Home

Laverne Cox makes history as first transgender Barbie for Mattel's Tribute Collection!

Posted by Leticia, 29 May

Laverne Cox has just made history, as the actress and activist has been honored as the first transgender Barbie for Mattel's iconic Tribute Collection!

And it couldn’t have come at a better time, either, as it also coincides with her 50th birthday! (It's on May 29th, FYI)

Find your soulmate on AfroRomance

Join Free

The Emmy award-winning actress recalled how she was shamed as a child for wanting a Barbie doll, and it was only after years of therapy that she finally felt confident enough to go and buy one!

"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," the Orange is the New Black star said.

Cox then went on to say that she hoped her doll – who wears a fabulous red tulle ballgown that can be re-styled in various different ways – would not only inspire children, but also remind parents to support children of all gender identities who might want to play with dolls.

: Laverne Cox makes history as first transgender Barbie for Mattel's Tribute Collection!

"It's incredibly meaningful for me to have my Barbie doll for so many reasons," she added.

"I hope that kids of all gender identities can look at this Barbie and dream.

"The space of play, playing with dolls, the space of creating worlds with dolls is that space of dreaming.

"And now kids get to dream with a Laverne Cox Barbie, the first transgender Barbie - that is a beautiful space of dreaming and possibility."

We'll say!

Laverne's Barbie is now officially on sale for $40, with other dolls in the collection also including Vera Wang, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou. Some of the now sold out dolls have included Lucille Ball, Ella Fitzgerald, and Florence Nightingale.

Mattel has also immortalized many other females for previous collections, including Black-ish star Yara Shahidi and boxer Nicola Adams for its 'Shero' range.