Whitney Houston Is Now A Barbie, In Her 'i Wanna Dance With Somebody' Look

Whitney Houston is nan latest summation to nan world of Barbie.

The El Segundo-based artifact company is honoring nan precocious popular prima pinch a caller Barbie Signature doll. The toy, which debuted complete nan play successful Atlanta, is wearing nan recognizable look from Houston’s 1987 deed euphony video, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” The Houston doll wears a lilac-hued vessel dress, colorful driblet earrings and vibrant oculus makeup, and comes pinch a microphone stand. The collectible costs astir $60.

Houston’s property worked intimately pinch Mattel to create a doll that captures nan precocious singer’s principle and glamour. The merchandise lands astir forty years aft nan New Jersey-raised musician appeared successful nan euphony video for nan celebrated song.

“Whitney Houston’s euphony has been nan soundtrack to countless moments for fans astir nan world. Barbie is proud to grant her bonzer bequest pinch nan latest summation to nan Barbie Signature Series,” Mattel Vice President and Head of Barbie, Nathan Baynard, said successful a statement. “We dream it gives fans a meaningful measurement to observe nan creator whose sound and power proceed to resonate astir nan world.”

The doll arrives astatine an uneasy infinitesimal for nan marque it’s built on. In second-quarter results reported Aug. 4, Mattel’s worldwide gross billings for dolls fell 5% to $318 million, driven chiefly by a diminution successful nan Barbie marque — nan aforesaid communicative arsenic nan first quarter, erstwhile doll billings dropped 8%, and arsenic 2025, erstwhile nan class slid 7% for nan afloat twelvemonth connected Barbie declines. In March, Mattel laid disconnected 65 employees, astir a twelvemonth aft cutting 120 roles to trim costs. Shares of Mattel hovered astir $14.72 midday, down 0.5%.

Mattel hopes to entreaty to big collectors and fans of Houston pinch its latest release.

Throughout her career, Houston earned nan nickname of “The Voice,” owed to her unparalleled vocal abilities. Some of her biggest hits see “Saving All My Love For You,” “I Have Nothing,” and her screen of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” To this day, Houston holds nan Guinness World Record for nan astir awards won by a female creator of each time, pinch much than 400 prizes, including six Grammys. The vocalist died unexpectedly astatine property 48 successful 2012.

Houston is joining nan likes of different iconic female musicians arsenic Barbie dolls. In caller years, Mattel released dolls that lucifer Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan and Mariah Carey. Mattel’s Signature bid appeals to collectors of each kinds, arsenic nan institution releases dolls of athletes for illustration LeBron James and Angel Reese, fictional characters for illustration Cher from nan 1995 characteristic movie “Clueless,” Supergirl and humanities figures for illustration Ida B. Wells.

“The caller Whitney Houston Barbie honors a female whose voice, grace, beauty, and tone inspired generations astir nan world,” Pat Houston, nan organizer of Houston’s estate, said.

“May this doll punctual each kid and each collector that dreams person nary limits, excellence leaves a lasting imprint, and existent greatness ne'er goes retired of style.”