In celebration of Rita Moreno’s approaching 93rd birthday, Mattel has unveiled a brand-new Barbie doll.
The toy company’s Barbie Tribute Collection, which highlights the accomplishments and enormous cultural influence of women like Moreno—the first Latina to win an Academy Award—features the doll of the trailblazing actress.
As a girl, I made the decision to pursue my goals, and in spite of the obstacles I encountered, I never gave up,” 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 outfit is modeled after the clothing that Moreno wore on the night she won best supporting actress at the 34th Oscar ceremony in 1962 for her performance as Anita in “West Side Story.”
Moreno, who was born in Puerto Rico in 1931 and grew up in New York City, has had a remarkable career spanning seven decades.
She became only the third person to earn EGOT status by winning all four of the most prestigious accolades in show business after “West Side Story,” going on to win an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony.
Moreno has been in numerous films and television series that focus on the stories of Latino families, including One Day at a Time, Jane the Virgin, The Ritz, and others. She has pushed for more Latinos to share real tales about their neighborhoods in Hollywood through her art and activism. Additionally, Moreno has supported a number of social justice and human rights movements, including racial and gender equality.
Numerous more prestigious honors have been given in recognition of Moreno’s outstanding career. She was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime services in 2015, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, and the National Medal of Arts in 2009. In 2019, Morenoa received a career achievement award from the Peabody Awards organization.
Her remarkable life and career are chronicled in the documentary Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, which was released in 2021. It covers the highs and lows of her ascent to Hollywood celebrity, as well as the poisonous sexual abuse and unrelenting racism she faced during her journey.
Mattel claims that in order to create a doll that accurately captures the renowned performer’s likeness, the company collaborated closely with Moreno. They collaborated on the outfit’s preliminary designs and finishing touches.
According to Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel, it is a privilege to honor Rita Moreno as the newest member of our Barbie Tribute Collection. In the entertainment industry and beyond, she has broken down boundaries and preconceptions about Latinas. Barbie’s mission to inspire the future generation is aptly embodied by her unwavering dedication to following her passions in the performing arts and her fiery activism for the Latino community.
Since its launch in 2021, the Barbie Tribute Collection has celebrated other notable women like as Laverne Cox, Vera Wang, and Lucille Ball.
The doll created in Moreno’s honor is now available online at the Mattel store, even though her formal 93rd birthday is December 11.
“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, adding that it has been an incredible pleasure working with Barbie to bring this doll to life.
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