In the February 2016 issue of Guideposts, Misty Copeland shared her inspiring journey to become the first Black woman principal ballerina in American Ballet Theatre’s history. Now, Copeland has received another honor: a Barbie doll in her image from Mattel.
READ MISTY’S GUIDEPOSTS COVER STORY: ‘MADE TO DANCE’
In character as the star of the Russian ballet Firebird, Copeland’s Barbie is dressed in a red bodysuit, ballet slippers, a tutu and a red tulle headpiece. It retails for $29.95 from Mattel’s “Sheroes” collection, which honors groundbreaking women like two-time Guideposts cover star Kristen Chenoweth, award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay, and actress Zendaya. The pre-order for the collector’s item sold out within minutes of Monday’s announcement and will be available next week in nationwide retailers and on Barbie’s website.
GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF MISTY’S GUIDEPOSTS COVER SHOOT
“She was a way for me to dream,” Copeland says of Barbie’s influence on her as a child. Now, she’s hoping her doll will help more children to hear her story and feel inspired to be anything they want to be.
“I think it’s very important for a young person to not set limits on what their dreams are,” she says. “If you have something in your mind that you feel strongly about, give it your all.”
