Mattel honored the late singer Whitney Houston with a signature Barbie doll. The Whitney Houston Signature Barbie doll was unveiled by the legendary singer’s sister-in-law and former manager Pat Houston.
Pat revealed the Barbie doll was 20 years in the making. Pat, who is also executor of the Whitney’s estate, unveiled the doll at the Fifth Legacy of Love Gala, an annual event hosted by the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation in Atlanta on Saturday, August 8.
The Barbie Signature Whitney Houston Doll was inspired by Whitney’s look in her 1987 music video for “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).”
Pat worked closely with the Barbie design team to build the doll’s look, complete with a purple tank dress, iridescent heels and colorful beaded drop earrings.
Whitney died on February 11, 2012 in suite 434 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. She was 48.
Whitney is best known for her hits, including “You Give Good Love”, “Saving All My Love for You”, “How Will I Know”, “Greatest Love of All”, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”, “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”, “I’m Your Baby Tonight”, “All the Man That I Need”, “I Will Always Love You”, “I’m Every Woman”, “Run to You” and “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).”
Pat told People.com how Whitney was interested in a Barbie doll that celebrated her role in the 1992 film “The Bodyguard,” but the doll didn’t happen. Pat said Whitney “really wanted to invest the time in doing a doll”, and added: “I’m just really happy that we’re seeing this doll come to fruition, and it’s going to be a lasting influence across generations.”
The Barbie Signature Whitney Houston Doll is now available to buy at Target stores and online at Amazon, Walmart, Target and Mattel Creations.
Houston’s Barbie signature doll comes on the heels of other Barbie releases, including Angel Reese, Serena Williams, a Miley Cyrus edition and a Kylie Minogue doll, released this year.