11 Non-Alcoholic Spirits, Beers, Wines, and Mocktails to Make the Most of Dry January
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
The "Princess of R&B" has been enshrined in plastic, and Mattel's new collectible doll celebrating Aaliyah's memory is nothing less than fantastic.
The latest entry in Mattel Creations' growing Music Series, the Aaliyah Signature Doll celebrates the late singer's birthday and her lasting influence on hip-hop culture. It's also an homage to her trendsetting Nineties style and hit music video for "One in a Million" -- the titular track of her multi-platinum sophomore album. She's wearing that moto-inspired outfit here, with a black faux leather top with matching pants, featuring studded lace-up detailing, sleek shades, and that hair swoop over one eye.
The Barbie team worked closely with Aaliyah's brother, Rashad Haughton, not only to develop the concept for the doll, but to make sure they were accurately capturing and celebrating her legacy and persona. "I can vividly remember my sister playing with her favorite Barbie dolls for hours when we were kids. She would make them sing, dance, and perform little concerts," said Haughton in a statement. "It's clear to me now that she was imagining dreams that would eventually become reality when she embarked on a career in entertainment at just fifteen years old."
Aaliyah came onto the R&B scene in 1994 with her debut single "Back & Forth," and would go on to earn an incredible three American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and five Grammy nominations over the course of her short but impactful career. Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001 at the age of 22. The last time an Aaliyah track was released was in 2021, when The Weeknd posthumously enlisted her vocals for the joint single "Poison".
As part of Mattel's Music Series, Aaliyah is the latest honoree to join the ranks of other musicians whose likenesses have been Barbie-fied, including Gloria Estevan, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Elton John, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, and most recently, Juan Gabriel. Initially released on Mattel's Creations shop and priced at $55.99, exclusively available to those who have the brand's membership, but it sold out almost immediately. The good news is that the Aaliyah doll is available now for preorder on Target, with a general release on Jan. 26. Shop the Aaliyah Signature Barbie here.