In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, Barbie is thrilled to honor US figure skating champion and Olympic gold medalist, Kristi Yamaguchi, with an Inspiring Women doll.
As the first Asian American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating, a best-selling author and children’s literacy advocate, Yamaguchi is a trailblazer on and off the ice. She is a source of inspiration for young girls across the globe to relentlessly pursue their passions.
Not only did Barbie work closely with Yamaguchi herself to sculpt a doll in proper reflection of her likeness but as part of the launch and continued support of the AAPI community, Barbie is also making a donation to Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream and Aspire (Asian Sister Participating in Reaching Excellence, Inc.), an organization committed to building and empowering a community of Asian American women leaders through identity development, mentorship, and education.
The Kristi Yamaguchi doll is now available on the Mattel Shop, Amazon, Walmart and Target for an SRP of $35.
The Kristi Yamaguchi Barbie doll wears a black leotard with shimmering gold accents, inspired by the figure skater’s costume from the 1992 Olympic Games when she won the gold medal. The doll’s accessories are accurate to Yamaguchi’s legendary ice-skating Olympian performance, with a gold ribbon in her hair, silvery earrings, a celebratory bouquet, and white skates to complete her look.
Despite her monumental Olympic triumph in 1992, Kristi Yamaguchi faced biases that limited her opportunities for endorsements and media exposure upon her return to the United States. Now, she is celebrated for her continued support of Asian American athletes, including Alysa Liu and Karen Chen, through mentorship and sponsorship. Her courage and perseverance in the face of adversity paved the way for generations of Asian American athletes for years to come.
In 2018, Barbie debuted the Inspiring Women Series, a doll line that pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time; courageous women who took risks, changed rules, and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before. Over the last year, the series has paid tribute to Celia Cruz, Anna May Wong, Bessie Coleman Wilma Mankiller and now, Kristi Yamaguchi.
In previous years, the series recognized Ida B. Wells, Dr. Jane Goodall, and Madam C.J. Walker for their crucial impact on civil rights, conservation, and female entrepreneurship, respectively. Others who have been honored as part of the Inspiring Women Series™ include Dr. Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, and Sally Ride.