Whitney Houston is getting the Barbie treatment.
Mattel is honouring the late pop icon with a new Barbie Signature doll inspired by her colourful look from the 1987 music video for I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me), writes Variety.
Priced at $60, the collectible launches on August 8 and will be available at Target stores as well as Amazon, Walmart, Target and Mattel Creations.
The doll recreates Houston’s instantly recognisable look from the music video, featuring a purple tank dress, colourful drop earrings and bright eye makeup.
It also comes with a microphone stand, reflecting the singer’s performance persona.
Houston’s estate worked closely with Mattel on the collectible.
Pat Houston, executor of the Estate of Whitney E. Houston and president of the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation, collaborated with the Barbie design team and Primary Wave Music on details including the doll’s wardrobe and Houston’s signature glamour.
The doll will officially debut on Saturday at the fifth annual Legacy of Love Gala in Atlanta, hosted by the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation.
Released as the lead single from Houston’s second studio album, Whitney, I Wanna Dance With Somebody became one of the singer’s signature hits.
The song won Houston the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1988.
The album also made history as the first album by a female artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
The hit was part of Houston’s record-setting run of seven consecutive No. 1 singles.
The new collectible joins Barbie Signature’s growing line of dolls inspired by musicians and cultural icons, including Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan and Mariah Carey.
