Laverne Cox Honored as the First Transgender Barbie Doll
American actress and LGBTQ+ activist, Laverne Cox joined Mattel Creations’ Barbie Tribute Collection with her new doll.
low key need the laverne cox doll
— (ches)hire cat (@ChesWho) June 1, 2022
According to NBC News, Cox said in a statement that it has been her dream for years to create her own barbie doll.
“I can’t wait for fans to find my dolls on shelves, and have the opportunity to add a Barbie doll modeled after a transgender person to their collection,” explains Cox. “I hope that people can look at this Barbie and dream big like I have in my career.”
The doll wears a dark red tulle gown under a sparkly, silver metallic bodysuit. Her wavy dirty blonde hair is swept in a side part. Diamond earrings and a smokey eyeshadow look complete the design.
@Lavernecox
— SeriouslyJMH (@jjjb1974) May 26, 2022
Your Barbie doll is beautiful! You must be thrilled! @Mattel pic.twitter.com/MDXt8jHt6A
“Thank you to everyone @mattel for all the love you poured into creating her,” writes Cox on an Instagram post. “I am so deeply humbled and I hope this doll will be a beacon of hope and possibility for Barbie fans and beyond of all ages.”
After graduating from Marymount College of Manhattan in New York City, Cox turned to acting. Her well-known role as Sophia Burset, a trans woman incarcerated for credit-card fraud, on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019) gave Cox a platform to speak on the rights of trans people and the LGBTQ+ community. In 2014, Cox was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Orange Is the New Black, becoming the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy award in any acting category.
The doll was released on May 25, prior to the start of Pride Month. Fans can purchase the doll on Amazon, Walmart, Target, or on Mattel Creations’ website for $40.
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