Bayou Barbie is no longer just a nickname; it’s officially a reality. Mattel revealed a new Barbie doll inspired by WNBA superstar Angel Reeseturning his iconic nickname into a collector’s item. The collaboration celebrates Reese’s impact in sports, business, fashion and culture while encouraging the next generation of girls to dream big and realize their limitless potential.
Angel Reese has her own Barbie doll!
The new Angel Reese Signature Barbie debuts today, July 24, and comes in a Barbie pink outfit with a matching basketball. The doll also wears matching Angel Reese 1 basketball shoes, which will officially launch in early August 2026.
“Barbie honors role models who inspire girls to imagine what’s possible. From her on-the-field achievements and entrepreneurial leadership to her tireless advocacy for girls, Angel Reese helps kids understand that confidence, ambition and resilience can open countless doors. We’re proud to honor her through our Signature Barbie doll and our collaboration with Reebok, giving fans new ways to celebrate Angel and everything she represents,” said Nathan Baynard, vice president and director of Barbie at Mattel.
Having a Barbie is a ‘dream come true’ for Angel Reese
Reese’s star has only grown since entering the WNBA. During her rookie season, the LSU alum teamed up with Reese’s to launch a limited-edition merch collection and even landed on 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 true dream come true for me. It’s an incredible honor because it’s about showing girls that there are no limits to what they can achieve,” she said. “I never let anyone else define what was possible for me, and every challenge I’ve faced has only made me stronger. I hope this doll reminds girls to be unapologetically themselves, to embrace every aspect of who they are, and to confidently pursue their dreams.”
Angel Reese has a Barbie-themed sneaker coming
To celebrate the new Reese Barbie doll, Reebok is also releasing a matching sneaker in a Barbie-inspired color (featured on the doll), which was designed to match Reese’s on-court dominance and cultural presence.
The new AR1 “Barbie” shoes feature pink color accents and co-branded elements on the tongue and insole in adult and child sizes.
“We’re proud to see Barbie doll debut Angel Reese 1 basketball shoes 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 chance to embrace Angel’s iconic look and be part of the moment.”
Reese Launches Barbie During All-Star Weekend
Barbie teamed up with Reebok to launch Reese’s Signature Barbie doll and matching AR1 sneakers at TOGETHXR House in Chicago during All-Star Weekend. TOGETHXR is the fastest growing women’s sports media company, of which Reese is a co-owner.
“Women’s sports is driving culture like never before, and this collaboration is proof of what’s possible when iconic brands invest in the athletes leading this movement. At TOGETHXR, we’re proud to bring together partners like Barbie and Reebok with pioneers like Angel Reese, who recently joined our ownership group, to create moments that celebrate the power and influence of women’s sports,” said Bailey Williamson, Senior Vice President of TOGETHXR.
Williamson added: “We’re thrilled that TOGETHXR House will be the place where fans will be able to experience this launch in person. It’s more than a product release. 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 big the future can be.”
Reese said having her own Barbie was ‘surreal’
Reese spoke with PEOPLE about her new collaboration and called it “coming full circle.”
“…Barbie is an iconic brand, and being a part of that legacy is something I’m really proud of. For me, it’s bigger than basketball. It’s about inspiring young girls to dream big, to be confident in themselves, and to know that they can be exactly who they are,” she said.
For Reese, seeing herself as a Barbie “was surreal” and she praised the brand for tailoring her Signature doll perfectly. What impressed me the most was how every detail was highlighted,” she said.
She added, “What I love most is that she doesn’t just look like me; she really looks like me. My doll reflects both my love of basketball and fashion because I always felt like there was never a choice between being fierce on the court and expressing who you were off it. Seeing every little detail come together made it incredibly personal, and it was one of those moments where everything I’ve worked so hard for really resonated with me. hit.”
