Laverne Cox is celebrating her 50th birthday as a true icon would – by having a Barbie doll fashioned in her likeness.
Mattel, the makers behind the long-running line of popular dolls, have created a Laverne Cox Barbie to celebrate the trans actress, advocate, and all-around Renaissance woman. The doll, now available at retailers, has come out just in time for Cox’s 50th birthday, which she’ll celebrate on Sunday.
“I can’t believe it,” said Cox in an interview with People Magazine. “What excites me most about her being out in the world is that trans young people can see her and maybe get to purchase her and play with her, and know that there’s a Barbie made by Mattel, for the first time, in the likeness of a trans person.”
The doll comes adorned with two layered outfits: an outer layer that includes a red corset and tulle skirt conceals a silver bodysuit beneath, paired with silver high heels. Cox, who had been involved throughout the development process, told People that she’d initially been interested in exploring multiple outfit options, but was informed that these wouldn’t be cost-effective for the consumer. From there, the idea of a layered look was born.
The honor is especially sweet for Cox, who told People that as a child she hadn’t been allowed to play with Barbies, “because I was assigned male at birth.” She was in her 30s when she purchased her first doll, on the advice of a therapist, and soon after her mom began sending her Barbies as presents for special occasions.
“I’m just so grateful that I’ve been able to be in this process. It’s a process of reclaiming my inner child, healing her, giving her what she didn’t have that first go around,” Cox said.
“So to be turning 50 years old and be transgender and have a Barbie in my life, that feels just like a full-circle kind of healing.”
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