The first transgender Barbie doll is based on Laverne Cox
Toy company Mattel has released the first-ever transgender Barbie and it’s modelled on the award-winning American star Laverne Cox.
The announcement was made to mark Cox’s 50th birthday on Sunday and saw the actress and activist celebrating with a Barbie-themed bash in New York City, wearing the same ensemble as her miniature version.
Describing Cox as a trailblazer, icon and advocate, Mattel said: “Barbie is thrilled to welcome Laverne Cox as the newest Barbie Tribute Collection doll, recognising her impact in TV, film, fashion, and the LGBTQ+ community.”
In addition, the company revealed that it is making a donation to the non-profit organisation TransFamily Support Services, “because everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and celebrated for who they are.”
An excited Cox took to Instagram to announce the release of her Barbie doll. “Thank you to everyone at Mattel for all the love you poured into creating her,” she said.
“And thank you for this moment for the trans and LGBTQ+ community in truly challenging times, particularly for trans kids. I am so deeply humbled and I hope this doll will be a beacon of hope and possibility for Barbie fans and beyond of all ages,” added Cox.
According to Mattel, the Laverne Cox Doll “wears a triple-threat original design, featuring a deep red tulle gown gracefully draped over a dazzling, silver metallic bodysuit,” and “her hair is swept into glamorous Hollywood waves while dramatic makeup completes her look.”
Since making waves as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, Cox has broken new ground with an impressive list of firsts for the transgender community.
She became the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category, and the first to win an Emmy in 2015 as executive producer for Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word.
In 2017, she became the first transgender person to play a transgender series regular on US broadcast TV as Cameron Wirth on Doubt. She is also the first transgender person to appear on the covers of both Time and Cosmopolitan magazines.
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