Skip to main content

Move Over, Kids—This Barbie’s for Us! Here’s Why Mattel’s New Doll Is Making Adult Women Everywhere Lose Their Minds

Were you a Barbie fan growing up? What am I even saying—if you’re reading this, the answer’s probably yes. Barbie’s been around since 1959, and kids have played with thousands of versions of her ever since. We’ve had doctor Barbies and astronaut Barbies and even president Barbies, and all of them speak to the moment in a way that other toys just can’t match.

Well, there’s a new Barbie in town, and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Scratch that—it is like someone you’ve seen before, and the likeness is uncanny. People are going absolutely nuts for it too, and when I say “people,” I mostly mean women of a certain age, like me.

Ahead, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about this buzzy new Barbie doll that will have you singing Mattel’s praises and jumping for joy if you manage to snag one. Read on to discover why this Barbie is so cool and where you can get your hands on one.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more toys, nostalgia, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.

What is the new Barbie generating all this buzz?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Barbie (@barbie)

Get out the smelling salts, ladies, because the latest Barbie doll is Lenny Kravitz. The ultra hip and incredibly lifelike “Kenbassador” celebrates the multi-hyphenate singer and pop-culture icon—and looks great doing it, right down to his sexy stubble and tight blue jeans.

According to Mattel, the “wildly cool doll replica of this artist honors his boundary-breaking spirit and captures a signature look from his ‘Blue Electric Light’ tour in amazing detail, including tattoos, a nose ring and authentic locs.”

They didn’t mention the abs, but he’s got those too.

The Lenny Kravitz doll is part of Mattel’s Barbie Signature Kenbassadors Collection, which honors influential men who are making a difference in sports, music and culture. The Kenbassador line was launched last year to celebrate the still-spry Ken on his 65th birthday.

Why are people losing their minds over this doll?

Did I mention the abs? This doll is gorgeous, just like Kravitz, and he looks like he could jump right off his collectible stand and rip into a guitar solo. It’s particularly popular with a certain demo.

  • “I got mine yesterday and I am on my way to see @lennykravitz tonight!!! I am so excited!” said Crystal, an exuberant commenter on Instagram.
  • “I think mama’s gonna start her own Barbie collection 🤩,” an IG swooner named Trixie said.
  • “Omg I’m going to buy 2. One for me and one for my mom,” said one half of a multi-generational Kravitz-loving family.

A few commenters wanted to know why it didn’t come with his signature giant scarf, which occasionally envelops Kravitz’s slender frame like a big warm hug.

  • “Someone needs to knit him his giant scarf,” said a Redditor who seemed concerned that he might get cold.
  • “Does it come with a giant scarf?” another fashionista on Instagram asked.

To be clear, he does not come with the scarf, but he definitely reps the accessories, including sunglasses, a necklace and some super sweet ankle boots. Beggars can’t be choosers, guys.

Move Over Kids This Barbies For Us Lenny Kravitz Barbie Via Walmart.com 01a
via merchant

Barbie Signature Kenbassadors Lenny Kravitz Ken Doll

How popular is it already?

Very. The Lenny Kravitz Kenbassador sold out on Amazon within hours of its release, according to Billboard. No word on when the site will restock the official cache, but Amazon resellers are asking $100 or more for the rocker replica.

The doll is sold as a collectible and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Mattel isn’t labeling it as a limited edition, so here’s hoping they crank up the mesh-tank-top production line so we can all get our hands on one.

What else makes this Lenny Kravitz doll so special?

Kravitz is only the second Kenbassador in the Mattel lineup, so it’s a huge honor. LeBron James kicked off the franchise in 2025 with a doll that stood a full half-inch taller than both regular Ken and Kravitz Ken. We don’t think this sizing is to scale.

Has Lenny said anything about this honor?

Yes, he has, and his response was very Kravitz-like: “So cool.”

Kravitz was also involved in the creative process, he told People: “We got it down to all the details of the boots and the jeans and the belt with the holes and the rivets and the tops that I’ve been wearing [on tour]. The glasses are exact replications of the vintage glasses from the late ’60s that I’ve been wearing.”

