Having her own Barbie doll has done a lot in the way of inner child healing for Laverne.The world's favourite doll continues to become more progressive. Earlier this week, it was announced that Barbie has launched its first transgender doll, made in the image of Orange Is the New Black actress Laverne Cox in the hopes of highlighting "acceptance at every age."
"We are proud to highlight the importance of inclusion and acceptance at every age and to recognize Laverne's significant impact on culture with a tribute collection Barbie," Mattel's executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls Lisa McKnight said, adding that the brand "couldn't be more excited" about adding a new doll to its roster.
Throughout her career, Cox has received five Emmy nominations as both an actor and producer and has made a name for herself as "one of the most high-profile transgender stars in the U.S.," as the Telegraph notes.
"What excites me most about her being out in the world is that trans young people can see her and maybe get to purchase her and play with her, and know that there's a Barbie made by Mattel, for the first time, in the likeness of a trans person," Cox shared.
In an interview with PEOPLE, the Netflix star revealed that she wanted to play with dolls for much of her childhood, but wasn't allowed. "I begged my mother for a Barbie doll and she said no because I was assigned male at birth."
"And when I was in my 30s, I was in therapy and telling my therapist that I was denied the opportunity to play with Barbie dolls. And my therapist said, 'It's never too late to have a happy childhood, and what you should do for your inner child is go out and buy yourself a Barbie doll.'"
For Cox, working with Barbie ahead of her 50th birthday has been a beautiful act of inner child healing. "I'm so grateful to Mattel for this moment, just for my own, just for my own personal healing," she said.
Barbie first launched in March of 1959, but it wasn't until 1980 that the world saw a Black doll, and at the same time, a Latina one was also introduced. What are your thoughts on Mattel's new transgender doll? Sound off in the comments, and tap back in with HNHH later for more pop culture news updates.
About The Author
Hayley Hynes is the former Weekend Managing Editor of HotNewHipHop, she stepped down after two years in 2024 to pursue other creative opportunities but remains on staff part-time to cover music, gossip, and pop culture news. Currently, she contributes similar content on Blavity and 21Ninety, as well as on her personal blog where she also offers tarot/astrology services.
Hayley resides on the western side of Canada, previously spending a year in Vancouver to study Fashion Marketing at Blanche Macdonald Centre and Journalism at Mount Royal University in Calgary before that. She's passionate about helping others heal through storytelling, and shares much more about her life on Instagram @hayleyhynes.
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