It’s not every day that an athlete gets a Barbie doll made in their likeness.
In fact, it’s only happened only twice in league history, now that three-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese has become the second player to become a Barbie.
On July 24, during the second day of WNBA All-Star weekend, the Angel Reese Signature Barbie doll became available nationwide. Reese earned the nickname “Bayou Barbie” during LSU’s 2023 national championship run.
Now, that nickname has evolved into something even bigger: a miniature
version of herself for young fans to hold in their hands.
And wear on their feet.
The Angel Reese 1 by Reebok in a Barbie-inspired pink colorway officially releases August 3, which is the same day Reese’s Atlanta Dream host the Las Vegas Aces for a Barbie-themed game night in State Farm Arena.
The doll sports a pink basketball jersey featuring Reese’s WNBA No. 5 on the front and her LSU No. 10 on the back, matching the jersey Reese modeled for the collection.
She holds a pink basketball with “Barbie” printed across the side, while a pink headband completes her signature sleek ponytail. She, of course, also is wearing the Barbie colorway of the Angel 1s on her feet.
Angel’s Barbie is, truly, a dream that became reality
Reese hopes the doll inspires young girls to embrace their confidence and believe in themselves, just as she did while reaching this milestone.
Here’s Reese statement on the doll’s release:
Having my own Barbie doll is a true 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.
I’ve never let anyone else 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 unapologetically themselves, embrace every part of who they are, and go after their dreams with confidence.
Reese also expressed that, ever since she’s been adopted the “Bayou Barbie” name, owning her own doll became one of her biggest goals, sharing during All-Star media availability:
I used to put Barbie stuff on merch, and I wasn’t really supposed to. So I told them (Mattel) I really want to have a Barbie doll one day.
To have a Barbie, you got to be iconic. You have to do some real things, and I knew it would take some time… I knew that’s what I wanted, and I spoke it into existence.
She was right.
As mentioned earlier, only one other iconic WNBA star achieved this feat, and it was after she retired.
Seattle Storm legend and Hall of Famer Sue Bird received her Barbie doll in 2024, after retiring in 2022. The doll honored Bird’s legacy throughout her career.
For Reese to attain this accomplishment while only being in the third year of her career, speaks volumes to the path she’s creating for herself in the league’s new era.
Everybody, from kids to adults to WNBA All-Stars, is celebrating Angel’s Barbie
During the Friday media sessions for WNBA All-Stars, nearly every reaction from Reese’s fellow players was filled with the same excitement.
“This is so cool!” Toronto Tempo’s Marina Mabrey said. “She’s really paving the way for female athletes to be branded and NIL. If I owned a business, I would sign Angel Reese for sure.”
Golden State Valkyries’ Gabby Williams was equally amazed. She asked if she could keep the doll, but was disappointed to realize that the one she received was just a prop. Williams said:
Imagine being young Gabby and seeing a Barbie doll like this with someone who’s obviously a great role model like Angel herself.
I’ve always been an Angel fan, I’ve been very vocal about that, so I’m definitely going to go to Target and go grab me one…What I love is that this is just authentically her. I think that’s the coolest part.
Later Friday afternoon, Reese hosted a Barbie event at the Togethxr House, where kids from the Boys & Girls Club, fans and one special young girl personally invited by Reese gathered to ask questions, tour the Angel Reese Dream Closet and purchase exclusive Reese x Barbie merchandise.
The significance of the doll reaches far beyond children
Adults helped sell out the Barbie on Amazon in less than 24 hours, with fans of all ages and backgrounds taking to social media to show their support after ordering the doll. They also expressed how inspired they felt to see their favorite player represented in doll form.
Reese continues building her portfolio on the court while embracing her new chapter in Atlanta. But returning to Chicago for All-Star weekend, the city where her WNBA career began, made the unveiling feel especially full circle.
Her message behind this project has remained consistent. She wants young girls who look like her to know they belong in every room they work hard to enter.
“When they (young Black girls) look on the shelf now, when they go on Mattel.com, they can see my doll and know that there’s opportunities for all of us,” Reese said. “Just know you can do anything you put your mind to.”
