Venus Williams is now a Barbie! The tennis icon, 43, has been transformed into a Barbie doll along with eight other athletes. This new collection, released to celebrate Barbie’s 65th anniversary, aims to encourage girls to stay active in sports, Mattel announced on Wednesday, May 22.
By Aubree Ross
Venus Williams as a Role Model
The new Venus Williams Barbie leads a series of dolls honoring female sports role models. Dressed in a white tennis outfit with a visor, racket in hand, and her signature gold hoop earrings, the doll captures Williams’ iconic on-court look. Williams expressed her excitement, stating she feels honored to be recognized as a sports role model. “Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by the idea of breaking glass ceilings and staying true to myself, and Barbie’s mission couldn’t resonate more deeply with that ethos,” she said in Mattel’s press release.
Honoring Trailblazing Athletes
In addition to Venus Williams, other groundbreaking athletes have been honored as Barbie dolls. These include soccer star Mary Fowler (Australia), Olympic champion boxer Estelle Mossely (France), gymnast Alexa Moreno (Mexico), Olympic gymnast Rebeca Andrade (Brazil), paratriathlon athlete Susana Rodriguez (Spain), and swimmer Federica Pellegrini (Italy). Krista Berger, Mattel’s Senior Vice President of Barbie, highlighted the significance of this project, stating, “Barbie is thrilled to continue the brand’s 65th-anniversary celebration by recognizing the impact of sports in fostering self-confidence, ambition, and empowerment among the next generation.”
The Message of the New Collection
Berger continued, “The sports one-of-a-kind role model dolls embody our shared values of passion, empowerment, and individuality. By shining a light on these inspirational athletes and their stories, we hope to champion the belief that every young girl deserves the opportunity to pursue her passions and turn her dreams into reality.” The release of the new Venus Williams Barbie follows her announcement of a new health and wellness book, “STRIVE,” set to be released on September 10.
Venus Williams’ Commitment
Williams spoke in April about the release of her book: “As an athlete, I know the perseverance and consistency it takes to accomplish your goals and get true results. With STRIVE, my goal is to share the tips and tricks that helped me in my own wellness and nutrition journey.” She emphasized that these tools helped her maintain a lifestyle that fostered confidence, strength, and capability.
Venus Williams’ new Barbie doll is more than just a toy – it is a symbol of empowerment and inspiration. This collection from Mattel aims to show young girls that they can pursue and achieve their dreams, no matter the obstacles in their path.
Based on content from www.people.com
