Laverne Cox Honored By Mattel As First Transgender Barbie Doll

Cox was recognized as one of the honorees of Mattel’s Tribute Collection due to her outstanding work in the LGBTQIA+ community.

 

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The Emmy award-winning actress revealed that she was shamed as a child for desiring a Barbie doll of her own. In her adult years, she shared that she went out and bought one of her own, utilizing it to heal her inner child. 

“I went out and bought a Barbie doll and played with her and dressed her and it was a way for me to heal my inner child,” she told BBC News.

Now, honored with a doll modeled after her likeness, Cox shares that the experience is “incredibly meaningful.”

“It’s incredibly meaningful to me to have my Barbie doll for so many reasons,” she said. “I hope that kids of all gender identities can look at this Barbie and dream.”

Laverne Cox makes history as the very first trans person to have a Barbie doll made in their honor. 🏳️‍⚧️ pic.twitter.com/boio1oGjgL

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 25, 2022

Cox, who will celebrate her 50th birthday on May 29, told People that she loves her doll’s outfit.

She also shared that she was “very involved” in every design process.

“I wanted her to wear multiple outfits, but that wasn’t cost-effective. You want the doll to be affordable,” she shared. “So I was like, ‘What if she had one outfit that could peel off and become multiple outfits?’”

“So that’s what we designed and came up with,” she said.

The tribute doll is now available on Mattel’s website at $40.

“She gives a catsuit fantasy, honey,” she told E! News. “Transgender Barbie is in effect. She’s giving you looks. She’s giving you everything.”