Prima Ballerina Misty Copeland’s new Barbie doll — a part of Mattel’s “Sheroes” Collection – shows that Black women with unconventional life experiences can still achieve their goals, no matter how impossible they may seem.

The new doll is wearing Copeland’s iconic red Firebird costume and features the principal dancer’s muscular frame and shapely body, two features the dancer is particularly proud of. Just a few months ago, Mattel released a Barbie inspired by magical Black girl Ava Duvernay, another barrier breaking doll from the leading toy manufacturer.

RELATED: Misty Copeland is First Black Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre

While speaking with The Root, Copeland explained that having a doll who is brown and shaped like many young girls coming up today was important to her. She notes that these images are becoming normalized and she is grateful to be a part of that change.

Mattel desribes the doll on their website noting that,

“As the first African American female Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland is an inspirational star, paving the way for future dancers all over the world! Her fire red bodysuit, with sunburst orange tulle cutouts, stretches over her perfectly poised body, while layers of red and orange tulle tease a luxurious red tail. A vibrant tulle headpiece tops off her elaborate look, adding drama and flair. The doll features a brand-new ballerina body, with a face sculpted to Misty’s likeness!”

The new doll is available for pre-order at many online and in-store retailers.

Photo: Promotional release from Mattel.

Author

  • Jenn M. Jackson was born and raised in East Oakland, California, a fact which motivates her writing and academic ambitions. She is a scholar, educator, and writer whose writing addresses Black Politics and civil and public life for young Black people with a focus on policing and surveillance. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of Water Cooler Convos, a culture platform for Black millennials. Her writing has been featured in Washington Post, BITCH Magazine, Marie Claire, EBONY, The Root, Daily Dot, The Independent, and many others. Jackson is a doctoral candidate at the University of Chicago studying American Politics with a focus on political participation and engagement, public opinion and social movements. For more about her, tweet her at @JennMJack or visit her website at jennmjackson.com.