Mattel has honoured Aaliyah with her very own Barbie doll, the latest in its Music Series.
The doll is released today (January 16), which marks the 46th birthday of the late "Princess of R&B," who was killed on August 25, 2001 when her plane crashed leaving the Bahamas. She was only 22 years old.
Paying tribute to her iconic look from the "One in a Million" music video, the doll comes with her black faux leather ensemble, as well as sunglasses and Aaliyah's signature sweeping swoop hairstyle covering one eye.
"Aaliyah's smooth vocals and innovative sound helped shape ’90s R&B, and her influence on music and fashion continues to be felt today," the product description reads. "Our tribute to “Babygirl’s” life and sound will take any collection to the top of the charts."
In a statement, Aaliyah's brother Rashad Houghton recalls his sister's love for the toy.
"I can vividly remember my sister playing with her favorite Barbie dolls for hours when we were kids. She would make them sing, dance, and perform little concerts," Haughton said. "It's clear to me now that she was imagining dreams that would eventually become reality when she embarked on a career in entertainment at just fifteen years old."
"Inspiring confidence, belief in yourself and embracing who you truly are is the essence of Barbie. My sister would be ecstatic to see her legacy celebrated this way," he added.
Aaliyah's friend and mentor Missy Elliott also shared news of the doll on socials, writing, "Babygirl the IMPACT that you have left in the years you spent here with the world is UNDENIABLE🙌🏾Leaving generations to know your name “AALIYAH ” They continue to learn of your UNIQUE Music ORIGINAL Style & GLOWING personality🙏🏾 You will NEVER be 4Gotten💜 Much love to you @RAD_6 your sis would be proud🙏🏾☺️🎂"
For more information and images of the Aaliyah doll, which is currently sold out, visit the Mattel site.
Other artists to receive dolls in Mattel's Barbie Music Series include Gloria Estefan, Tina Turner, and most recently, Stevie Nicks.
For more about the life of Aaliyah, listen to iHeartRadio's Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love for our episode on her 2000 hit, "Try Again."
Babygirl the IMPACT that you have left in the years you spent here with the world is UNDENIABLE🙌🏾Leaving generations to know your name “AALIYAH ” They continue to learn of your UNIQUE Music ORIGINAL Style & GLOWING personality🙏🏾 You will NEVER be 4Gotten💜 Much love to you… https://t.co/dD3GY86HCJ
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) January 16, 2025