Bayou Barbie is no longer just a nickname; it’s officially a reality. Mattel has unveiled a new Barbie inspired doll WNBA superstar Angel Reeseturning her iconic moniker into a collectible. The collaboration celebrates Reese’s impact on sports, business, fashion and culture, while encouraging the next generation of girls to dream big and unlock their limitless potential.
The new Angel Reese Signature Barbie debuts today, July 24, and comes in a pink Barbie outfit with a matching basketball. The doll also features a matching Angel Reese 1 basketball shoe that will be officially released in early August 2026.
“Barbie celebrates role models who inspire girls to imagine what’s possible. From her achievements on the court and leadership in business to her tireless advocacy for girls, Angel Reese helps kids see that confidence, ambition and resilience can open countless doors. We’re proud to honor her through our Barbie Signature doll and collaboration with Reebok, giving fans new ways to celebrate Angel and everything she represents,” said Nathan Baynard, vice president and head of Barbie, Mattel.
The birth of Barbie is a “dream come true” for Angel Reese
Since entering the WNBA, Reese’s star has only continued to rise. During her rookie season, the LSU graduate teamed up with Reese’s to launch a limited-edition merchandise collection and even landed her own cereal box. Now she can add another milestone to her growing list of accomplishments: becoming a Barbie.
“Having my own Barbie doll is a dream come true for me. It’s such an incredible honor because it’s about showing girls that there are no limits to what they can achieve,” she said. “I’ve never let anyone define what’s possible for me, and every challenge I’ve faced has only made me stronger. I hope this doll reminds girls to be fiercely authentic, embrace every part of who they are, and follow their dreams with confidence.”
Angel Reese has a Barbie themed sneaker
To celebrate the new Barbie Reese doll, Reebok is also releasing a matching sneaker in a Barbie-inspired colorway (shown on the doll) that was created to match Reese’s on-court dominance and cultural presence on the court.
The new AR1 ‘Barbie’ shoe features pink accents and co-branded elements on the tongue and lining in both adult and kids sizes.
“We’re proud to make her debut as a Barbie doll in the Angel Reese 1 basketball shoe in this vibrant new Barbie colorway and bring that same style directly to fans,” said Todd Krinsky, CEO of Reebok. “This moment celebrates Angel’s impact on sports, style and culture while giving fans the opportunity to match Angel’s iconic look and be a part of the moment.”
Reese launches her Barbie during the star-studded weekend
Barbie teamed up with Reebok to debut the Reese’s Signature Barbie doll and matching AR1 sneaker at TOGETHXR House in Chicago during All-Star Weekend. TOGETHXR is the fastest growing women’s sports media company, co-owned by Reese.
“Women’s sports are evolving culture like never before, and this collaboration is proof of what’s possible when iconic brands invest in athletes who are leading the movement. At TOGETHXR, we’re proud to bring together partners like Barbie and Reebok with trailblazers like Angel Reese, who recently joined our ownership group, to create moments that celebrate the power and influence of women sports,” said Bailey Williamson, Senior Vice President of TOGETHXR.
Williamson added: “We’re thrilled that TOGETHXR House is the place where fans can experience this launch firsthand. It’s more than a product launch. It’s a celebration of the confidence, individuality and growing influence of female athletes in sport, style and culture, while showing the next generation how wide the future can be.”
Reese said getting her own Barbie is ‘surreal’
Reese spoke to PEOPLE about her new collaboration and called it a “full circle moment.”
“…Barbie is an iconic brand and being a part of that legacy is something I’m really proud of. For me, it’s about more than basketball. It’s about inspiring young girls to dream big, to be confident and to know that they can be who they are,” she said.
For Reese, seeing herself as Barbie “was surreal,” and she praised the brand for getting her Signature doll just right. What struck me the most was how thoughtfully every detail was brought to life,” she said.
She added: “What I love most is that he doesn’t just look like me; he really looks like me. My doll reflects my love for basketball and fashion because I’ve always believed that you should never have to choose between being tough on the court and being yourself off the court. Seeing every little thing come together made it incredibly personal and it was one of those moments where everything I’ve worked so hard for was really me impressed”.