Barbie's New Doll Celebrates APIA Heritage Month — and It Honors a Hollywood Trailblazer

By Mirel Zaman

Published on 5/2/2023 at 4:15 PM

Anna May Wong Barbie
Image Source: Mattel
Photo Illustration: Ava Cruz
Image Source: Mattel
Photo Illustration: Ava Cruz
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A week after releasing its first Barbie doll with Down syndrome, Mattel has unveiled an Anna May Wong Barbie for Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.

Anna May Wong, who passed away in February 1961, was a Hollywood trailblazer. She's widely considered to be the first Chinese American Hollywood film star, and her acting earned her international recognition. She became known for portraying Chinese Americans in a positive and accurate light during periods of widespread and dangerous prejudice.

While many depictions of Chinese characters in US films at the time were discriminatory and racist — and many times played by non-Chinese actors in yellowface — Wong's characters often offered positive and nonstereotypical representation. She even turned down roles she felt were negative or unsympathetic. She was also the first Asian American woman to get a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for acting, in 1960.

The Anna May Wong Barbie, which is part of Mattel's "Inspiring Women" series, is based on her role in "Limehouse Blues," a movie from 1934. The doll is dressed in a red gown and has Wong's signature bangs. The depiction was approved by Anna Wong, Wong's niece, who worked closely with Mattel to develop the doll, according to a statement provided by the brand.

While a doll may seem like a small step, there's tremendous value in offering children the chance to play with a Barbie that looks like them. "Seeing is believing, and Anna May Wong's courage and perseverance allowed generations of Asian Americans to see themselves on screen outside of stereotypes and typecasts," Mattel wrote in an Instagram caption of the post revealing the new doll.

Mattel has released Asian Barbie dolls before, but in 2021, the company was criticized for failing to include a Barbie who appeared to be Asian in its lineup of Olympic Barbie dolls, according to NBC News.

The Barbie Signature Anna May Wong Doll is currently available for preorder at Walmart ($35); it's also being sold at Target ($35) and Mattel Creations ($35), but the preorders have sold out.