London, Mar 6 (EFE).- Singer Kylie Minogue and actor Dame Helen Mirren are among the eight prominent female celebrities honored with their own Barbie dolls ahead of International Women’s Day.
Also included in the Barbie likenesses are American actress Viola Davis and Mexican director Lisa Avilés.
The toy’s maker Mattel is commemorating March 8, International Women’s Day, in the year of its 65th anniversary, it said in a press statement on Wednesday.
Mattel has chosen the theme of “storyteller” to “celebrate the 65th anniversary of Barbie and over six decades of breaking down boundaries and inspiring girls through storytelling.”
“The brand is sharing countless stories of empowerment and bringing her legendary legacy to life through the eyes and words of fans everywhere, starting with some of the most renowned storytellers out there,” the Mattel statement said.
The statement came ahead of the opening of an exhibition about Barbie at the London Design Museum on July 5.
The toy brand has also created dolls for Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain, German comedian Enissa Amani, Japanese model Nicole Fujita, and Brazilian Maira Gomez, who creates content about the indigenous Tatuyo community in the Amazon.
British actor Helen Mirren, 78, known for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the movie “The Queen, Elizabeth I,” said having her Barbie was “a huge compliment.”
“I am absolutely blown away by my Barbie. To be chosen by Barbie as a role model is…something I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams happening to me at this stage in my life,” she said.
She said it she could add the honor to the list of her achievements. “Becoming a Dame of the British Empire, having an Oscar, having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – and having my own Barbie.”
Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls, said Barbie had, in the last 65 years, used her global platform to “empower girls to dream big, explore their limitless potential, and direct their own narrative to shape their future.” EFE
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