He even created a sweet homage to his late mother, Roxie Roker. (If you were alive in the 1970s, you’ll know her as Helen Willis on The Jeffersons.) “The necklace around the [doll’s] neck was a necklace that belonged to my mother that I wear.” Kravitz Ken also sports a tattoo of Roker on his forearm, just like in real life.

How can you get a Kravitz Ken for yourself?

For now, you can buy one on Walmart or directly from Mattel, which still has them available (for around $70) as of this writing. If you’re holding out for Amazon or Target, you’ll have to keep refreshing the page. They’re sold out.

Sources:

  • Mattel: “Barbie Signature Kenbassadors Lenny Kravitz Ken Doll”
  • Billboard: “The Lenny Kravitz Barbie Is Flying Off the Shelves Just Hours After Its Release — Here’s Where to Buy”
  • Vogue: “Lenny Kravitz Revives His Ginormous Blanket Scarf in His First TikTok”
  • Instagram: “@Barbie”
  • Reddit: “Lenny Kravitz officially approves of his Mini-Me! Did you get him (or plan to)?”
  • People: “Lenny Kravitz Calls It ‘So Cool’ to Become Only the Second Man to Get His Own Ken Doll (Exclusive)”

The post Move Over, Kids—This Barbie’s for Us! Here’s Why Mattel’s New Doll Is Making Adult Women Everywhere Lose Their Minds appeared first on Reader's Digest.



from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/oZrULhf

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

41 of the Most Useful Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Everyone wants everything they do on their computer to be fast. Their Internet connection, the speed they type, and how quickly they can save, open, and alter documents. These mac keyboard shortcuts can help you do just that. Try out these Mac hotkeys to make your browsing, typing, and viewing experiences a little more convenient. Here are some keyboard shortcuts that will make web browsing so much easier . Mac keyboard shortcuts allow you to do things on your computer that would typically require you to use a mouse, trackpad, or another device with a combination of the keys on your keyboard. To find the Mac shortcuts that are already set up on your device, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts. From there you can look through the different mac keyboard shortcuts that are set up for your keyboard, launchpad and dock, Mission Control, Spotlight, and so on. To change an existing shortcut you can select the one you want to change, click on the key combination, and then ty...

30 Math Puzzles (with Answers) to Test Your Smarts

Math is not everyone’s favorite, understandably. Hours of math homework and difficult equations can make anyone sour on the subject. But when math problems are outside of a school setting, there’s no time limit to do them, and they’ve got a fun, more whimsical concept than just finding x, they can be great activities for kids. (And adults, of course!) They test your brain and critical thinking skills, provide some constructive, educational fun,  and  provide tangible examples of math lessons you’ll actually use in real life . Math puzzles come in plenty of different varieties, too. Some more straightforward number puzzles do require calculations to find the solution. Others are more like logic puzzles and challenge you to look for a pattern. Still others present the puzzle through pictures, making them great for visual learners. From  Reader’s Digest ‘s “Mind Stretchers” books, these math puzzles have a bit of everything! If you’re more of a riddles person, we’ve got reg...

Will Cicadas Destroy Your Garden? 10 Things You Need to Know

It’s easy to wince thinking about the mass emergence of insects like cicadas. Their numbers can reach millions per acre, creating a near-deafening buzzing chorus. So it’s understandable that questions like, “Will cicadas eat my plants?” immediately spring to mind. But cicadas are also pretty fascinating and play important roles in the ecosystem. “Cicadas inspire wonder in our world!” says Jennifer Hopwood, senior pollinator conservation specialist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. “They spend most of their life underground next to the same plant roots. Somehow, these creatures are able to track the years that pass by and time their emergence with other periodical cicadas in the region to overwhelm predators. They are amazing little critters.” Here’s a rundown of what to know about cicadas, good and bad, including whether or not they eat plants and how to protect your trees during an emergence. Get Readers Digest s Read Up newsletter for more gardening, humor, cl...