Zendaya Inspires Barbie Design, Mattel Announces Disney Star Doll with Dreadlocks

Zendaya Coleman is inspiring her very own Barbie, as Mattel has announced that the Disney star will be honored with a one-of-a-kind doll. The K.C. Undercover actress will be made into a special Barbie by the toy company, which will commemorate her Vivienne Westwood look from this year’s Grammy Awards. This is the same moment that saw her dreadlocks controversially critiqued by Giuliana Rancic on Fashion Police shortly after.  Social media exploded at the negative dreadlocks comments and Coleman later responded with a very educated statement when compared to the Rancic statement.

Zendaya recently visited the offices of Mattel to discuss the upcoming toy, which are hoped to inspire youth, encouraging them to use their voice for good. She spoke with Yahoo! about receiving her own doll, and the incredible honor.

"When I was little, I didn't have one that looked like me, so I couldn't connect with her in that way," Zendaya said. "But getting to visit the Mattel offices and see Barbie’s vision for the future...I was able to see how they plan to diversify, broadening the horizons and the image of Barbie, and make it more, you know, open. I left the office feeling it was definitely something I wanted to be a part of,” she told the outlet.

So excited to honor @Zendaya with a one-of-a-kind doll as she encourages girls to Raise Their Voices and to #BeSuper! pic.twitter.com/GEtTR9bayC

— Barbie (@Barbie) September 18, 2015

The doll is set to debut this weekend, September 26th, at the Barbie Rock ‘N Royals Concert Experience, which will be a VH1’s Save The Music event, and hosted by the young Hollywood star.

The doll is certainly a great tribute to Zendaya, as the actress and singer has been known to use her voice in a positive light, and does not respond with foul language towards negative energies. At just 19 years old, she has already become one of the go-to icons for youth in fashion, and is continuing to build her brand with Disney and Hollywood, as well as in the music business with her own sounds.