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Angel Reese’s longtime nickname just became something you can hold in your hands. Mattel unveiled a new Barbie Signature doll modeled after the WNBA star Thursday. This makes Reese the first Black WNBA player to receive her own Barbie. The doll launched today, July 24. It comes dressed in Barbie pink attire with a matching basketball.
The collaboration extends beyond the doll itself. Reese’s signature Angel Reese 1 basketball shoes will officially launch in early August. This gives fans a matching sneaker to go along with the collectible. Mattel’s Vice President and Head of Barbie, Nathan Baynard, explained the reasoning behind the honor. He pointed to Reese’s on-court success, business leadership and consistent advocacy for young girls. All of those qualities, he said, encourage kids to see their own potential as limitless.
What this moment means to Reese personally
Reese described the experience as a genuine dream come true. She said the doll is built around showing girls that no limit should define what they can achieve. She has never let others dictate what is possible for her. Every obstacle she has faced only strengthened her resolve instead. Her hope is that the doll encourages girls to embrace every part of themselves. She also wants them to chase their goals with real confidence.
Reese also spoke about how personal the design process felt to her. She said the doll does not just resemble her physically. It captures her actual spirit, too. The design includes her custom jersey numbers and her signature single legging. It also features the matching pink Reebok sneakers. Those details, she said, reflect both her love of basketball and her personal sense of style.
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How Reebok and TOGETHXR factored into the launch
Reebok partnered with Mattel to release a matching AR1 Barbie colorway sneaker alongside the doll. The shoe features pink accents and co-branded details across adult and kids’ sizing. Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky said the shoe was designed for a specific purpose. It lets fans match Reese’s exact look while celebrating her broader cultural influence.
The collaboration officially debuted during All-Star Weekend at TOGETHXR House in Chicago. TOGETHXR is the fast-growing women’s sports media company that Reese recently joined as a co-owner. The company hosted the launch event there. TOGETHXR senior vice president Bailey Williamson said the partnership reflects something bigger. Women’s sports are shaping culture faster than ever, and this moment goes beyond a simple product release.
What the Barbie represents for the next generation
For Reese, the deeper meaning of the collaboration centers on representation. She said the moment carries significance well beyond basketball. Her goal is to show young girls that ambition and authenticity can coexist without compromise. She described a Barbie as someone confident, authentic and unafraid to take up space. Those are qualities she has always tried to embody herself.
SOURCE: Yahoo
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