Mariah Carey is getting all dolled up for the holidays…
Mattel is releasing a special Barbie doll to celebrate the 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning songstress and Queen of Christmas this holday season.
The Mariah Carey Barbie was released on Friday, November 17 via Mattel Shop and Amazon.
Capturing Carey’s “signature flair and dazzling style,” the doll wears a glittery, trumpet gown with matching red heels. The festive, red dress features ruched overlay with a dramatic slit and sparkly silvery jewelry. The doll also holds a silver microphone and wears a tiny replica of Carey’s butterfly ring.
Carey holds many Hot 100 records. She has had 19 No. 1 hits, the most of any solo artist. She is the artist with the most weeks at No. 1 (91). She is the female songwriter with the most No. 1 hits (18). She is the only artist to reach No. 1 with her first five singles — “Vision of Love,” “Love Takes Time,” “Someday,” “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and “Emotions.”
In addition, Carey has made her mark on many other charts. She is the artist with the most weeks at No. 1 on the Radio Songs chart (91). She has had 18 top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, including six No. 1 albums (Mariah Carey, Music Box, Daydream, Butterfly, The Emancipation of Mimi and E=MC2).
In the midst of their Soy Rebelde Tour, the 40-year-old Mexican singer, songwriter and actress and her RBD group mates are getting their own Barbie dolls.
The news was shared on the Barbie Instagram page on Monday, November 13, where the dolls were officially unveiled. “¡Y soy Rebelde! Pop stardom meets pop culture icons with the special edition RBD x Barbie dolls,” read the caption.
The collector’s Barbie dolls — which are available in a set of five or sold individually as Rebelde characters Mia (Anahí), Roberta (Dulce Maria) and Lupita (Maite Perroni) — commemorate the Mexican group’s triumph comeback after a 15-year hiatus.
In true RBD fashion, the dolls are decked out in emblematic concert outfits or their signature Elite Way school uniform. Mia, for example, comes with a star sticker on the forehead and Roberta with her distinct cherry-red locks.
Furthermore, the official Barbie website states “Barbie is celebrating RBD’s reunion with a set of five dolls ready to take the stage! Roberta, Mia, Lupita, Diego and Giovanni wear outfits that pop with their personality and style. The clothes are trendy, the accessories cool and the hair spot on! Fans of the popular pop-rock music group and Rebelde telenovela will love the instant collection of the beloved group. Dolls cannot stand alone. Colors and decorations may vary.”
News of the Barbie dolls come just days after a wave of Música Mexicana acts — including Calibre 50, Chiquis, Banda Carnaval, Banda Los Sebastianes and Los Socios del Ritmo, among others — teamed up for Somos Rebeldes, a 15 track-set with reimagined versions of “Sólo Quédate en Silencio,” “Qué Hay Detrás” and “Sálvame.”
“I think that people connect with us because each one of us is so different, but we’re a family,” band member Christopher von Uckermann previously said at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week. “We know each other. We understand each other without having to speak. We are family and that is something you can feel.”
Greta Gerwig’s fantasy-comedy Barbie, which stars the 39-year-old Honduran American actress, earned $162 million in its first weekend at the box office. The record-breaking total gives Ferrera the biggest opening weekend of her career.
The Warner Bros. film, starring Margot Robbie as the plastic, fantastic doll, declined only 9% from Saturday to bring in $43.7 million on Sunday.
Barbie’s ticket sales rank as the biggest opening weekend of the year, besting The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($146 million). Barbie also marks the biggest debut ever for a film directed by a woman, overtaking Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s 2019 blockbuster Captain Marvel ($153 million).
“This historic result reflects the intense heat, interest and enthusiasm for Barbie,” Warner Bros. president of domestic distribution Jeff Goldstein wrote in a note to press. “This doll will indeed have long long legs.”
Barbie also exceeded expectations at the international box office with $194.3 million (above Sunday’s estimate of $182 million), bringing its global tally to a stunning $356.3 million. Those ticket sales are especially notable because Barbie didn’t have much of a footprint on Imax or premium large format screens, which are more expensive than the average 2D movie ticket.
In Barbie, Ferrera portrays Gloria, a Mattelemployee who helps Barbie in the real world.
Gloria Estefan is getting all dolled up for her birthday…
Mattel has released a Barbie doll made in the likeness of the Cuban singer, actress and businesswoman to celebrate the music icon’s 65th birthday and her 1989 hit single “Get on Your Feet.”
