On January 16, Mattel honored the late R&B legend Aaliyah with a special edition Barbie doll, and within hours of its release, it sold out. This collectible, which would have been Aaliyah’s 46th birthday, is a heartfelt tribute to the star, whose influence continues to resonate in music and pop culture today.
Aaliyah’s rise to fame in the 1990s was meteoric. With hits like “Back and Forth” and “At Your Best,” she became the voice of a generation, blending smooth R&B with a progressive sound that would continue to shape the genre for years to come. Tragically, her life was cut short in 2001 at the age of 22, when she died in a plane crash in the Bahamas after filming her music video for “Rock the Boat”. Still, her music and influence have only grown in importance over time, and the release of this Barbie doll highlights her enduring legacy.
Dressed in a black leatherette ensemble inspired by Aaliyah’s look in the “One in a Million” music video, the doll perfectly captures her bold yet timeless style. The outfit includes a crop top, zip-up vest and statement sunglasses, celebrating Aaliyah’s effortlessly cool and boundary-pushing fashion choices. Designed in collaboration with Aaliyah’s brother, Rashad Haughton, this Barbie doll serves not only as a collector’s item but as a personal tribute to a sister who, as Rashad recalls, spent hours playing with her own Barbie dolls and imagining her future star status.
“I vividly remember my sister playing with her favorite barbie dolls for hours when we were children. She would make them sing, dance and do little concerts. It is clear to me now that she imagined dreams that would eventually come true when she started on a career in entertainment at just fifteen years old,” reflected Rashad in a Mattel press release. Inspiring confidence, believing in yourself, and embracing who you really are are at the heart of Barbie sister would be ecstatic to see her legacy celebrated in this way, empowering fans to dream big and believe they can be anything their hearts desire.”
Aaliyah Barbie is part of Mattel’s ongoing Barbie Music Collector Series, a collection that has previously honored music legends like Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan and Tina Turner. Aaliyah’s inclusion, however, carries special weight. As Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls, put it, “Mattel is honored to introduce the legendary Aaliyah, an artist who redefined the R&B genre and left an indelible mark on the ’90s music scene, as our latest Barbie Signature Music Series Award Winner Thirty years after the release of her iconic debut single, “Back and Forth,” we invite fans to celebrate Aaliyah’s remarkable legacies.”
“We hope the Aaliyah Barbie serves as a powerful reminder to her loyal fans and Barbie collectors everywhere that, like Aaliyah, they can unlock their limitless potential and achieve anything they set their minds to by embracing their passion and drive,” Berger added.
The Aaliyah Barbie doll, which retailed for $55, was released through Mattel Creations, an exclusive platform for limited edition items. It went on sale at 9 p.m. PT on Wednesday (midnight Thursday ET) and was only available to members of a subscription-based Barbie collector group. By the time the news circulated online, the doll had quickly sold out – a testament to the artist’s enduring influence and the deep affection her fans have for her. Those who missed out on pre-orders will get another chance to grab the doll when it hits Target stores on January 26th. It is also available on Amazon UK for international collectors.
Aaliyah’s influence is far-reaching – she remains an icon of style, talent and grace. For those who grew up with her music or discovered it later, Aaliyah Barbie is more than a collector’s item. It is a tribute to a woman who paved her own path, empowered millions and continues to inspire those who believe in the power of dreams. As her brother said, this doll is a symbol of Aaliyah’s legacy — and a reminder to fans everywhere that they, too, can achieve what they want.
