LeBron James Barbie doll goes on sale this month. How much is it?
Barbie makes LeBron James a ‘Kenbassador’
Lakers star LeBron James is the first pro athlete to get his very own Ken doll, it features James dressed in a varsity jacket with Beats headphones.
LeBron James continues to make history.
This month, the Akron native will be among the few to be immortalized into a Barbie – or should we say Ken – doll.
James has been chosen to a be part of the Barbie Signature Kenbassadors collection, which “celebrates influential Ken figures who are creating positive change and contributing to a better world for all.”
He’s the first-ever Barbie Kenbassador and first male athlete to be part of the new line, according to a post on the Barbie Instagram account.
The venture is in collaboration with the Laker star’s LeBron James Family Foundation who worked closely with James and the Barbie team in personalizing the doll’s outfit.
“A true MVP, our LeBron James Kenbassadors doll represents resilience, hope, and pride for the city of Akron, the world, and beyond,” a statement from what appears to the back of the doll’s box reads.
No matter where he goes, James always brings a piece of Akron with him.
“For the LJFF and the families we serve, this is so much more than a doll. It represents the reality that a kid from anywhere can make difference,” LJFF executive Michele Campbell said in a statement on Instagram. “We are incredibly honored to partner with Barbie to continue inspiring the next generation and to celebrate LeBron’s unwavering commitment to his community by giving back through the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll.”
LeBron James Ken doll ‘fit
As seen in posts going around social media, the LeBron doll sports a blue and white letterman jacket with LJ on the front, and LeBron in all caps across the back with “Just a Kid from Akron” in a script font underneath. On the left sleeve, there’s the green and gold crown logo from his foundation and a blue and black Ohio patch, and on the right, there’s a 23 patch.
Underneath the jacket, he’s wearing a black We Are Family T-shirt from his foundation, along with black and white houndstooth pants and blue and white Nike Terminator High sneakers.
Some notable details of the doll are a pair of black Beats headphones, a gold watch, a green I Promise wristband, a black cap, a black pair of sunglasses and a black crossbody fanny pack.
The facial resemblance is also worth pointing out, as it’s pretty darn close to what King James really looks like. A few of the superstar’s tattoos are also present on his arms.
When will the LeBron James Barbie doll be available?
According to a post from the Barbie Instagram account, the Barbie Signature LeBron James Kenbassador doll will be available on April 14.
How much is the LeBron James Barbie?
From multiple posts online and on social, the doll is going for $75.
How to buy LeBron James Barbie doll?
The Barbie Instagram account also noted that the doll would be available for purchase in select Target stores and online with other retailers and at Mattel Creations.
In a comment on James’ foundation’s post about the doll, House Three Thirty wrote, “Can’t wait for him to go on sale inside the Retail Shop 👀” implying that it’ll also be available for purchase there. House Three Thirty is located at 532 W. Market Street in Akron.
The Hot 107.9 radio station posted on Instagram that “this release coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Black Barbie, a milestone in representation in the toy industry.”
Social media reaction to LeBron James Barbie
The reaction online appears to have been positive so far, however, some fans questioned why the LeBron doll wasn’t wearing his own brand of shoes.
Here are a few of the Instagram comments that were seen:
“Absolutely buying it lol.”
“THIS FIT HIM! OKAY LEBARBIE!”
“Ngl. This actually goes kinda hard. Congrats to him.”
Even Lisa Leslie chimed in saying, “Come on for culture 🔥🔥🔥 I ❤️it!!!”
“Yep. LeBarbie going right up on the shelf 😂🔥👏🏾👑🐐💯”
Another commenter expressed her desire for James’ counterpart in Barbie form: “I want a Savannah doll tho but this is nice lol.”
History of Black Barbies
Spartanburg’s Kitty Black Perkins on creating the first black Barbie
Kitty Black Perkins talks about her career at Mattel, being the first black designer at the company and creating the first black Barbie.
Josh Morgan, Greenville News
The first Black Barbie was designed by a Black woman, Kitty Black Perkins, a South Carolina native. She was also the first Black designer for Barbie when she was hired by Mattel in 1976 at age 28.
She designed the first Black Barbie four years later.
Her first six outfits for Mattel, designed for a job interview with the company, were a hit.
“Mattel put all six in the line that year,” Perkins said in a 2019 interview with the Greenville News. “And it was amazing.”
As she rose in the company, she made a point to hire more Black designers along the way.
She told People.com last year that when she got to Mattel there was always talk about making a Black doll.
“This took on a life of its own, and I think that the right person was listening because the VP of marketing at that time, his name was Steve Nelson, and he came to me and he said, ‘Kitty, what do you think about us actually doing a Black Barbie?’ And I told him, ‘I think it’s absolutely fantastic, and we’ve been wanting to do that for years.’ And he said, ‘Well, I think it’s about time.’”
This story has been updated with new information on the doll’s release date.
Former Greenville News reporter Anna B. Mitchell contributed to this report.
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