EGOT winner Rita Moreno gets her own Barbie
Rita Moreno is an icon. She’s won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT)awards, which also means she’s long overdue for her own Barbie.
Barbie’s parent company Mattel is celebrating Moreno’s 93rd birthday this year with the gift of her own Barbie Tribute doll.
Moreno, one of only 21 performers to ever achieve EGOT status, moved from Puerto Rico to New York City at a young age where she honed her skills as an actress, singer and dancer.
She grew up to star in world-famous musicals such as “West Side Story” to multiple performances on Broadway and in several roles in television and film. Moreno was also awarded the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her achievements, which include advocating for Hispanic representation in the arts.
“As one of the few performers to achieve EGOT-status stardom, she has shattered stereotypes and barriers for Latinas in the entertainment industry and beyond,” Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls, said in a statement.
“Her fierce advocacy for the Latino community and her tireless commitment to pursuing her passions in the performing arts perfectly encapsulates Barbie’s mission to inspire the next generation to lean into what lights their spark, chart their own paths, and believe in their limitless possibilities,” Berger said.
The Barbie Tribute doll collection launched in 2021 and has paid homage to other visionaries and trailblazers such as Lucille Ball, Vera Wang and Laverne Cox with their own dolls.
Mattel said it worked closely with Moreno on her doll’s design and outfit.
The Barbie Rita Moreno doll (priced at $40) exudes glamour in an elegant floor-length black and gold gown with intricate designs on the skirt. She wears opera-length gloves, gold earrings and a sleek up-do.
"I was a girl who decided to go for it, and despite the challenges I faced, I never gave up on my dreams,” Moreno said in a statement. “That’s what I hope this doll inspires in each and every girl today: to live their life with courage and resilience so that they can make their dreams a reality.”