“I’m honored to be partnering with Barbie to create a doll in my likeness, especially as I ring in my 65th birthday and right ahead Hispanic Heritage Month,” Estefan said in a statement to Billboard. “When designing my Barbie with the team, I wanted to ensure I was staying true to my multicultural roots – and I believe we did just that.”
The release of Estefan’s signature Barbie arrives ahead of Hispanic Month, which is September 15-October 15.
Inspired by the ‘80s wardrobe in the Grammy winner’s “Get on Your Feet” music video, the Gloria Estefan Barbie is dolled up in a black jacket with intricate, gold detailing, black leggings accentuated with a gold waist chain, and thigh-high, leopard-print boots. The doll also holds a microphone spruced up with lace.
In addition to releasing the doll, Barbie will also be partnering with Artístas y Músicos Latino Americanos, a North Philadelphia nonprofit that provides young people with private music lessons, songwriting, audio and production programs.
Additionally, Barbie will be underwriting one of ALMA’s event programs and bolstering their Mentor-Fellow programs, which train children in various careers, including arts production and administration.
The 37-year-old Latina actress will star in Warner Bros. and Mattel’s upcoming Barbie film
Cruz Kayne is part of a roster of new cast additions that include Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Ncuti Gatwa, Emerald Fennell, Sharon Rooney, Scott Evans, Connor Swindells, Ritu Arya and Jamie Demetriou.
They join Margot Robbie, who will star in the titular role, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrara, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Ariana Greenblatt, Emma Mackey, Alexandra Shipp, Issa Rae, Michael Cera, Hari Nef and Will Ferrell.
Greta Gerwig is directing and co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach.
Plot details are unknown, but given Gerwig’s track record as a director, one can expect this won’t be a typical take on the doll’s story.
Robbie is producing the film under her LuckyChap Entertainment production banner along with LuckyChap’s Tom Ackerley.
The film will be released worldwide sometime in 2023.
The 39-year-old Nicaraguan film director, producer and writer is teaming up with Mattel to develop the live-action family drama Christmas Balloon.
Revilla Lugo will write the script based on a true story.
The film follows a young girl, Dáyami, living in a Mexican border town who tries to send her Christmas list to Santa tied to a balloon. The balloon is found by Randy and Marcella Heiss, a couple in Arizona grieving the loss of their own child, who make it their mission to fulfill the girl’s touching Christmas wishes.
Mattel worked with the couple and donated toys to fulfill Dáyami’s wish towards a brighter future.
“Much like Dáyami’s balloon itself, the journey of this touching story and Mattel’s direct role in fulfilling her real-life wishes made it a must-do for us,” said Kevin McKeon, VP of Mattel Films. “We were immediately struck by this little girl’s spirit and the story’s positive message. We also knew there was no one better to tell her story with passion and sensitivity than Gabriela. We are proud to work with her, along with Vital Pictures, to bring this touching family drama to audiences around the world.”
McKeon and Ivan Sanchez, Creative Executive are overseeing the project for Mattel Films. Chris Lemos and Luis Guerrero of Vital Pictures are producing.
“Randy and Marcella’s story exemplifies the holiday spirit and shows the miraculous way small acts of kindness can change lives, bring families together, and inspire entire communities on both sides of the border. We can’t think of better partners than Mattel and Gabriela to bring this wonderful true story to audiences everywhere,” said Lemos on behalf of Vital Pictures.
“I am honored to bring Dáyami’s journey to life in a time when it’s clear we all need to believe in hope and magic,” Revilla Lugo said.
Writer/producer Revilla Lugo is best known for executive producing Hulu/Neon’s Palm Springsand the Netflix movie The Starling, starring Melissa McCarthy.
The 22-year-old part-Latin American actor, who who gained acclaim for his roles in Netflix’s film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Freeform’s The Fosters, is in talks to take on the lead role of He-Man in Masters of the Universe, the film adaptation Mattel Films is developing with Sony Pictures.
It’s based on the best-selling toy line from the 1980s that spawned an animated TV show and a 1987 feature with Dolph Lundgrenas He-Man.
Adamand Aaron Neeare attached to direct the film and are writing the script with Art Marcumand Matt Holloway.
He-Man is a muscular medieval kind of guy who is trying to ward off the nasty Skeletor and his dark armies as both good and evil fight for control of Castle Grayskull.
Currently, Masters of the Universe is slated for a December 20 release.
Centineo recently began production on Netflix’s TATBILBsequel and is set to appear later this year in Sony’s Charlie’s Angels reboot.
The Cuban-American actress and singer has signed with publicity firm PMK*BNC.
Villafañe is thisclose to becoming one of Broadway’s next big thing with her debut on the Great White Way this fall in the Gloria Estefan bio-musical On Your Feet!,in which she stars as the Latin pop legend.
