Latest news with #BlackBarbie
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
UK's biggest Barbie fan says husband has given her a strict rule
Dawn Austin has some rare dolls worth thousands Dawn Austin is the UK's biggest Barbie fan - boasting more than 850 dolls in her ever-growing collection. The adult collector has splashed out more than £30,000 on Mattel merchandise, which has become "like family" and is now worth double that. The 45 year old has also taken up restoring Barbies in her free time, increasing the value of some of her dolls even further. She estimates her entire collection is now worth an astonishing £60,000 - and while husband Steve is supportive, he does have one rule: no dolls in the bedroom. Dawn and Steve are facing a space issue as her collection continues to expand. Speaking to What's the Jam, she said: "I have reached a certain stage with my collection, and I am faced with the dilemma of whether I should sell some items I am not as attached to any more in order to make space, or just move? "And [moving] does seem like a more likely option." Dawn's impressive collection has attracted attention from thousands on social media and even Mattel, the doll's manufacturer, sent her a special selection of gifts for Barbie's 65th anniversary. To protect them from dust and damage, Dawn displays her hundreds of dolls in glass cabinets throughout her house. The only room off-limits to her collection is the bedroom, which is Steve's one rule around his wife's hobby. Dawn said: "When I met Steve, he drove me to conventions and spent weekends with me scouring markets and charity shops. I fell in love with the craftsmanship and their history." She recently bagged one of the original Black Barbie dolls for a mere £10 at a toy show. And she boasts other coveted pieces like a Japanese exclusive skipper, a rare Korean wonder woman and a Ponytail Barbie number two valued at close to £6,000. Dawn has no intentions of parting with any item from her collection, however. She said: "I couldn't bear to ever get rid of them. They're like family to me." Not every purchase has been thrifty either. Dawn admitted she's splurged thousands on several dolls and only sells one if she's found another in better condition. Dawn, like many young girls, got her first doll during her childhood which sparked her "obsessed" phase. It led her to seek out Barbies at every opportunity until she grew out of it in her adolescence and even gave up her childhood collection. It was years later, as an adult, that she stumbled upon a doll listing on eBay, reigniting her passion. She said: "When the doll arrived, I was ecstatic. I bought more and more, and before I knew it, I had no room left. That didn't stop me, though. "As a child, Barbie was a character I could turn into anything I wanted her to be. She represented to me the idea that I could be anything I wanted to be – through the power of play and imagination, I could explore being a rock star, actress, doctor, even a nun. "Now, as an adult collector, I see her as a cultural icon of sorts. I enjoy the hunt for the items and find scrolling on eBay looking for them relaxing after work – it's a nice way to wind down." For those keen on starting their own impressive doll collection, Dawn offered some advice,saying: "For new collectors, I recommend buying what you love and what makes you happy. Try to get the items as mint as you possibly can, learn how to restore well, and set budgets and stick to them! Life in plastic is really fantastic."
Black America Web
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Netflix Renews Black Teenage Love Series ‘Forever' For Season 2
Source: Netflix / Netflix If you were hooked by the emotional rollercoaster of 'Forever,' Netflix's heartfelt teen romance, get ready—Season 2 is on the way. Created by award-winning storyteller Mara Brock Akil, the series returns to explore the next chapter in Keisha and Justin's love story, according to a press release published Wednesday. Inspired by Judy Blume's classic novel, 'Forever' follows two Black teens from opposite sides of Los Angeles who reconnect at a New Year's Eve party after years apart. Keisha, played by actress Lovie Simone, is a driven track star with dreams of attending historic Howard University and the weight of her family's future on her shoulders. Justin, portrayed by Michael Cooper Jr., struggles to navigate ADHD and is uncertain about his path in life, but he finds solace in music — and in Keisha. The first season delicately tackled the highs and lows of first love, family expectations, and identity, all set against the backdrop of 2018's social media-fueled world. Over eight episodes, viewers watched the teens navigate miscommunication, systemic pressures, and the unique realities of being Black in predominantly white spaces. By the season's end, Keisha and Justin chose to go their separate ways, not out of heartbreak, but out of growth. Season 2 promises to pick up where they left off, exploring how young love can evolve when both people are learning to stand on their own. Cooper Jr. shared that the first season of 'Forever' taught him about 'the importance of self-love' and power. 'You have to love and know yourself in order to love anyone else or create space for someone else,' the actor said. Simone, on the other hand, was enamored by the way Keisha and Justin remained confident and communicated their emotional needs throughout the show. 'The way these characters communicate is just so advanced,' the actress shared. 'It was nice to have a little bit of my faith restored in young love through this show. Young people can communicate.' Looking ahead to Season 2, Brock Akil teased that Keisha and Justin's relationship will face new challenges as they transition into college life. With the pressures of higher education and growing independence, the big question is: can their love survive this next chapter? 'Who are they going to be on the other side, or during that first semester? After all, Howard University has been Keisha's focus for far longer than Justin has,' the famous showrunner revealed. 'Howard is Keisha's first boyfriend, let's just be honest. I want to see who she is in this environment. For Justin, what is he going to do in this gap year, now that he's got a direction? He needs to figure out who he is outside of Keisha.' Brock Akil added, 'How do you re-engage, how do you go back through the door that you know is open?' Stay tuned. 'Forever' is far from over. SEE ALSO: 5 Ways Netflix's 'Forever' Gave Us the Young Black Love Story We Deserve 'Black Barbie' Documentary Is Netflix-Bound SEE ALSO Netflix Renews Black Teenage Love Series 'Forever' For Season 2 was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Arab News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Review: Netflix's documentary ‘Black Barbie' explores cultural, historical significance of the iconic doll
