{"id":35485,"date":"2026-08-10T00:53:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T19:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=35485"},"modified":"2026-08-10T00:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T19:53:54","slug":"whitney-houston-becomes-barbie-signature-doll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=35485","title":{"rendered":"Whitney Houston Becomes Barbie Signature Doll"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThere\u2019s a new addition to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/t\/mattel\/\" id=\"auto-tag_mattel\" data-tag=\"mattel\">Mattel<\/a> family: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/whitney-houston\/\">Whitney Houston<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/t\/barbie\/\" id=\"auto-tag_barbie\" data-tag=\"barbie\">Barbie<\/a> Signature Doll. <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe doll was unveiled Saturday evening (Aug. 8) at the fifth annual Legacy of Love Gala, presented by <a rel=\"nofollow\" data-id=\"https:\/\/whitneyhoustonfoundation.org\/home\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/whitneyhoustonfoundation.org\/home\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation <\/a>and Primary Wave Music.\u00a0The gala\u2019s \u201cI Wanna Dance with Somebody\u201d theme was a nod to Houston\u2019s 1987 global pop smash \u201cI Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),\u201d whose music video inspired the look of the latest member of Mattel\u2019s Barbie Signature Series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tPat Houston, president of the foundation and executor of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, co-hosted the gala (also celebrating Whitney Houston\u2019s 63rd birthday on Aug. 9) with Kevin Frazier of <em>Entertainment Tonight<\/em>. In her remarks to the gala attendees at The Whitley Hotel in Atlanta, Houston said, \u201cThis evening, we celebrate more than the release of a doll; we celebrate the enduring legacy of an icon. The new Whitney Houston Barbie honors a woman whose voice, grace, beauty and spirit inspired generations around the world. May this doll remind every child and every collector that dreams have no limits, excellence leaves a lasting imprint and true greatness never goes out of style. Thank you, Mattel, for making one of Whitney\u2019s dreams come true.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-content-image \/\/  \">\n<figure class=\"o-figure   size-large alignnone lrv-u-max-width-100p\" style=\"width:100%; max-width:1024px;\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image   lrv-u-margin-t-125 u-padding-b-10 u-margin-t-26@mobile-max lrv-u-display-inline-block lrv-u-width-100p\">\n<div class=\"lrv-a-crop-16x9\" style=\"padding-bottom:calc((910\/1024)*100%);\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-billboard-2021\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/whitney-houston-barbie-signature-doll-mattel-2026-billboard-1800.jpg?w=300\" alt=\"Whitney Houston Barbie Signature Doll\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/whitney-houston-barbie-signature-doll-mattel-2026-billboard-1800.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/whitney-houston-barbie-signature-doll-mattel-2026-billboard-1800.jpg?resize=300,267 300w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 100vw\" height=\"910\" width=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\"\/><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div><figcaption class=\"c-figcaption  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column a-font-accent-xs lrv-u-color-black u-margin-t-n4px lrv-u-padding-lr-00@mobile-max lrv-u-padding-b-1 u-font-size-11 u-line-height-19px u-word-spacing-n0156px u-letter-spacing-0026 u-padding-b-0625@mobile-max\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"u-letter-spacing-0094 lrv-u-text-transform-uppercase lrv-u-font-size-10 u-margin-t-2px\">Mattel Inc.<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tVP and head of Barbie, Mattel Nathan Baynard commented, \u201cWhitney Houston\u2019s music has been the soundtrack to countless moments for fans around the world. Barbie is proud to honor her extraordinary legacy with the latest addition to the Barbie Signature Series. Created in close collaboration with Pat Houston, this doll celebrates her unmistakable style, joy and spirit. We hope it gives fans a meaningful way to celebrate the artist whose voice and influence continue to resonate around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe Legacy of Love Gala opened with a tribute to music industry legend and Houston mentor Clive Davis. He served as honorary chair of The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation for the last four years and was named to do so again this year before his passing in June. In addition to a special video honoring Davis, singer-songwriter-pianist Gordon Chambers performed \u201cGreatest Love of All.