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From a young age, Aaliyah envisioned herself as a musical superstar, often using her Barbie dolls to bring her dreams to life through imaginative play.
"The dolls would come alive with song and performance. There were times when I attempted to join in," Rashad Haughton, the late singer's brother, who is also a writer and director, shared with TODAY.com.
Aaliyah's childhood fantasies turned into reality as she grew up and became one of the most celebrated R&B artists of the ‘90. Sadly, the singer, whose full name was Aaliyah Haughton, passed away at the age of 22 in 2001 following a plane crash.
Almost 24 years following Aaliyah's passing, the iconic singer is being celebrated with a Barbie doll modeled after her.
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Part of the Barbie Music Collector Series, the doll is being released on the singer’s birthday, Jan. 16. and will be available to purchase on the Mattel Shop for a suggested retail price of $55. (As of Jan. 16 at 9:34 a.m., the doll is sold out).
Haughton collaborated with Mattel to create a doll that mirrored his sister's appearance and embodied her fashion sense. The final product? An eye-catching doll featuring a tiny version of the outfit Aaliyah donned in the music video for her popular track “One in a Million.”
Haughton reflects, “This marked the release of her second album, and ‘One in a Million’ played a pivotal role in evolving her sound towards themes of maturity, empowerment, and confidence during that stage of her career.”
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Haughton collaborated with Mattel to create the doll's ensemble, featuring a stylish faux leather black top paired with coordinating pants that showcase lace-up accents. The outfit is completed with a zippered vest that has removable sleeves and trendy sunglasses. Additionally, the Mattel team sought the expertise of Aaliyah’s stylist, Derek Lee, for added inspiration.
Haughton was completely amazed when he laid eyes on the finished product and believes his sister would have loved the bold outfit, especially since her preferred color was “all black.”
“It maintains a snug fit and has a touch of allure. However, since it’s pants, it conveys strength, confidence, and self-expression. It truly embodies everything my sister stands for, as well as what Barbie symbolizes—empowerment and personal expression,” he elaborates.
Best known for the musical style she called “street but sweet” and hits like “Try Again,” Aaliyah earned a host of awards throughout her career, including three American Music Awards for favorite soul/R&B female artist and two MTV Video Music Awards. She also collaborated with top musicians, including Missy Elliot and Timbaland.
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Haughton consistently served as a creative consultant for the artist. After launching an Aaliyah makeup collection with M.A.C. in 2018, the singer's Barbie doll marks the newest brand partnership that Haughton has led to keep his sister's legacy alive.
“It feels as if the work I did with her is still ongoing. Sure, it can be emotional at times, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling because it holds so much significance,” he shares. “It evokes memories and keeps alive the aspirations we shared when she was with us. In many respects, it reassures me that life is progressing as it ought to, and those dreams remain important and tangible.”
Haughton describes partnering with Mattel as "a dream realized" for both him and Aaliyah.
"I always desired it, knowing it was my sister's dream," he remarks.
Aaliyah, alongside her new doll, becomes a part of the iconic Barbie Music Collector Series, joining the ranks of legendary artists such as Gloria Estefan, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Elton John, and Stevie Nicks.
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Haughton expresses her joy, stating, "Having my sister included in that list is truly a reflection of her enduring legacy, and I couldn't be happier about the release of this doll. It's absolutely stunning."
When questioned about how he hopes people will remember Aaliyah, Haughton references a quote from his sister that she shared during an MTV appearance.
“She expressed, ‘I hope people remember me as a genuine entertainer,’ reflecting her deep passion for her craft. Despite the difficulties and challenges she faced, it never felt like work to her because she truly cherished every moment of what she did,” he shares.
Haughton reminisces about Aaliyah's constant gratitude for her achievements, recalling how her aspirations began in her childhood room, where she would play with her Barbie dolls.
“It revolves around imagination and transforming that imagination into dreams about who you aspire to become. It’s about taking those steps from childhood into the future and turning those dreams into reality. My sister exemplified this. Every young girl has the ability to do the same. That’s the core message I hope people will embrace from this partnership.”
