Netflix Trailer Reveals Origin Story of Iconic First Black Barbie
A story about the world’s first Black Barbie is coming to Netflix. The streaming platform released the trailer on Tuesday (June 4). According to Netflix, Black Barbie will explore the impact of three Black women at Mattel responsible for the Black Barbie debut.
It wasn’t until 1979 that Mattel’s first Black Barbie hit the scene. It was available for purchase a year later, in 1980. The first Black Barbie was designed by Louvenia “Kitty” Black Perkins, a South Carolina native. As reported by Dolls Magazine, Perkins landed an interview with Mattel after answering a blind ad.
In addition to Kitty Black Perkins, the documentary will also highlight Beulah Mae Mitchell and Stacey McBride Irby.
Even though Black Barbies did exist in the “Barbie-verse” prior to 1980, there wasn’t a stand-alone doll in retail. There were three black fashion dolls from Mattel, Francie (1967), Christie (1968), and Julia (1969), according to Dolls Magazine.
What to expect from “Black Barbie” on Netflix
The documentary will cover what went down at Mattel in the days leading up to the doll’s debut. It will explore the importance of representation and “how dolls aren’t just dolls, but childhood symbols that can be crucial to identity formation and imagination.”
Black Barbie is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers for Shondaland, Grace Lay and Sumalee Montano for LinLay Productions, Camilla Hall for Lady & Bird Films, as well as Milan Chakraborty and Jyoti Sarda.
Watch the trailer
The trailer highlights the importance of the Black Barbie creation. It shows a Black girl playing with a Black Barbie doll as she describes the doll saying, “Really pretty. It has locks, just like me,” while holding her own hair.
“I designed Black Barbie to reflect the total look of a Black woman,” said one woman featured in the trailer.
Looking at the comments under the trailer on YouTube, many people are excited about the documentary. “Black barbie is magical,” someone commented. One person referred to how far the toy company has come saying, “I can’t wait! There were only white Barbies when I was a little girl. It took a little time, but I say bravo to Mattel for their inclusivity!” Another person said, “This is an awesome concept, and can’t wait to watch.”
Since 1980 Mattel has produced dolls reflecting all body types and skin tones. They even revamped the historic Black Barbie in 2020. You may even remember dolls with the likeness of Diana Ross, Janet Jackson, Halley Barry, Destiny’s Child, Raven-Symone, Brandy, and Nicki Minaj. Last year, Mattel debuted the Disney Little Mermaid Ariel Doll, inspired by the movie featuring singer and actress Halle Bailey. In May Mattel rolled out dolls to honor Venus Williams and other athletes.
Black Barbie will hit Netflix on June 19.
