Mattel releases a Barbie doll based on transgender actor Laverne Cox

Mattel has released a Barbie Tribute Collection Puppet based on transgender actor Laverne Cox, a biological male who identifies as female. According to Cox’s bio on TwitterCox is a “four-time Emmy-nominated actress and Emmy-winning producer.”

“What excites me the most about her being out in the world is that young transgender people can see her and maybe buy her and play with her and know that for the first time there is a Mattel made Barbie that resembles her a trans person,” Cox said loudly persons. Cox also said, “That in this environment where trans children are being attacked … this can also be a celebration of being trans, and also a space for them to dream, understand and be reminded that trans children.” are beautiful.”

People reported that Cox commented that he was “very involved” in creating the doll.

“I was like, ‘Can we make her look more like me? And more African Americans?’” Cox said. “And we had a talk about highlights and lowlights because I’m blonde most of the time now, but I’m a black girl so I need a dark root. And we had a whole conversation about how they can’t do that, but they could do dark low-lights.”

As a child, Cox wanted to play with Barbie dolls but wasn’t allowed to. But later in life, on the recommendation of a therapist, Cox bought a Barbie as an adult.

“I begged my mom for a Barbie doll and she said no because I was born male,” Cox said. “And when I was in my thirties, I was in therapy and I told my therapist that I was being denied the opportunity to play with Barbie dolls. And my therapist said, ‘It’s never too late to have a happy childhood and what you should do because your inner child is out and get yourself a Barbie doll.'”

“I played with my barbie and told my mom what my therapist said. And the first Christmas after that, my mom sent me a Barbie doll,” Cox said. “And she sent me barbies for Christmas and my birthday.”

According to People, Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, said in a statement, “We are proud to highlight the importance of inclusion and acceptance at any age and Laverne’s significant impact on culture with a Tribute Collection to acknowledge Barbie.”