. Pat Houston stated that the doll's release fulfills one of Whitney Houston's dreams. Mattel said the doll celebrates Houston's "record-breaking career, legacy and timeless music."
Whitney Houston, born in Newark, New Jersey, achieved significant success in her career, earning six Grammy Awards and multiple hit songs. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 48. Her personal life was marked by challenges, including struggles with drug use. Tragically, her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, died in 2015 at age 22. Bobbi Kristina was the daughter of Houston and her ex-husband, singer Bobby Brown.