'Black Barbie' is a Netflix documentary released in 2023 that playfully explores the cultural and historical significance of the iconic doll, focusing on her evolution from a white, blonde, blue-eyed fantasy figure into a more inclusive line of dolls with a variety of skin tones, facial features, body types and hair textures. It is worth noting that the documentary debuted in March, many months before Greta Gerwig's fictional, pink-tinged, wildly successful blockbuster hit 'Barbie' was released in July of that same year. Regardless, this documentary feels like a necessary continuation to that narrative. Barbie has always been about style and fashion — dressing-up, accessorizing and imagining different lives for the doll through her wardrobe. But the documentary asks: What happens when only one kind of child — that fits a certain box — gets to live that fantasy? And, also, is Barbie more harmful than helpful in elevating us as a society? Is it really just about a doll? Directed by Lagueria Davis and executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, one of the most celebrated Black creators of her generation, the documentary explores the creation of the first truly representative Black Barbie — with distinct lips, hair and nose — and how it marked a clear departure from the earlier, more simplistic iterations, which were often just white dolls painted darker. They delve into the role of Ruth Handler, Barbie's creator, and how meaningful it was to the Black Mattel employees when Kitty Black Perkins, Mattel's first Black designer, was hired. The documentary also reflects on the infamous Clark doll test, a pivotal 1940s study by Black psychologists and married couple Kenneth and Mamie Clark where Black children were offered identical dolls — one white, one Black — and were tasked with choosing which of the dolls were 'nice' and which were 'bad.' The Black children overwhelmingly preferred the white dolls, and appeared hurt — offended even — when asked 'which doll is most like you?' The children seemingly felt forced to select the Black doll, which they associated with something 'bad.' This illustrated the deeply rooted psychological effects of racial representation — or the lack of it — in something as mundane as toys. This was clearly not just about a doll. Davis, a Black director and writer, was inspired to create 'Black Barbie' after learning about the pivotal role her aunt, Beulah Mae Mitchell, played in advocating for the first Black Barbie while working at Mattel. Although Davis admitted to never gravitating toward playing with Barbies as a child — she started to wonder why. She used this documentary to find out. Davis interviewed numerous people, scholars, notable figures on screen, each offering invaluable insights into their connection — or not — to a doll that looked like them, or didn't, reflecting on the significance of representation in toys and how generations of children had grown up without seeing dolls that accurately resembled them. Davis pondered on the fact that although her aunt and her came from different generations, the reality was the same: Blackness was not celebrated as much as it should have been then, and arguably, even now.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lizzo Slammed As A 'Sell-Out' Over Her Dramatic Weight Loss: 'This Will Have Consequences'
Lizzo's weight loss journey is seemingly about more than just health. A new report claims the singer has chosen to slim down in an effort to distance herself from the "drama of her past." The allegations in question stem from two separate lawsuits filed by four former employees, who accused Lizzo of sexual, racial, and religious harassment, as well as fostering a hostile work environment. Lizzo firmly denied the accusations last December and expressed her happiness over being dismissed from one of the lawsuits. Sources have informed the Daily Mail that Lizzo's ongoing weight loss journey isn't just about the rapper trying to live a healthier life. "By getting skinny and redefining who she is, even the way she acts and dresses, she feels like she is now emerging as this new person and that the drama of her past won't follow her," an insider told the outlet, referencing the legal scandal that hit Lizzo in 2023. According to the insider, Lizzo is determined to stay on this path, hoping she will no longer be associated with those accusations that deeply tarnished her image at the time. "She has pushed people who love her away, and she is now solely focused on becoming a beautiful Black Barbie," said the source. "She wants to be Beyoncé." They continued, "She has done everything that she can to identify as far away from the Lizzo that was accused of doing those inappropriate acts." As part of her weight loss journey, Lizzo has been sharing images of herself flaunting her slimmer figure, with some photos featuring her in two-piece underwear. While the singer has been open about her weight loss journey with her fans online, the move has reportedly rubbed some people the wrong way, given her long-standing reputation as a body positivity advocate. "She spent her whole career talking about how big is beautiful and telling women to be proud of their bodies," the source shared. "To those who knew her for a long time, all she is doing is becoming exactly what she spent the past decade saying she would never be." The insider added that many now view Lizzo as a "sell-out" and warned that the singer should expect some backlash in the future. They said, "She sold out and became what she thought the industry needs her to be instead of being herself. This will have consequences." The drama referenced by the source stems from a series of damning accusations made by four of Lizzo's former employees. In 2023, Lizzo's ex-dancers Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez filed a lawsuit accusing the singer of sexual harassment, fat-shaming, and fostering a hostile work environment. One of the most disturbing claims in their filing was that Lizzo pressured staff to participate in a bizarre act involving eating bananas protruding from performers' vaginas during a night out in Amsterdam. That same year, Lizzo's former stylist, Asha Daniels, filed a separate lawsuit against the singer. In it, she claimed she was "physically assaulted" and "threatened" by the singer's tour manager, Amanda Nomura, while working at Lizzo's Big Grrrl Big Tour company. Daniels also accused Lizzo of running a sexualized, racially charged, and illegal work environment. Some of Lizzo's ex-employees' claims have since been tossed out by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark H. Epstein, including Davis' fat-shaming allegations and dancers forced to be on "hold" despite not being on tour. But the case will still continue to trial. However, a source told the New York Post that the "Truth Hurts" hitmaker won't back down in her effort to fight off the "false" allegations. "There's a reason that Lizzo continues to fight long after most public figures would have settled – because these allegations are false and can't be allowed to stand," the insider told the news outlet. They added, "She is not going to stop fighting until every single one of these ridiculous smears is dismissed." Last December, Lizzo broke her silence about the lawsuit shortly after a court dismissed her from the case filed by her former hairstylist. The singer appeared on the "Baby, This Is Keke Palmer" podcast, where she expressed her happiness about the decision and called it a "big victory." "We're continuing to fight the other claims until they're all dismissed — not dropped, but dismissed," Lizzo added, seemingly referencing the still ongoing suit filed by her former dancers. In her appearance, Lizzo also vehemently refuted the accusations made by her former dancers. "These were people that — I liked them and appreciated them as dancers, respected them as dancers," Lizzo said at the time, per the Daily Mail. "So I was like, what? But then I heard all the other things like sexual harassment, and I was like, they're trying well, I don't know what they're trying to do, but these are the types of things that the media can turn into something that it's not." She added, "Let's be clear, I did nothing wrong."
Chicago Tribune
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin library's ‘Barbie Superstar' exhibit visits the iconic doll's most extravagant era
Barbie dolls may have changed dramatically over the decades but there's little doubt they were at their most extravagent 40 to 50 years ago, an era being revisited at Gail Borden Public Library's new Barbie Superstar exhibit. 'The free-to-attend exhibit captures the glamor, vibrancy, big hair and eye-catching fashion that mirrored the glitz and sparkle of the late 1970s through the mid-1980s,' library spokeswoman Natalie Kiburg said. 'Barbie dolls and accessories from the superstar era capture the societal shifts, fashion trends and cultural movements of this time, including women's evolving roles in society.' The exhibit is making its debut at the downtown Elgin library, 270 N. Grove Ave., made possible by a local, private collector who offered her extensive collection to be put on display, Kiburg said. 'Our talented and creative team has also designed engaging and life-size Barbie add-ons for visitors, including photo ops, a touch-screen fashion game, dress-up chances and more,' she said. About 500 Barbie dolls will be on display through Monday, March 31, including some from the 2000s and a few of her gal pals and guy friends. 'This particular collection also shows how representation expanded during this era with trailblazing dolls like Black Barbie, Hispanic Barbie and Great Shape Barbie,' Kiburg said. With March being Women's History Month, it seemed like a good time to offer the exhibit, she said. Additionally, with the box office success of the 'Barbie' movie in 2023 and the 65th anniversary of the Mattel doll's release having just passed, they're hoping there's public interest in learning more about the iconic toy and her inventor, Ruth Handler, she said. In order to make the exhibit more interactive, the library is inviting patrons to share their favorite Barbie stories and dolls by emailing short videos to the library at photos@ In addition, they've scheduled several Barbie-related programs this month: 'Barbie: The History of America's Most Famous Doll' will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6. The program will relay the story behind Barbie's creation and the influence the doll has had on American culture. Registration is required. Fashionista Storytime will feature a Barbie cosplayer telling family friendly stories followed by a meet-and-greet from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 7, in the library's Meadows Community Rooms. No registration is required. 'Meet Ruth Handler, Barbie's Creator: The Story Behind her Dream Doll Creation' will feature Lynn Rymarz telling the story of Barbie's creator, Ruth Handler, at 1 p.m. at the Rakow Branch, 2751 W. Bowes Road, Elgin, and again at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, at the main library. Attendees are invited to bring their own Barbie dolls to show to the group. Registration is required. A screening of the 2023 'Barbie' movie will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30. Pink lemonade and cookies will be served, and guests are encouraged to wear pink clothing. Registration is required. To register for programs, visit the library, go to or call 847-429-4597. For more information on the exhibit, go to
