Name: Debbie Allen Barbie Tribute Collection Doll
Made by and When: Mattel, 2025
Doll Designer: Carlyle Nuera
Label: Black
Face Sculpt: New, sculpted to Debbie Allen’s likeness
Body Type: Articulated Curvy Collector with 11 points of articulation
Material: Vinyl, synthetic hair fibers, paint
Height: 11-1/2 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: The short black curly hair is rooted; brown-painted eyes with painted upper and lower eyelashes are enhanced with heavy blue eyeshadow; a smiling mouth has red lip color.
Clothes: Wears a sparkling fuchsia blouse, purple pants with fringed sides, a gold lamé belt, purple leg warmers, white open-toe high-heels, and gold-tone hoop earrings
Other: This portrait doll of dancer, choreographer, actor, director, producer, and author Debbie Allen commemorates her time choreographing the 1980s hit musical TV series Fame. The doll is part of The Tribute Collection, which, as described on the back of the doll’s box, “celebrates visionaries whose incredible contributions have helped shape and impact culture.”
Packaging includes a certificate of authenticity and a doll stand. The back of the box features a black and white headshot image of Allen, her autograph, and her biography, the text of which is narrated in the Gallery/Video section and is printed below the Gallery/Video.
Gallery and Video (Photos are of the actual doll and from the Internet.)
Click or tap the play arrow to view the gallery photos and to hear Allen’s narrated biography.
Debbie Allen’s Biography Text
Dancer, Singer, Actress, Choreographer, Director, and Producer
Before she became an internationally acclaimed, award-winning actor, dancer, singer, choreographer, director, producer, and author, Debbie Allen grew up in Houston, Texas with a passion for dance. At the age of eight, she auditioned for the top ballet academy but was denied admission because of racial segregation. Later she became the first Black dancer at the school. She faced the same rejection applying for college but to this day is so grateful that it landed her as a BFA graduate of Howard University.
She made her Broadway debut in 1971, and thus began her prolific and illustrious career. As a multi-disciplinary artist, she has received numerous awards in a variety of prestigious categories in the arts and entertainment. Her work has received Broadway and the West End’s highest recognition for her memorable performances and direction. She served as a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and received a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2021, Debbie Allen joined the legendary list of Kennedy Center Honorees for her lifetime contributions to the performing arts.
The crown jewel among her exemplary career may be the Debbie Allen Dance Academy® (DADA), which she founded in 2001. The non-profit organization offers dance, theater training and performance to enrich the lives of students as young as four years old. Debbie Allen turned her passion into a dream that inspires others to follow theirs. Debbie Allen Barbie doll wears an outfit inspired by Allen’s choreographer look from the hit series FAME. The off-the-shoulder top cinched at the waist with a gold belt, purple pants with fringe and legwarmers created a street-meets-dance movement that is iconic to this day. With her articulated body, she is ready to hit any dance pose.
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