Angel Reese’s New Barbie Isn’t Just A Doll—It’s A Blueprint For Taking Up Space
In our eyes, Angel Reese was already a doll, but now she’s officially part of the Barbie family with her very own Barbie Signature doll created in her likeness, Reebok sneakers included. For Reese, the collaboration with Mattel represents a full-circle moment that extends well beyond her achievements on the hardwood.
“This moment is about so much more than my career on the court and represents the impact I hope to make beyond the game,” Reese tells ESSENCE. “It’s about increasing representation for athletes while showing the next generation that they can be, and do, anything. I’ve always been driven to use my platform to create opportunities and inspire others, and I’m so excited to join Barbie in sharing my story and empowering girls to dream big.”
When the brand first reached out to partner with her, Reese says the reaction was immediate joy: “Honestly, it was a surreal moment, and I couldn’t stop smiling. I grew up loving Barbie, so getting the chance to work with the brand to create a doll of my own was a dream come true,” she shares. “I was excited because I knew this was an opportunity to bring together my passions, both on and off the court, by creating something that would help empower girls and celebrate the growing influence of women in sports.”
The Barbie design team worked closely with Reese to ensure the doll authentically reflected Reese’s signature style, from her court look down to her footwear.
“I was just blown away by how much it truly felt like me. The Barbie design team didn’t miss a single detail throughout the design process,” Reese says. “They captured my signature court look, from the custom #5 and #10 on my jersey to my signature single legging, right down to the Barbie-pink Reebok Angel Reese 1 Basketball Shoes. Seeing it all come together was a powerful reminder of my journey and how every step has been worth it. It’s one thing to see your likeness, but it’s another to feel like the doll truly captures your ethos, too.”
When asked to define what a Barbie means to her today, Reese emphasizes self-expression and confidence: “A Barbie is somebody who is confident, authentic, and not afraid to take up space. She knows who she is, goes after what she wants, and doesn’t let anybody define her. That’s the kind of woman I’ve always strived to be, and it’s why having my own Barbie means so much.”
Her ultimate hope is that young girls seeing the doll feel inspired to embrace every side of themselves without hesitation or compromise. “When a little girl sees this doll, I hope she can see herself,” Reese explains. “I want her to feel like she belongs in every room, on every court, and in every conversation. She never has to shrink herself to be successful. This doll, with her very own Barbie-pink Reebok Angel Reese 1 Basketball Shoes, is a reminder that you can be fierce, you can be stylish, and you can be a leader, all at the same time.”
Reese’s message for anyone chasing big ambitions is simple. Refuse to let perceived limits dictate your path. “My advice is to never let anyone else define what’s possible for you,” says Reese. “Stay true to yourself, embrace what makes you unique, and don’t be afraid to be a trailblazer. You don’t have to pick just one dream; you can chase them all. Keep dreaming big, working hard, staying true to who you are, and never be afraid to take up space.”
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