Laverne Cox Inspires the First Trans Barbie

It's already among the best-selling dolls on Amazon.

By Julie Scagell May 27, 2022

Laverne Cox isn’t just an Emmy winner, she’s also now a Barbie doll. This marks the first time Mattel has based one of its dolls on a transgender woman, though she has been included in the company’s Tribute Collection prior.

“It’s been a dream for years to work with Barbie to create my own doll,” the actress and LGBTQ rights activist said in a statement. “I can’t wait for fans to find my doll on shelves and have the opportunity to add a Barbie doll modeled after a transgender person to their collection. I hope that people can look at this Barbie and dream big like I have in my career. The space of dreaming and manifesting is such a powerful source and leads you to achieve more than what you originally thought was possible.”

On the TODAY show this week, Cox talked about the challenges the LGBTQ community has been facing, especially as kids. “I hope all the kids who are feeling stigmatized when their health care is being jeopardized, whose ability to play sports [is curtailed], I hope they can see this Barbie and feel a sense of hope and possibility,” she said.

According to the Washington Post, GOP lawmakers have filed almost 200 state bills this year alone that would remove protections for transgender and gay youths, including providing education about gender identity in public schools.

“As a four-time Emmy-nominated actress, Emmy-winning producer, and the first transgender woman of color to have a leading role on a scripted TV show, Laverne Cox uses her voice to amplify the message of moving beyond societal expectations to live more authentically,” Mattel said on its website of the doll.

In March, for Women’s History Month, the company unveiled its next generation of female leaders, including producer Shonda Rhimes, fashion designer Lan You, and founder and CEO Ari Horie. Mattel shares “This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to honor 12 global trailblazing women to help empower the next generation of female leaders by sharing their stories.”

Cox’s Barbie is wearing a gorgeous crimson corset over a gown with a silver jumpsuit underneath and is part of its Signature collection. The doll is currently available for $40 on Mattel’s website, Amazon, and other retailers.