Kristi Yamaguchi, a renowned Olympic figure skater, has always had a special connection with Barbie dolls. As a young girl, she loved playing with them, and they became her “best friends” while she juggled a busy schedule filled with ice skating practices. Now, Yamaguchi herself has been immortalized as a Barbie doll.
Mattel, the company behind Barbie, announced on Wednesday that Yamaguchi would be included in their “Inspiring Women Series” as part of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.
Yamaguchi expressed her deep sense of pride and honor in being recognized not only for her Olympic achievements but also for being celebrated during AAPI Month.
She feels humbled to follow in the footsteps of iconic women she idolizes, such as Anna May Wong, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks.
This isn’t the first time Yamaguchi has been depicted as a doll. In the 1990s, the touring show Stars on Ice released a line of dolls modeled after notable skaters.
However, the Barbie version is far more detailed. Mattel meticulously recreated every aspect of Yamaguchi’s appearance at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, where she became the first Asian American to win an individual figure skating gold medal.
The doll wears the same sparkling black-and-gold brocade outfit designed by Lauren Sheehan, complete with a gold hair ribbon and a red-and-white bouquet, just like the one Yamaguchi held on the podium.
Yamaguchi is thrilled with the doll’s likeness, noting the resemblance in the face shape and the iconic ’90s bangs.
Her daughters, aged 18 and 20, were initially surprised that their mother qualified for a Barbie doll, calling the doll “way too cool.”
For Yamaguchi, being immortalized as a Barbie is more than just a toy; it’s a powerful symbol of representation and inspiration. She believes that when children see themselves or someone who inspires them in a doll, it opens up their world and imagination to what’s possible.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.