On January 16th, Mattel honored the late R&B legend Aaliyah with a special-edition Barbie doll, and within hours of its release, it sold out. Dropping on what would have been Aaliyah’s 46th birthday, this collector’s item serves as a heartfelt tribute to the star, whose influence continues to resonate in music and pop culture today.
Aaliyah’s rise to fame in the 1990s was meteoric. With hits like “Back and Forth” and “At Your Best,” she became the voice of a generation, blending smooth R&B with a progressive sound that would go on to shape the genre for years to come. Tragically, her life was cut short in 2001 at the age of 22, when she died in a plane crash in the Bahamas after wrapping her music video for “Rock the Boat.” Yet, her music and impact have only grown in significance over time, and the release of this Barbie doll highlights her enduring legacy.
Dressed in a black faux-leather ensemble inspired by Aaliyah’s look in the “One in a Million” music video, the doll perfectly captures her bold yet timeless style. The outfit includes a crop top, zipped vest, and statement sunglasses, paying homage to Aaliyah’s effortless cool and boundary-pushing fashion choices. Designed in collaboration with Aaliyah’s brother, Rashad Haughton, this Barbie doll serves not just as a collectible but as a personal tribute to a sister who, as Rashad recalls, spent hours playing with her own Barbie dolls, imagining her future stardom.
“I can vividly remember my sister playing with her favorite Barbie dolls for hours when we were kids. She would make them sing, dance, and perform little concerts. It’s clear to me now that she was imagining dreams that would eventually become reality when she embarked on a career in entertainment at just fifteen years old,” Rashad reflected in a press release from Mattel. “Inspiring confidence, belief in yourself, and embracing who you truly are is the essence of Barbie. My sister would be ecstatic to see her legacy celebrated this way, empowering fans to dream big and believe they can be anything their hearts desire.”
The Aaliyah Barbie is part of Mattel’s ongoing Barbie Music Collector Series, a collection that has previously honored music legends like Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan, and Tina Turner. However, Aaliyah’s inclusion carries special weight. As Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls, put it, “Mattel is honored to induct the legendary Aaliyah, an artist who redefined the R&B genre and left an indelible mark on the ‘90s music scene, as our latest honoree in the Barbie Signature Music Series. Thirty years after the release of her iconic debut single, ‘Back and Forth,’ we invite fans to celebrate Aaliyah’s remarkable legacy.”
“We hope that the Aaliyah Barbie serves as a powerful reminder to her loyal fans and Barbie collectors everywhere that, like Aaliyah, they can unlock their limitless potential and achieve anything they set their minds to by embracing their passion and drive,” added Berger.
The Aaliyah Barbie doll, which retailed at $55, was released through Mattel Creations, an exclusive platform for limited-edition items. It went on sale at 9 p.m. PT on Wednesday (midnight Thursday ET) and was only available to members of a subscription-based Barbie collectors group. By the time the news circulated around the internet, the doll had quickly sold out — a testament to the artist’s lasting impact and the deep affection her fans have for her. Those who missed out on preorders will have another chance to grab the doll when it hits Target stores on January 26. It’s also available on Amazon UK for international collectors.
Aaliyah’s influence is far-reaching — she remains an icon of style, talent, and grace. For those who grew up with her music or discovered it later, the Aaliyah Barbie is more than a collectible. It’s a tribute to a woman who blazed her own trail, empowered millions, and continues to inspire those who believe in the power of dreams. As her brother said, this doll is a symbol of Aaliyah’s legacy — and a reminder to fans everywhere that they, too, can achieve anything they set their minds to.