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The "R&B Princess" is made out of plastic, and Mattel's new collectible doll in honor of Aaliyah is simply awesome.
The Aaliyah Signature Doll is the latest in Mattel Creations' growing music series celebrating the late singer's birthday and his lasting impact on hip-hop culture. It's also a nod to her trendsetting nineties style and hit music video for "One in a Million" - the title track from her multi-platinum second album. She wore that motorcycle-inspired outfit, a black faux leather top and matching trousers with studded lace-up detailing in a stylish hue, with her hair hanging down over one eye.
Barbie Signed Aaliyah 11.5 Inch Collectible Doll
"Aaliyah's smooth vocals and innovative sound helped shape '90s R&B, and her influence on music and fashion is still felt today," the description on the website reads. "Our tribute to 'Babygirl's' life and voice will propel all collections to the top of the charts."
The Barbie team worked closely with Aaliyah's brother, Rashad Haughton, to not only develop the concept for the doll but also ensure they accurately captured and celebrated her legacy and character. "I distinctly remember when we were kids, my sister would play with her favorite Barbie dolls for hours. She would make them sing, dance and have little concerts," Horton said in a statement . "It's clear to me now that the dream she was imagining eventually became a reality when she started a career in entertainment at the age of fifteen."
Aaliyah burst onto the R&B scene in 1994 with her debut single "Back & Forth" and during her short but impactful career she won an incredible three American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards and Five Grammy nominations. Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001 at the age of 22. Aaliyah last released a song in 2021, when The Weeknd posthumously tapped her to contribute vocals to the joint single "Poison."
Aaliyah is the latest winner as part of Mattel's music series, joining other Barbie-inspired musicians including Gloria Estevan, David Bowie ), Elvis Presley, Elton John, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks Nicks), and most recently, Juan Gabriel. Originally released at Mattel's Creations store for $55.99, exclusively available to those with a membership to the brand, they sold out almost immediately. The good news is that the Aaliyah doll is now available for pre-order at Target and will be in general release on January 26th. Shop Aaliyah Signature Barbie Doll here.