When Yara Shahidi first learned she would be getting her own Barbie doll, she was stunned.
When Yara Shahidi first learned she would be getting her own Barbie doll, she was stunned.
“It's really surreal just because this was never within my realm of possibility. I never thought, 'Oh yeah, one day I'll have my own doll' or anything like that,” the "Grown-ish" actress said, according to Mashable.
Shahidi is one of 20 women from 18 different countries who were chosen by Barbie as role models, or “sheroes” as the company calls them — women who are breaking boundaries and inspiring the next generation of girls.
The new dolls are also in celebration of both International Women’s Day and the company's 60th birthday.
The 19-year-old even worked with the company to make sure every detail was right, from the doll's complexion down to her eyebrows.
She said it has always been important to her to see black female role models, but she realizes not everyone has that opportunity.
“When I realized that not everyone got the same privileges of seeing themselves reflected in the most tangible and the most metaphoric senses, it became really important to me to see what I could do in sharing the resources I've had, that have made such an impact," Shahidi said.
Other honorees include tennis player Naomi Osaka, ice dancer Tessa Virtue and French director Lisa Azuelos.
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