Mattel has released a new Barbie doll in honor of Rita Moreno’s upcoming 93rd birthday.
The doll of the trailblazing actress is part of the toymaker’s Barbie Tribute Collection, which showcases the contributions and immense cultural impact of women such as Moreno, who was the first Latina to win an Academy Award.
“I was a girl who decided to go for it, and despite the challenges I faced, I never gave up on my dreams,” Moreno said in a statement. “I hope this doll inspires in each and every girl today: to live their life with courage and resilience so that they can make their dreams a reality.”
The doll’s dress is inspired by the gown Moreno wore on the night she made history at the 34th Oscar ceremony in 1962, when she won best supporting actress for her role as Anita in “West Side Story.”
Born in Puerto Rico in 1931 and raised in New York City, Moreno went on to have an illustrious career that has spanned seven decades.
After “West Side Story,” she went on to win a Grammy, a Tony and in 1977 an Emmy, becoming only the third person to achieve EGOT status by winning all four of the most prestigious awards in show business.
From “One Day at a Time” and “Jane the Virgin” to “The Ritz” and other movies and TV shows, Moreno has joined countless projects that center on narratives of Latino families. Through her art and activism, she has advocated for more Latinos to tell authentic stories about their communities in Hollywood. Moreno has also defended several human rights and social justice causes, such as gender and racial equality.
Moreno’s remarkable career has been recognized by several other high-profile awards. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, the National Medal of Arts in 2009 and a Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime contributions in 2015. The Peabody Awards organization gave Moreno a career achievement award in 2019.
In 2021, she released the documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,” chronicling her extraordinary life and career, detailing the highs of her rise to stardom in Hollywood and the lows of the pernicious sexual abuse and relentless racism that she endured along the way.
According to Mattel, the company worked closely with Moreno to sculpt a doll that properly reflects the likeness of the iconic performer. They worked together on initial designs and final touches for the outfit.
“It’s an honor to celebrate Rita Moreno as the latest addition to our Barbie Tribute Collection,” said Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel. “She has shattered stereotypes and barriers for Latinas in the entertainment industry and beyond. Her fierce advocacy for the Latino community and her tireless commitment to pursuing her passions in the performing arts perfectly encapsulates Barbie’s mission to inspire the next generation.”
The Barbie Tribute Collection, which started in 2021, has honored other trailblazing women including Lucille Ball, Vera Wang and Laverne Cox.
While Moreno officially turns 93 on Dec. 11, the doll designed in her honor is already available online at the Mattel shop.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Barbie to bring this doll to life, and I hope it serves as a reminder to embrace your limitless possibilities and pursue your passions because when you embrace them, you’re bound to go far,” Moreno said.
Max Gao and Variety contributed.
