Latest news with #BlackBarbie
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Barbie launches first doll with Type-1 diabetes. She wears glucose monitor and insulin pump
Barbie's world just got a little more real — and a lot more inclusive. Mattel has unveiled a groundbreaking new addition to its iconic Fashionistas line: a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes . Wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm and an insulin pump on her waist, this new Barbie is stylish, strong, and a symbol of representation for millions of children living with diabetes. The launch was made possible through a thoughtful collaboration with Breakthrough T1D, a leading diabetes organisation, ensuring the medical details were not only accurate but thoughtfully designed in Barbie's signature style. In photos shared by Barbie's official Instagram, the new doll proudly wears her CGM secured with heart-shaped tape — a realistic nod to the way many children wear their devices — and holds a pink phone displaying a glucose tracking app. Her waist-mounted insulin pump is just as important, delivering insulin as needed — a lifeline for anyone managing type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the body stops producing insulin. The Barbie is dressed in a blue polka-dot dress, with light blue boots and a matching purse. The colour blue itself is a global symbol for diabetes awareness, and a deliberate detail meant to spark conversation and understanding. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 지금, 유니세프 팀 팔찌 유니세프 지금 기부하기 Undo Barbie's Instagram account shared, 'The doll represents the incredible people living with T1D, and shows kids that a life with this condition is just as vibrant, fulfilling, and rich with possibilities.' According to Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls, Barbie plays a powerful role in shaping how children perceive the world around them. By representing medical conditions like type 1 diabetes, the brand aims to ensure that more children can feel seen and included in the stories they create and the dolls they love. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Barbie (@barbie) Internet reacts The launch of the new Barbie with type 1 diabetes has sparked an emotional wave of reactions online. One 47-year-old shared how they were diagnosed at age eight and had waited a lifetime to see such representation. Another person recalled being diagnosed at six in 1979, a time when there was no awareness or understanding of T1D, and children often misunderstood the condition as contagious. For many, this new Barbie feels like a long-overdue symbol of inclusion. Parents expressed gratitude too, with one mentioning how their daughter with T1D would be thrilled to see a doll that reflects her reality. Even adults who were diagnosed as children said they now feel seen — and are eager to share this meaningful doll with their own kids. Barbie's inclusivity This isn't the first time Barbie has stepped up her inclusivity game. In the 1960s, Mattel introduced its first Black Barbie dolls, followed by Hispanic dolls in the 1980s. In recent years, Barbie has expanded into more diverse territory than ever before — now offering more than 175 different Fashionistas dolls featuring a wide range of skin tones, hair textures, eye colours, body types, and disabilities. The line includes a Barbie with vitiligo, one who is blind, another with Down syndrome, and others with prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, and wheelchairs..
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mattel unveils first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes: 'We knew the time was right'
There's a sense of pride in seeing a Barbie doll that looks like you. Now, children with type 1 diabetes will understand what that feels like. The popular toy manufacturer on Tuesday unveiled the most recent addition to its ever-growing Barbie Fashionista line: the Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes. The intention, per a press release from Mattel, was to give more children the opportunity to 'see themselves in Barbie' as well as 'the world around them.' 'We know that children's early childhood experiences, especially play, help shape what they imagine to be possible, and it is important that they feel they are represented,' Krista Berger, Barbie's senior vice president and head of dolls at Mattel, told Yahoo in an email. 'The Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes is an important next step on our journey to ensuring every child can see themselves in Barbie.' To bring this Barbie to fruition, Mattel partnered with Breakthrough T1D, a type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, to ensure that the doll visually reflects the realities of living with the condition. With the organization's help, Mattel crafted a Barbie who wears a continuous glucose monitor that measures her blood sugar levels, which is secured to her arm with heart-shaped medical tape. She also has an insulin pump attached to her waist. This Barbie wears a blue polka-dot outfit — a blue circle is the global symbol of diabetes awareness — and carries a purse to hold any other necessities. Berger said Mattel's decision to launch the type 1 diabetes doll was inspired by one specific statistic. 'According to our partner on the doll, Breakthrough T1D, approximately 219,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20 around the world were diagnosed with T1D in 2024,' Berger wrote to Yahoo. 'That number is powerful — and personal for so many families around the world. Given that data and the meaningful conversations we've had with our Barbie fans, we knew the time was right to debut the first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes.' Launched in 2009, the Barbie Fashionistas line features more than 175 dolls with varying body types, skin tones, hair colors and textures, eye colors, disabilities and senses of style. A blind Barbie, a Black Barbie with Down syndrome, a Barbie with hearing aids and a Barbie with vitiligo are among the different dolls featured in the collection. Including a Barbie with type 1 diabetes felt both timely and appropriate. 'Introducing a Barbie with type 1 diabetes was a natural and meaningful addition to the Fashionistas line,' Berger wrote to Yahoo. 'It's another step in our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and to ensuring that all children feel seen, heard, and empowered through play.' Added Berger, 'By including medical conditions like T1D, we're broadening the scope of representation in the toy aisle and helping kids imagine a world that embraces and celebrates differences.'
