Whitney Houston has been honoured with her very own Barbie doll, nearly four decades after one of her biggest hits first captured audiences around the world.
The late singer has been added to the Barbie Signature Series, joining a star-studded line-up of musicians and cultural icons who have been immortalised as dolls, including David Bowie, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Elton John and Elvis Presley.
The new doll pays tribute to Houston’s iconic look from the music video for her 1987 hit I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).
It features the singer wearing a vibrant pink bodycon midi dress, colourful statement earrings and white-and-blue heels. Her distinctive 1980s-inspired fringe and long, curly hair complete the look, recreating one of the most recognisable images from the early years of her career.
The doll was unveiled at the fifth annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love gala, an event held to support the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation. The organisation works to support young people and help them pursue their potential.
The tribute comes as the world marks almost 40 years since I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) was released. The song became one of Houston’s signature tracks and remains a defining moment in the singer’s extraordinary career.
Houston joins a growing list of music stars to have received the Barbie treatment. Miley Cyrus, Kylie Minogue, Gloria Estefan and Juan Gabriel are among the other artists celebrated through the Barbie Signature Series.
Houston rose to international fame after being signed as a teenager and went on to become one of the best-selling recording artists in music history.
During her career, she delivered a string of hugely successful songs, including How Will I Know, Saving All My Love For You and her acclaimed rendition of I Will Always Love You, which became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Her powerful voice and distinctive performances earned her widespread acclaim and cemented her status as one of the most influential singers of her generation.
Houston died in 2012 at the age of 48, but her music has continued to resonate with audiences around the world.
The new Barbie serves as a tribute to the singer’s enduring influence on music, entertainment and popular culture, while introducing her legacy to a new generation of fans.