She also starred in the Hulu drama South Beach this summer and will play the female lead in Dolphin Entertainment’s live-action adaptation of the Mattel superhero toy brand Max Steel.
It’s a Miami Sound Machine moment for Ana Villafañe…
The Cuban-American singer, dancer and actress has been cast as Gloria Estefan in On Your Feet!, the highly anticipated Broadway musical about the Latin music superstar and her equally talented husband, producer Emilio Estefan.
Villafañe, who attended the same Miami high school as la Estefan, wasn’t able to make the open casting call last fall but sent a video audition, according to an announcement Monday from the production team. She got the call to audition for director Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray) and the Estefans, and was cast in the show.
She’ll star opposite Josh Segarra, who will portray Emilio.
The musical — a rare Latino-themed Broadway offering that will surely benefit from Estefan’s global status — is based on the life story of the seven-time Grammy-winning singer and her husband, who owns 19 of his own Grammys. It’s slated to open at Broadway’s Nederlander-operated Marquis Theatre on November 5, following previews beginning October 5. I
n addition to staging by Mitchell, the show will have choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis), with a book by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman). Prior to Broadway, the show will try out at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre from June 2-July 5.
“She walked into the room, and I immediately thought to myself – ‘this is it’,” Mitchell said of Villafañe in a prepared announcement. “Not only was she beautifully reminiscent of a young Gloria, but she embodied her energy and spirit in such a captivating way. And then she fully rose to the occasion by giving a sensational audition.”
Villafañe’s film and television credits include Magic City Memoirs (executive producer Andy Garcia), Los Americansand the upcoming Hulu original series South Beach: Fever as well asthe female lead in Max Steel (Mattel), set for global release this summer.
Segarra has appeared in New York in Second Stage Theater’s Dogfightand Lysistrata Jones. On television, he stars in USA’s comedy series Sirensand has a recurring part on NBC’s Chicago PD as well as PBS’ The Electric Company, and guest appearances on Showtime’s Homelandand FX’s TheFollowing. This summer, he’ll appear in the Judd Apatow feature film Trainwreck.
The company will also feature Andréa Burns (In The Heights) as Gloria Fajardo (Gloria’s mother); Alma Cuervo (Beauty And The Beast) as Consuelo (Gloria’s grandmother); Alexandria Suarez as Little Gloria; and Noah Johnston as little Emilio.
David Rockwell (Kinky Boots, On The Twentieth Century) has designed the sets, with costumes by Emilio Sosa (Porgy & Bess), lighting by Kenneth Posner (Wicked, Hairspray), sound by Steve Kennedy and projections by Darrel Maloney. The show is produced by James L. Nederlander and Estefan Enterprises Inc., in partnership with Bernie Yuman.
In anticipation of a wide-ranging social media campaign to publicize the show, the production also released three videos about the Estefan’s and the making of the musical.
Mattel has released a brand new Mexican Barbie to commemorate el 16 de Septiembre, Mexican Independence Day.
Mariachi Barbie dons a fitted black bolero jacket, cropped pants trimmed in an intricate golden brocade, and a wide-brimmed sombrero. Barbie completes her look with tall black boots and a pink ribbon bow tie.
The doll celebrates “one of Mexico’s most representative traditions in music and culture” and will be available to the public in September, the company said in a statement. Mariachi Barbie joins the 2014 Barbie Dolls of the World Collection.
Just last year Mattel faced criticism for releasing a Mexican Barbie dressed in a pink, ruffled dress and holding a chihuahua and a passport. ”
It would be nice to see some contemporary images from these countries,” Felix Sanchez, chairman and co-founder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts told Fox News Latino at the time. “These images seem very dated and seem to have been created for a different time.”
But Sanchez doesn’t have any qualms about the new Mexican Barbie.
“Well, at least she’s not coming off as sexy Latina Barbie, spinning on a pedestal,” Felix Sanchez told Buzzfeed, referring to Sofia Vergara’s largely criticized Emmy’s skit. “This is an image that does exist. It helps us embrace toy making in a way that makes it relevant and authentic.”
The Mariah Carey Barbie was released on Friday, November 17 via Mattel Shop and Amazon.
Carey holds many Hot 100 records. She has had 19 No. 1 hits, the most of any solo artist. She is the artist with the most weeks at No. 1 (91). She is the female songwriter with the most No. 1 hits (18). She is the only artist to reach No. 1 with her first five singles — “Vision of Love,” “Love Takes Time,” “Someday,” “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and “Emotions.”
