Whitney Houston Joins Barbie Signature Family

There’s a new addition to the Mattel family: the Whitney Houston Barbie Signature Doll.

The doll was unveiled Saturday evening (Aug. 8) at the fifth annual Legacy of Love Gala, presented by The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation and Primary Wave Music. The gala’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” theme was a nod to Houston’s 1987 global pop smash “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” whose music video inspired the look of the latest member of Mattel’s Barbie Signature Series.

Pat Houston, president of the foundation and executor of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, co-hosted the gala (also celebrating Whitney Houston’s 63rd birthday on Aug. 9) with Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight. In her remarks to the gala attendees at The Whitley Hotel in Atlanta, Houston said, “This evening, we celebrate more than the release of a doll; we celebrate the enduring legacy of an icon. The new Whitney Houston Barbie honors a woman whose voice, grace, beauty and spirit inspired generations around the world. May this doll remind every child and every collector that dreams have no limits, excellence leaves a lasting imprint and true greatness never goes out of style. Thank you, Mattel, for making one of Whitney’s dreams come true.”

VP and head of Barbie, Mattel Nathan Baynard commented, “Whitney Houston’s music has been the soundtrack to countless moments for fans around the world. Barbie is proud to honor her extraordinary legacy with the latest addition to the Barbie Signature Series. Created in close collaboration with Pat Houston, this doll celebrates her unmistakable style, joy and spirit. We hope it gives fans a meaningful way to celebrate the artist whose voice and influence continue to resonate around the world.”

The Legacy of Love Gala opened with a tribute to music industry legend and Houston mentor Clive Davis. He served as honorary chair of The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation for the last four years and was named to do so again this year before his passing in June. In addition to a special video honoring Davis, singer-songwriter-pianist Gordon Chambers performed “Greatest Love of All.”

“Clive Davis a man whose presence in my life and the life of Whitney Houston was profound,” noted Houston. “The world knows Clive as a visionary, a brilliant music principal and a man whose ear for greatness changed the course of music history. I knew him as someone even greater — a loyal friend, a steady hand and man who never wavered in his belief in the people he loved. Words cannot fully express the loss I felt and have experienced with his passing. I will always remember him as one of the greatest architects of music and a man of heart, integrity and enduring love.”

Houston’s longtime collaborator (“Exhale [Shoop Shoop],” “I’m Your Baby Tonight”) and friend Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds was the gala’s headline performer. In addition to performing several of his classic hits, Edmonds brought out surprise special guest Chanté Moore. The pair sang “Why Does It Hurt So Bad,” the Babyface-produced song from 1995’s Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album. Houston’s brother Gary Houston also teamed with singer Jada Nikole to perform a reimagined version of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).”

As the latest music artist featured in the Barbie Signature Series, Houston joins a circle of prior honorees that includes Miley Cyrus, Aaliyah, Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan, Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Elton John. The Barbie Dream Gap Project will also donate to the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation, which provides educational opportunities, grants and scholarships for young people. The Whitney Houston Barbie Signature Doll is available now in Target stores and online at Amazon, Walmart, Target and Mattel Creations for an SRP of $60. 

Also available now at Target is the Tiny Vinyl release of Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” backed with “So Emotional.” Earlier this year, Houston and her legacy were saluted by The Recording Academy’s presentation of its Special Merit Lifetime Achievement Award. And on Aug. 11 (10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET), Julien’s Auctions — in partnership with The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation — will host a benefit sale of more than 50 unique items from Houston’s personal collection.