On Jan. 16, Mattel, the powerhouse behind the iconic Barbie doll, released a special edition Barbie to commemorate what would have been Aaliyah’s 46th birthday.
Singer Aaliyah (Aaliyah Dana Haughton) poses for photos backstage after her performance during the Big Beat/Atlantic Records showcase at the Impact Music Convention at the Fontainebleau Hilton Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida in April 1997. Source: Raymond Boyd / Getty
The $55 doll, which sold out within moments of the announcement, beautifully captures the essence of Aaliyah, the “Princess of R&B,” in a striking likeness. Dressed in a chic faux leather ensemble inspired by the Detroit-born star’s legendary look from the “One in a Million” music video, the doll exudes the same effortless cool that defined Aaliyah’s style.
The limited-edition item features a black crop top and matching pants with studded lace-up details, while bold statement shades, a zippered vest, and detached sleeves add an edgy, moto-inspired flair — all perfectly embodying Aaliyah’s iconic yet laid-back fashion sensibility.
Mattel posted a series of photos of the special doll on their Instagram page Thursday with a tribute to the late singer that read, “One in a Million ð¶ï¸ Today on Aaliyah’s birthday, Barbie honors the Princess of R&B’s unmatched legacy as a once-in-a-generation talent. A rising star who left an unforgettable mark on pop culture, the Aaliyah Barbie doll remembers her iconic style, keeping her influence alive across generations.”
According to The Detroit Free Press, those who missed out on snagging the limited edition doll through Mattel’s website may still have a chance to claim one at Target, where they will remain on sale throughout today.
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Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty
Aaliyah’s incredible career.
Aaliyah’s groundbreaking blend of soft, melodic vocals with bold, infectious beats redefined contemporary hip-hop and R&B in the late ’90s and 2000s, creating a signature sound she called “street to sweet.” Her career took off with the release of her debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number (1994), when she was just 15 years old. The album featured hits like “Back & Forth” and “At Your Best (You Are Love),” which showcased her mature vocal ability.
Her second album, One in a Million (1996), solidified her as a global superstar and featured iconic tracks like “If Your Girl Only Knew,” “One in a Million,“ and “Try Again.“ The star’s sophomore project peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and hit No. 18 on the Billboard 200. Its success was largely due to her innovative production collaborations with Timbaland and Missy Elliott, a duo that helped to define the sound of the late ’90s and early 2000s R&B.
Aaliyah also ventured into acting, starring in films such as Romeo Must Die (2000) and Queen of the Damned (2002), further expanding her influence across entertainment.
Tragically, the star’s life was cut short on August 25, 2001, when she died in a plane crash at the age of 22, shortly after filming a music video for her song “Rock the Boat.“ Her untimely death left a void in the music industry, but her legacy endures, as she is remembered as one of the greatest and most innovative artists of her generation.
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