Debbie Allen Receives Her Very Own Barbie Doll Honoring Her Exemplary Career

By: Olivia Armstead

Fine arts legend Debbie Allen was recognized this month by Mattel as part of their Tribute Collection and was given her very own Barbie doll. 

Mattel’s Tribute Collection serves as a series of dolls that are representative of the evolution of culture and recognize the impact that certain visionaries in the entertainment industry have had. 

In an Instagram statement that Allen released on her page, she expressed her excitement about the collaboration. “As a little girl growing up in Houston, Texas, I never imagined this moment,” she penned. “To now see a Barbie that reflects my journey, my joy, and my dreams. May every child see themselves and know they can be anything.” 

Allen’s resume is extensive, from her beginnings in the Broadway musical West Side Story, for which she earned a Tony nomination in 1980, to her starring role as Lydia Grant in the hit television series Fame, which she was a part of until the show’s end in 1987, as stated by THIRTEEN.org.

Some other notable works of hers include her work as a director and producer on shows like Amistad, A Different World, How To Get Away With Murder, and Empire, as mentioned by the Kennedy Center and IMDb. 

According to Essence Magazine, the release of the doll coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, her nonprofit organization that prepares young dancers for the professional industry. Her work today continues to inspire, and her doll’s release is an extension of her inspiring legacy. 

“As a dancer, seeing someone like Debbie Allen, such an inspirational Black woman who’s done so much in the arts, get honored with her own Barbie doll is honestly so inspiring. It’s a reminder that when you truly love what you do and stay dedicated, people notice”, said Aijah King, a student in the Crossfyah Caribbean Dance Troupe at Hampton University. 

“As Black dancers, we are often a minority in the spaces we move through, and it can be hard to see ourselves represented”, said Briana Chandler, a student serving as captain of the Majestic Dance Troupe at Hampton University. “That’s why seeing Debbie Allen receive this kind of recognition feels powerful; it’s a reminder that our stories, our artistry, and our presence matter. She paved the way for so many young Black girls, showing us that we, too, can dream big and take up space in the world of dance,” she continued. 

The Debbie Allen doll is now being sold on Mattel’s website and in retail stores.