Angel Reese says creating her Barbie doll is a ‘full-circle moment’: ‘I’ve been a Barbie girl for as long as I can remember’

Angel Reese reflects on designing a Barbie that celebrates every chapter of her journey from LSU to the WNBA, and inspires the next generation.

Long before gaining the nickname “Bayou Barbie” Angel Reese says she was a Barbie girl. So, when Mattel asked to collaborate to make a doll in her likeness, the WNBA star describes the moment as “surreal.” 

“I’ve been a Barbie girl for as long as I can remember,” Reese told theGrio reflecting on her younger self. “She’d probably be screaming. Little Angel always dreamed big, so I think she’d be excited to see just how far those dreams have taken her. She always believed in herself, but seeing herself with her own Barbie would still be an incredible full-circle moment.” 

Ahead of all-star weekend, Reese and the Barbie retailer teamed up to unveil the Angel Reese Barbie Signature Doll. Sporting a long ponytail and an all-pink basketball uniform, Reese intentionally selected every element of the doll. 

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“I never realized how much thought, time, and detail goes into creating a Barbie until I was part of the design process. We talked through every element because I wanted it to feel authentic–not just look like me, but truly capture my ethos, too,” the Atlanta Dream star noted. “One detail people might not notice right away is the jersey. It includes both #5 [her number in the WNBA] and #10 [her LSU number], representing different chapters of my journey that helped shape who I am today.” 

Additionally, Reese’s doll is seen wearing a special edition of the WNBA player’s signature Reebok shoe. However, what makes that detail so special for Reese is that just as fans are shopping for the Angel Barbie, they can also shop the Reebok Angel Reese 1 Basketball Shoes in a new Barbie-inspired colorway, giving them a chance to match with their dolls.

Though the doll showcases Reese’s athletic side, the Maryland native says it represents her life as a multi-hyphenate. 

“When I look at my Barbie, I see my confident, authentic self,” she shared. “Basketball is a huge part of who I am, but I’ve always believed you don’t need to stay in any one lane. I love fashion, I love business, I love creating opportunities for young women and girls, and I’ve always believed you don’t have to choose just one dream. Like, if my Barbie lived in the DreamHouse, she’d be unapologetically herself and never afraid to go after her dreams. She’d go from practice to a photoshoot to recording a podcast without missing a beat. She’s proof you can be an athlete, an entrepreneur, a model—you can do it all. Nobody gets to put you in one box.”

She continued: “I hope that when a young girl unboxes this doll that she sees herself. That’s the biggest thing. I want her to look at this Barbie and know she belongs anywhere she wants to be, and that she never has to shrink herself to make other people comfortable. I’ve had people tell me I’m too confident, or too loud–but being myself is exactly what got me here.

I hope she leaves behind the idea that she must change who she is to be successful. I want her to know she can dream big, work hard, and take up space exactly as she is.”

Learn more about where to shop for the Angel Reese Barbie doll here.