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mattel unveils first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes: 'We knew the time was right'
There's a sense of pride in seeing a Barbie doll that looks like you. Now, children with type 1 diabetes will understand what that feels like. The popular toy manufacturer on Tuesday unveiled the most recent addition to its ever-growing Barbie Fashionista line: the Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes. The intention, per a press release from Mattel, was to give more children the opportunity to 'see themselves in Barbie' as well as 'the world around them.' 'We know that children's early childhood experiences, especially play, help shape what they imagine to be possible, and it is important that they feel they are represented,' Krista Berger, Barbie's senior vice president and head of dolls at Mattel, told Yahoo in an email. 'The Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes is an important next step on our journey to ensuring every child can see themselves in Barbie.' To bring this Barbie to fruition, Mattel partnered with Breakthrough T1D, a type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, to ensure that the doll visually reflects the realities of living with the condition. With the organization's help, Mattel crafted a Barbie who wears a continuous glucose monitor that measures her blood sugar levels, which is secured to her arm with heart-shaped medical tape. She also has an insulin pump attached to her waist. This Barbie wears a blue polka-dot outfit — a blue circle is the global symbol of diabetes awareness — and carries a purse to hold any other necessities. Berger said Mattel's decision to launch the type 1 diabetes doll was inspired by one specific statistic. 'According to our partner on the doll, Breakthrough T1D, approximately 219,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20 around the world were diagnosed with T1D in 2024,' Berger wrote to Yahoo. 'That number is powerful — and personal for so many families around the world. Given that data and the meaningful conversations we've had with our Barbie fans, we knew the time was right to debut the first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes.' Launched in 2009, the Barbie Fashionistas line features more than 175 dolls with varying body types, skin tones, hair colors and textures, eye colors, disabilities and senses of style. A blind Barbie, a Black Barbie with Down syndrome, a Barbie with hearing aids and a Barbie with vitiligo are among the different dolls featured in the collection. Including a Barbie with type 1 diabetes felt both timely and appropriate. 'Introducing a Barbie with type 1 diabetes was a natural and meaningful addition to the Fashionistas line,' Berger wrote to Yahoo. 'It's another step in our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and to ensuring that all children feel seen, heard, and empowered through play.' Added Berger, 'By including medical conditions like T1D, we're broadening the scope of representation in the toy aisle and helping kids imagine a world that embraces and celebrates differences.'
