Helen Mirren honored with own Barbie ahead of International Women’s Day

By Dean Murray via SWNS

Barbie has honored Dame Helen Mirren with a one-of-a-kind doll made in her likeness ahead of International Women’s Day.

Toymaker Mattel announced Wednesday, that the Academy Award winning actress is a ‘Barbie Role Model’ ahead of the doll's 65th anniversary on 9 March and International Women’s Day on March 8.

Mattel says the honor is in recognition of Dame Mirren's acting career "spanning decades and versatility as a storyteller breathing life into powerful and wide-ranging female stories for generations".

Dame Helen says: “I am absolutely blown away by my Barbie. To be chosen by Barbie as a Role Model is a huge compliment, and something I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams happening to me at this stage in my life.

"It's a very special thing, and something I can add to my list of my favorite achievements; becoming a Dame of the British Empire, having an Oscar, having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - and having my own Barbie!”

The doll recreates the iconic blue fashion look Mirren wore on the 2023 Cannes red carpet, where she debuted blue hair while wearing a cornflower blue gown by Del Core, and jewelry by Bulgari.

The likeness also carries a blue fan – one of Helen’s trademark red carpet accessories – and a miniature Oscar statue, in recognition of Helen’s 2007 Academy Awards® Best Actress win for The Queen.

Dame Mirren says “The intricacy and detail of the doll is extraordinary; I love that the Barbie doll is wearing one of my favorite ever red carpet looks, and it was the first time I’d ever had blue hair, and it felt so exciting. I like to embrace theatrical fashion and the joy that having fun with fashion can bring, and I think that this joy should be age-less. And the cherry on top of the cake is my doll having a miniature Oscar. It is an absolutely perfect reproduction.”

Barbie is also recognizing women worldwide who are shaping the future through their inspiring stories with a one-of-a-kind role model doll made in their likeness. The line-up includes: Helen Mirren (UK), Maira Gomez (Brazil), Viola Davis (USA), Nicole Fujita (Japan), Shania Twain (Canada), Kylie Minogue (Australia), Lila Avilés (Mexico).

Dame Mirren adds: “As an actor, after decades of roles; the importance of storytelling to me means telling stories about the whole of humanity, not just stories of youth or one type of story. Stories of young people are wonderful because they're just beginning life, they have energy and I love the fact that young people are constantly challenging what has come before them. But you know there are stories to be told about the whole of humanity, and all of our journeys, at all of our different ages in life.”