UNITED STATES – JUNE 03: Photo of Aaliyah (Photo by Sue Schneider/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty … [+] Images)
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More than twenty years after her untimely passing, the Princess of R&B continues to hold a sturdy stake in the culture.
In collaboration with Aaliyah’s brother Rashad Haughton, Mattel is releasing a Barbie Music Collector doll that embodies the essence of the late R&B icon. This commemorative release is scheduled for January 16, 2025, which would have been Aaliyah’s 46th birthday, underscoring the enduring influence of her distinctive style, and acclaimed musical legacy.
The release of the Aaliyah-inspired Barbie doll was carefully planned to honor her legacy, with her birthday chosen as the perfect launch date. “Throughout the process, obviously, it takes a long time to get everything right and to do samples and to get the sculpts. And it’s amazing, but definitely a painstaking process,” Haughton reflected during our interview. “As the time went on, we started to realize that, you know what, this is going to fall, and the timing is going to be perfect. Let’s choose my sister’s birthday.” Emphasizing the significance of the date, they added, “It’s a celebration of her life, a celebration of her legacy…for it to happen on my sister’s birthday when she came into this world is just perfect.”
1997 file photo of Aaliyah at the Soul Train Awards (Photo by Barry King/WireImage)
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The doll’s design is inspired by Aaliyah’s iconic look from the opening scene of her “One in a Million” music video. Rashad Haughton worked closely with the Barbie design team to ensure that every detail accurately represented his sister’s style and what she meant to her fans. The process was meticulous, involving careful consideration of the many iconic looks throughout Aaliyah’s career.
Aaliyah’s style evolution was on full display in the “One in a Million” music video, where she embraced a more refined and feminine image, departing from her earlier tomboy vibe. The video showcased a striking departure from her previous sartorial choices, featuring a bold blend of masculine and feminine elements. Characterized by an iconic deep-parted swoop bang hairstyle and form-fitting leather attire, this stylistic shift set a new benchmark in 1990s fashion that has continued to exert lasting influence.
“One in a Million” garnered moderate commercial success, reaching number 25 on the US Hot 100 Airplay chart and topping the Hot R&B Airplay chart. It also achieved international recognition, ranking within the top 15 in both the UK and New Zealand markets. The track was nominated for the Best R&B/Soul Single – Female award at the 1998 Soul Train Music Awards. Directed by Paul Hunter, the accompanying music video was lauded for its futuristic aesthetics and Aaliyah’s graceful, sensual dance performances. Noteworthy visual elements included Aaliyah appearing on a sleek black Cadillac, interacting with paparazzi, and engaging in choreographed routines with a partner in coordinated outfits. The video’s impactful visuals and Aaliyah’s charisma solidified her status as an R&B trendsetter and fashion icon.
“Princess of R&B” Aaliyah Barbie Music Collector doll.
Barbie
When creating the Aaliyah-inspired Barbie doll, the team and Haughton worked closely with her stylist, Derek Lee, to ensure every detail accurately represented the late singer. “We actually contacted my sister’s stylist, which was awesome, and Barbie was right there. The team at Barbie was like, let’s make it happen. So, we got him on the phone and we just started going through all the outfits and saying, okay, let’s make sure what brand were those sneakers? What brand was that?” Ultimately, they chose the outfit from the opening shot of the ‘One in a Million’ music video, which symbolized a pivotal moment in Aaliyah’s career. “It was such an important and iconic song in her career. It sort of changed R&B music with the track by Timbaland and Missy on the backgrounds writing the song and that sort of triple beat.” The team noted the outfit’s ease to clear for production and how it captured Aaliyah’s signature blend of empowerment, class, and youthful appeal. “It just checked all the boxes of my sister with the midriff, but still being empowered and sort of having that young female sex appeal, but classy. And it worked perfectly because the doll is beautiful.”
Aaliyah’s distinctive “street to sweet” signature sound garnered critical acclaim and industry recognition. Throughout her career, she received five Grammy Award nominations, demonstrating her versatility and substantial impact on R&B music. Her nominations spanned various categories, including Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for songs such as “Are You That Somebody?”, “Try Again”, “Rock the Boat”, and “More Than a Woman”, as well as Best R&B Album for her self-titled release “Aaliyah”. These nominations highlight how Aaliyah’s innovative fusion of street-inspired beats and angelic, melodic vocals resonated with both critics and fans. Her ability to seamlessly blend urban edge with melodic sophistication set her apart in the R&B landscape, earning her recognition from the Recording Academy and cementing her status as a pioneering artist who pushed the boundaries of the genre.
377894 78: Aaliyah wins the MTV Award for Best video from a film September 7, 2000 at the MTV Awards … [+] at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. (Photo by George De Sota/Liaison)
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Aaliyah’s signature confidence and mystique remain central to her legacy. When I mentioned her “stance of confidence” and asked her brother Rashad about aspects of her personality and artistry that are often overlooked, he reflected on her sense of mystery. “I think, interestingly enough, now a lot of the things that may have been overlooked in the past are being appreciated. One would be the sense of mystery,” he explained. Rashad pointed to the “One in a Million” video as an example, where her iconic swooped hairstyle and eye patch sparked intrigue and even rumors. “I remember there being a rumor after that video came out saying, ‘Oh my God, does she have a lazy eye?’” he recalled, adding that those little moments contributed to her allure.
Rashad also emphasized the intentionality behind incorporating these details into the Barbie doll. “We made sure at Barbie that we added that to her hairstyle as well… Girls can play around and put that hair in her eye and remember all these interesting little moments and rumors that came out,” he said. He noted how Aaliyah’s sense of mystery, often absent in today’s era of constant access via social media, remains a nostalgic and celebrated aspect of her artistry. “It’s become something people look back on, this sense of mystery that performers and artists have. My sister created this sort of magic and mystery around her artistry, her films, and her music.”
Haughton shared how Aaliyah’s love for Barbie dolls as a kid came back around when she got her own Barbie doll later on – a cool full-circle moment. “Every girl has had their Barbie doll and where they go and they start their dreams about what it is to grow up or what it is to achieve your dreams. And so to know and saw it with my own eyes, my sister playing in her room with her Barbie dolls and dreaming and imagining what she would be when she got older,” he said. “Her career started at such a young age… and that to me is what empowerment is—to make your dreams come true. For my sister to be someone that every little girl says, ‘Wow, you can do it and you can make it happen,’ is truly special.”
Aaliyah with her Brother at the MTV 20th Anniversary party, “MTV20: Live and Almost Legal” at … [+] Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on 8/1/01. Photo by Evan Agostini/ImageDirect
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For Rashad Haughton, managing his late sister Aaliyah’s estate and preserving her legacy has been both a deeply emotional and fulfilling journey, one that he views as a continuation of their shared dreams, with him still working as her creative consultant, albeit in a different capacity. “Obviously, you know, I miss her, and at times it can be challenging because she’s not here,” he shared. “We had these dreams of me being behind the camera and her in front of the camera…what fills my heart is that it’s kind of like nothing’s changed in some ways.”
The Aaliyah Barbie serves as a testament to the lasting impact of the singer, connecting her 1990s legacy with present-day admiration. It is poised to become an iconic item, revered not only by enthusiasts of R&B and hip-hop but also by multiple generations who were influenced by Aaliyah’s music and fashion.
