These are the women chosen for Barbie’s new role model dolls

It’s Women’s History Month, and to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 and Barbie’s 65th birthday on March 9, the doll brand has announced it will be adding new dolls to its Role Models collection , based on real-life singers and actresses from around the world. . They are not for sale: a unique doll was made for each of the women honored.

The dolls are meant to introduce “girls to stories of remarkable women to show them that they can be anything,” according to Mattel. Here are the women chosen to be Barbie’s next role models.

1. Viola Davis

The American actress graduated from Juilliard and went on to become an EGOT recipient, having won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony. She is known for her roles in “Fences”, “The Help” and “The Woman King”. She was also on Time’s list of the most influential people in 2017. But Davis is more than just an actress.

She and her husband, Julius Tennon, founded JuVee, a production company focused on giving “voice to the voiceless,” Mattel says.

2. Shania Twain

The Canadian singer has been five times grandmother winner known for hits such as “You’re Still the One” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” She has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, becoming the best-selling country-pop artist of all time and recently went on a top-grossing tour in 2023. She also has an upcoming residency in Las Vegas, starting of May.

Twain shared a post about her new Barbie on social media Wednesday and said she was honored to be recognized.

“Pinch me,” he wrote. “All I’ve wanted to do my whole life is tell stories of empowerment, independence and self-expression through my songwriting, getting to do that and inspiring women and girls along the way is the dream… everything else is a “beautiful bonus.” !”

3. Helen Mirren

The British actress is known for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen,” which earned her the best actress award at the 2007 awards. academy awardsas well as for roles in films such as “The Madness of King George,” “Hitchcock” and “Red.”

According to Mattel, Mirren also supports many women’s and children’s organizations.

She also has a previous connection to Barbie, as a narrator in “Barbie the Movie,” which topped the box office last year.

4. Kylie Minogue

The Australian-born singer has sold more than 80 million records worldwide and has won two Grammy Awards. His 2023 hit song “Padam Padam“ peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Chart and her album “Tension” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Chart.

Her Barbie is dressed in red, paying homage to Minogue’s costumes in the “Padam Padam” music video.

“Look at Padam Barbie,” she wrote in a post introducing the doll on social media. “Baby Kylie would NOT believe this is happening right now.”

Other Barbie Role Models

In addition to the four entertainers added to the Barbie Role Models line, Mattel also honored four other women from around the world: Lila Avilés, Mexican director, producer and screenwriter; Maira Gomez, Brazilian content creator; Nicole Fujita, Japanese model; and Enissa Amani, an Iranian-German comedian.

Previous Barbies in the collection include producer Shonda Rhimes, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, singer Celia Cruz, skater Sky Brown and tennis star Naomi Osaka.