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cClive Davis a man whose presence in my life and the life of Whitney Houston was profound,\u201d noted Houston. \u201cThe world knows Clive as a visionary, a brilliant music principal and a man whose ear for greatness changed the course of music history. I knew him as someone even greater \u2014 a loyal friend, a steady hand and man who never wavered in his belief in the people he loved. Words cannot fully express the loss I felt and have experienced with his passing. I will always remember him as one of the greatest architects of music and a man of heart, integrity and enduring love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tHouston\u2019s longtime collaborator (\u201cExhale [Shoop Shoop],\u201d \u201cI\u2019m Your Baby Tonight\u201d) and friend Kenneth <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/babyface\/\">\u201cBabyface\u201d<\/a> Edmonds was the gala\u2019s headline performer. In addition to performing several of his classic hits, Edmonds brought out surprise special guest Chant\u00e9 Moore. The pair sang \u201cWhy Does It Hurt So Bad,\u201d the Babyface-produced song from 1995\u2019s <em>Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album<\/em>. Houston\u2019s brother Gary Houston also teamed with singer Jada Nikole to perform a reimagined version of \u201cI Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tAs the latest music artist featured in the Barbie Signature Series, Houston joins a circle of prior honorees that includes Miley Cyrus, Aaliyah, Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan, Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Elton John. The Barbie Dream Gap Project will also donate to the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation, which provides educational opportunities, grants and scholarships for young people.\u00a0The Whitney Houston Barbie Signature Doll is available now in Target stores and online at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dwhitney%2Bhouston%2Bbarbie%2Bdoll%26channelId%3D500%26clpRedir%3DY%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cgail.mitchell%40billboard.com%7C1eee12e0e8454a09614808def63a4fa3%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639218927524296850%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=JoH9Ns%2BWFXu%2BSc6x1JYE2JjwhXOZ4mj1CJuY3HRce4k%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Amazon<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FPROJECT-BODYGUARD%2F18874865446&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cgail.mitchell%40billboard.com%7C1eee12e0e8454a09614808def63a4fa3%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639218927524320434%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=uHGu%2FyuDDBWu8yYKiVZvt%2FA4xckYXccKI%2FhgkmFdIs4%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Walmart<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fp%2Fbarbie-whitney-houston-signature-collectible-doll-wearing-iconic-dress-from-music-video-and-microphone-accessory%2F-%2FA-94998596&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cgail.mitchell%40billboard.com%7C1eee12e0e8454a09614808def63a4fa3%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639218927524343137%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ItxMIypkkttpuppHo2UivAqJdcdVxyER%2FQsIKoUgXU0%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Target<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcreations.mattel.com%2Fproducts%2Fbarbie-signature-whitney-houston-doll-jjy07&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cgail.mitchell%40billboard.com%7C1eee12e0e8454a09614808def63a4fa3%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639218927524363731%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2B5JFFIydHZvC%2BIUBKxbKWknV4C1VqajlJTqU%2FW3uzlQ%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Mattel Creations<\/a>\u00a0for an SRP of $60.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tAlso available now at Target is the <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.target.com\/p\/whitney-houston-tiny-vinyl-edition-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-so-emotional-target-exclusive-vinyl-4-inch\/-\/A-1011462092\" target=\"_blank\">Tiny Vinyl <\/a>release of Houston\u2019s \u201cI Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)\u201d backed with \u201cSo Emotional.\u201d Earlier this year, Houston and her legacy were saluted by The Recording Academy\u2019s presentation of its Special Merit Lifetime Achievement Award. And on Aug. 11 (10 a.m. PT\/1 p.m. ET), <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/Julien%E2%80%99s%20Auctions\" target=\"_blank\">Julien\u2019s Auctions <\/a>\u2014 in partnership with The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation \u2014 will host a benefit sale of more than 50 unique items from Houston\u2019s personal collection.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ubpass.co\/billboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/2HpFicp.png\" alt=\"Billboard VIP Pass\" style=\"max-width: 100%;height: auto\"\/><br \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s a new addition to the Mattel family: the Whitney Houston Barbie Signature Doll. The doll was unveiled Saturday evening (Aug. 8) at the fifth annual Legacy of Love Gala, presented by The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation and Primary Wave Music.\u00a0The gala\u2019s \u201cI Wanna Dance with Somebody\u201d theme was a nod to Houston\u2019s 1987&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35486,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/whitney-houston-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-video-billboard-1800.png?w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=35485"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35485\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/35486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=35485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=35485"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=35485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}