Mattel launches an Anna May Wong Barbie as part of its Inspiring Women series to celebrate heritage month
Today, Mattel announced the newest Barbie in their Inspiring Women series: Anna May Wong. The announcement comes just months after the iconic Chinese American actress was chosen to be honored on U.S. quarters as part of the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters program.
Anna Wong, Anna May Wong’s niece, worked with Mattel and Barbie to develop the doll. In a statement to the Associated Press, Wong said, “I wanted to make sure they got her facial features and clothing correct. And they did!”
“I was born just after she passed away and it was very sad. But I grew up with her because my father and my aunt were very close,” Wong told NBC News. “I would see that there was this really pretty lady and I’d be looking at her pictures. As I got older, my father started telling me our history, about who she was and what she did for Asians, for women and for actors.”
Speaking of her aunt’s legacy, Wong said, “A lot of history is made by women who are strong women. My aunt was a very strong woman. She was tenacious. She fought against racism. She fought against stereotypical roles for Asians in Hollywood.”
In a statement to debut the doll, Barbie said, “The #Barbie Inspiring Women series is proud to spotlight the courageous life and legacy of Anna May Wong, widely considered the first Chinese American movie star. Earning her first leading role at age 17, she founded her own production company at 19 after growing frustrated at being typecast or sidelined as a supporting character.
#AnnaMayWong changed the course of Asian representation in Hollywood and left an indelible stamp on audiences around the globe, paving the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before.”
The Anna May Wong Barbie can be purchased here.
