Mattel launched a Whitney Houston Signature Barbie that recreates the singer’s 1987 “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” music-video look, including a purple tank dress, colorful drop earrings, bright eye makeup and a microphone stand. The $60 collectible goes on sale Aug. 8 at Target stores and online via Amazon, Walmart, Target and Mattel Creations. Pat Houston, executor of the Estate of Whitney E. Houston and president of the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation, collaborated with Mattel’s design team alongside Primary Wave Music on the doll’s wardrobe and signature glam. The doll will debut at the fifth annual Legacy of Love Gala in Atlanta, hosted by the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” was the lead single from Houston’s sophomore album Whitney, won the 1988 Grammy for best female pop vocal performance and was part of Houston’s run of seven consecutive No. 1 singles; the album was the first by a female artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The release joins Barbie Signature’s roster of dolls modeled after musicians and cultural icons, which previously included Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan and Mariah Carey.
