What do you give a woman who’s already won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards? If you’re Mattel, the answer is obvious: you immortalize her as a Barbie. This week, in honor of Rita Moreno’s 93rd birthday, the toy giant released the Barbie Tribute Collection Rita Moreno Doll, honoring the trailblazing actress who has been shattering barriers for Latinos in Hollywood for decades.
“I was a girl who decided to go for it, and despite the challenges I faced, I never gave up on my dreams,” Moreno said in a statement. “I hope this doll inspires in each and every girl today: to live their life with courage and resilience so that they can make their dreams a reality.”
Rita Moreno Paves the Way
Born on December 11, 1931, in Puerto Rico, Moreno moved to the United States when she was four years old. From her groundbreaking role as Anita in the 1961 film “West Side Story,” which earned her an Academy Award in 1962, to her more recent work in “One Day at a Time” and “80 for Brady,” the Puerto Rican actress, singer, and dancer paved the way for many Latinos in Hollywood.
Alongside her EGOT status – she’s one of only 21 performers, and the first Latina, to win an EGOT (aka winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards) – Moreno has been honored for her cultural impact away from the cameras and the stage.
“Moreno’s remarkable career has been recognized by several other high-profile awards. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, the National Medal of Arts in 2009 and a Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime contributions in 2015. The Peabody Awards organization gave Moreno a career achievement award in 2019,” NBC writes.
More than a doll
The Rita Moreno Barbie is as glamorous as the woman it honors. Mattel’s designers took inspiration from her red carpet looks, adorning the doll with opera-length gloves, statement earrings, sleek heels, and a perfectly coiffed updo. The doll is meant to exude Moreno, a symbol of grace, power, and resilience.
According to USA Today, Mattel wanted to feature Moreno’s activism despite “the obstacles of sexism and discrimination” with its newest celebrity doll.
“Her fierce advocacy for the Latino community and her tireless commitment to pursuing her passions in the performing arts perfectly encapsulates Barbie’s mission to inspire the next generation,” Krista Berger, Barbie SVP and Mattel’s global head of dolls explained in a statement.
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The Rita Moreno Barbie is on sale now for $40 at Walmart, Target, and online at Mattel, only for “Barbie Club 59 members.”
At 93, she’s still proving that age is just a number and that trailblazers never stop blazing trails. So, what’s next for Rita Moreno?
