As had been anticipated for more than two years, the special edition of the Barbie doll in tribute to the legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz was finally launched this week.
Looking ahead to Hispanic Heritage Month 2023, which begins this Friday, September 15, the toy company Mattel launched its doll in honor of the ‘Queen of Salsa’ this Wednesday, December 13.
The image of the doll was unveiled for the first time in 2021, and since then thousands of collectors and admirers of the artist have been eagerly awaiting the launch.
This was demonstrated by the enormous demand for this collectible edition, which sold out just a few minutes after its official launch.
And on the official Mattel website the product is already shown as “sold out”, and according to customers, this happened in the first minutes after it went on sale.
“After 5 minutes it was already exhausted for me,” said a customer in the forum on the same page.
The truth is that although all the dolls in the Barbie Inspiring Women Series, to which Celia Cruz’s belongs, are valued by collectors, to this is added the weight of the singer’s fans, and those who, in addition to admiration, they feel for the singer, affection, familiarity.
In that sense, it is not surprising that the figure has sold out in such a short time, even more so two years in advance for anyone who planned to purchase it.
The doll debuted with an affordable price of $35, part of a series dedicated to paying tribute to notable women of their time, including scientists, artists, politicians and celebrities.
Mattel’s official statement describes these figures as “brave women who took risks, changed rules and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever.”
The Celia Cruz Barbie sums up the spirit and essence of the beloved singer, dressed in one of her classic outfits, the vibrant and tight-fitting red Cuban rumba dress that the singer wore during the third Latin Grammy Awards in 2002.
Adorned with lace fabric, a ruffle at the hem and sleeves, in addition to her curly hair with blonde highlights, the doll recreates the profile with which the iconic artist received the award for her success. La Negra Has Tumbao.
The stunning wig pulled back into an elegant high bun, complemented by a necklace, long earrings and distinctive gold shoes, complete the ensemble.
The tribute to the singer comes precisely two decades after her death, on July 16, 2003. The historic career of the ‘Guarachera de Cuba’ spanned six extraordinary decades and an astonishing 75 albums.