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
UK's biggest Barbie fan says husband has given her a strict rule
Dawn Austin has some rare dolls worth thousands Dawn Austin is the UK's biggest Barbie fan - boasting more than 850 dolls in her ever-growing collection. The adult collector has splashed out more than £30,000 on Mattel merchandise, which has become "like family" and is now worth double that. The 45 year old has also taken up restoring Barbies in her free time, increasing the value of some of her dolls even further. She estimates her entire collection is now worth an astonishing £60,000 - and while husband Steve is supportive, he does have one rule: no dolls in the bedroom. Dawn and Steve are facing a space issue as her collection continues to expand. Speaking to What's the Jam, she said: "I have reached a certain stage with my collection, and I am faced with the dilemma of whether I should sell some items I am not as attached to any more in order to make space, or just move? "And [moving] does seem like a more likely option." Dawn's impressive collection has attracted attention from thousands on social media and even Mattel, the doll's manufacturer, sent her a special selection of gifts for Barbie's 65th anniversary. To protect them from dust and damage, Dawn displays her hundreds of dolls in glass cabinets throughout her house. The only room off-limits to her collection is the bedroom, which is Steve's one rule around his wife's hobby. Dawn said: "When I met Steve, he drove me to conventions and spent weekends with me scouring markets and charity shops. I fell in love with the craftsmanship and their history." She recently bagged one of the original Black Barbie dolls for a mere £10 at a toy show. And she boasts other coveted pieces like a Japanese exclusive skipper, a rare Korean wonder woman and a Ponytail Barbie number two valued at close to £6,000. Dawn has no intentions of parting with any item from her collection, however. She said: "I couldn't bear to ever get rid of them. They're like family to me." Not every purchase has been thrifty either. Dawn admitted she's splurged thousands on several dolls and only sells one if she's found another in better condition. Dawn, like many young girls, got her first doll during her childhood which sparked her "obsessed" phase. It led her to seek out Barbies at every opportunity until she grew out of it in her adolescence and even gave up her childhood collection. It was years later, as an adult, that she stumbled upon a doll listing on eBay, reigniting her passion. She said: "When the doll arrived, I was ecstatic. I bought more and more, and before I knew it, I had no room left. That didn't stop me, though. "As a child, Barbie was a character I could turn into anything I wanted her to be. She represented to me the idea that I could be anything I wanted to be – through the power of play and imagination, I could explore being a rock star, actress, doctor, even a nun. "Now, as an adult collector, I see her as a cultural icon of sorts. I enjoy the hunt for the items and find scrolling on eBay looking for them relaxing after work – it's a nice way to wind down." For those keen on starting their own impressive doll collection, Dawn offered some advice,saying: "For new collectors, I recommend buying what you love and what makes you happy. Try to get the items as mint as you possibly can, learn how to restore well, and set budgets and stick to them! Life in plastic is really fantastic."
Black America Web
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Netflix Renews Black Teenage Love Series ‘Forever' For Season 2
Source: Netflix / Netflix If you were hooked by the emotional rollercoaster of 'Forever,' Netflix's heartfelt teen romance, get ready—Season 2 is on the way. Created by award-winning storyteller Mara Brock Akil, the series returns to explore the next chapter in Keisha and Justin's love story, according to a press release published Wednesday. Inspired by Judy Blume's classic novel, 'Forever' follows two Black teens from opposite sides of Los Angeles who reconnect at a New Year's Eve party after years apart. Keisha, played by actress Lovie Simone, is a driven track star with dreams of attending historic Howard University and the weight of her family's future on her shoulders. Justin, portrayed by Michael Cooper Jr., struggles to navigate ADHD and is uncertain about his path in life, but he finds solace in music — and in Keisha. The first season delicately tackled the highs and lows of first love, family expectations, and identity, all set against the backdrop of 2018's social media-fueled world. Over eight episodes, viewers watched the teens navigate miscommunication, systemic pressures, and the unique realities of being Black in predominantly white spaces. By the season's end, Keisha and Justin chose to go their separate ways, not out of heartbreak, but out of growth. Season 2 promises to pick up where they left off, exploring how young love can evolve when both people are learning to stand on their own. Cooper Jr. shared that the first season of 'Forever' taught him about 'the importance of self-love' and power. 'You have to love and know yourself in order to love anyone else or create space for someone else,' the actor said. Simone, on the other hand, was enamored by the way Keisha and Justin remained confident and communicated their emotional needs throughout the show. 'The way these characters communicate is just so advanced,' the actress shared. 'It was nice to have a little bit of my faith restored in young love through this show. Young people can communicate.' Looking ahead to Season 2, Brock Akil teased that Keisha and Justin's relationship will face new challenges as they transition into college life. With the pressures of higher education and growing independence, the big question is: can their love survive this next chapter? 'Who are they going to be on the other side, or during that first semester? After all, Howard University has been Keisha's focus for far longer than Justin has,' the famous showrunner revealed. 'Howard is Keisha's first boyfriend, let's just be honest. I want to see who she is in this environment. For Justin, what is he going to do in this gap year, now that he's got a direction? He needs to figure out who he is outside of Keisha.' Brock Akil added, 'How do you re-engage, how do you go back through the door that you know is open?' Stay tuned. 'Forever' is far from over. SEE ALSO: 5 Ways Netflix's 'Forever' Gave Us the Young Black Love Story We Deserve 'Black Barbie' Documentary Is Netflix-Bound SEE ALSO Netflix Renews Black Teenage Love Series 'Forever' For Season 2 was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
