Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Mattel Admits They 'Fell Short' With Olympic Barbies After Backlash For Failing To Include An Asian Doll

Mattel Admits They 'Fell Short' With Olympic Barbies After Backlash For Failing To Include An Asian Doll
@Barbie/Twitter

Mattel, the brand who created the iconic Barbie doll, just launched a line of Barbies meant to showcase "inclusivity and innovation" but has admitted to falling short due to their lack of Asian dolls in the collection.

The company teamed with the International Olympic Committee to produce a line of dolls, Hot Wheels cars and limited edition UNO decks based on the addition of five sports in the Tokyo 2020 games which included baseball/softball, sport climbing, karate, skateboarding and surfing.


Janet Hsu, Chief Franchise Officer of Mattel, said in their launch statement:

"Tokyo 2020 is a monumental event that brings the world together through sport and inspires fans of all ages."
"The Mattel Tokyo 2020 Collection honours these sports and inspires a new generation through the Olympic spirit and outstanding athletic tradition."

Twitter was quick to catch on to their lack of Asian Barbie dolls, which is ironic given the fact the games were hosted in Tokyo, Japan.

While some tried to claim the skateboarding Barbie was Asian due to slightly different eye shape, actual Asians disagreed.





The brand said they "will work to find more ways to champion all representation" since the backlash.






Many also pointed out the enormous amount of Asian hate that's increased during the pandemic.

Many athletes shared how anti-Asian hate has effected them going into the Olympics.






Mattel's spokesperson gave a statement to HuffPost.

"Fostering a more inclusive world is at the heart of our brand and we strive to reflect that in our Barbie product line. With our Barbie Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 dolls, we celebrate a range of athletes to inspire kids to find their athlete within."
"However, our intention to represent the Asian community with the Skateboarder doll fell short and we fully receive and recognize the feedback."
"Moving forward, we will work to find more ways to champion all representation and celebrate the amazing achievements of all Olympic athletes, who are showing us that anything is possible."



Many also pointed out the historic win of Hmong American athlete Sunisa Lee who won gold in the women's gymnastics individual all-around.


Mattel admitted they needed to do better. Hopefully they'll consult members of the communities they hope to represent when making future design decisions.

More from Trending

Vivian Wilson
@vivllainous/Instagram

Elon Musk's Trans Daughter Just Made Her Drag Debut At An Anti-ICE Fundraiser—And Fans Are Obsessed

Elon Musk's disowned trans daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson has made a name for herself online for mercilessly dragging the father who once said she was "dead" to him because she was "killed by the woke mind virus."

But recently she took it to a new level, leveraging her fame in her first drag performance at a Los Angeles anti-ICE fundraiser.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Administration Fast-Tracks Eliminating National Suicide Hotline's LGBTQ+ Youth Support

On Wednesday morning, news broke that the administration of MAGA Republican President Donald Trump was eliminating certain suicide and self harm resources provided through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The lifeline offered callers options to speak to people who specialize in meeting their needs. But the Trump administration decided this was a service that LGBTQ+ young people don't deserve.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump Blasted For Announcing New Additions To The White House Lawn As Global Tensions Escalate

President Donald Trump was criticized after announcing that two new flagpoles would be added to the North and South Lawns of the White House—not the greatest look amid heightened global unease as tensions between Israel and Iran ramp up.

According to the Associated Press, Trump watched as a crane installed the newest flagpole on the South Lawn, remarking, “It’s such a beautiful pole.” He later returned to the site to salute as the American flag was raised for the first time.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Donald Trump from CNN supercut
CNN

Trump Mocked For 'Two Weeks' Iran Deadline With Supercut Of All His 'Two Weeks' Promises

President Donald Trump has a history of promising to resolve problems within "two weeks," and a new viral supercut mocks him for all the times he's said as much—including right now with tensions in the Middle East higher than ever.

Trump said Thursday he will decide within two weeks whether to involve U.S. forces directly in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, citing what he called a “substantial chance” for renewed nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

Keep ReadingShow less
red flag with pole on seashore
Seoyeon Choi on Unsplash

People Break Down The 'Silent Red Flags' Folks Tend To Ignore In Relationships

A red flag has come to mean any warning sign in life, in addition to the literal red flags that are placed on beaches or industrial sites to warn people of danger.

People will respond to situations by saying, "That’s a red flag." But before that language evolved, they'd just call them "warning signs."

Keep ReadingShow less