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LeBron James Barbie doll goes on sale this month. Why it's significant and where to get it


LeBron James continues to make history.

This month, the Akron native will be among the few to be immortalized into a Barbie – or should we say Ken – doll.

James has been chosen to a be a part of the Barbie Signature Kenbassadors collection, which "celebrates influential Ken figures who are creating positive change and contributing to a better world for all."

He's apparently the first male athlete to be part of the new Kenbassador line.

The venture appears be in collaboration with the Laker star's LeBron James Family Foundation.

"A true MVP, our LeBron James Kenbassadors doll represents resilience, hope, and pride for the city of Akron, the world, and beyond," a statement from what appears to the back of the doll's box reads.

No matter where he goes, James always brings a piece of Akron with him.

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LeBron James Ken doll 'fit

As seen in posts going around social media, the LeBron doll sports a blue and white letterman jacket with LJ on the front, and LeBron in all caps across the back with "Just a Kid from Akron" in a script font underneath. On the left sleeve, there's the green and gold crown logo from his foundation and blue and black Ohio patch.

Underneath the jacket, he's wearing a black We Are Family T-shirt from his foundation, along with black and white houndstooth pants and blue and white Nike Air Jordans.

Some notable details of the doll are a pair of black Beats headphones, a gold watch, a green I Promise wristband, a black cap, a black pair of sunglasses and a black crossbody fanny pack.

The facial resemblance is also worth pointing out, as it's pretty darn close to what King James really looks like. A few of the superstar's tattoos are also present on his arms.

When will the LeBron James Barbie doll be available?

According to BlackBarbieGuide, the Barbie Signature LeBron James Kenbassadors doll will be available on April 23.

How much is the LeBron James Barbie?

From multiple posts online and on social, the doll is going for $75.

How to buy LeBron James Barbie doll?

The Hot 107.9 radio station posted on Instagram that the doll will be available on Mattel Creations and Amazon.

"This release coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Black Barbie, a milestone in representation in the toy industry," the post read.

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Social media reaction to LeBron James Barbie

The reaction online appears to have been positive so far, however, some fans questioned why the LeBron doll wasn't wearing his own brand of shoes.

Here are a few of the Instagram comments that were seen:

"Absolutely buying it lol."

"THIS FIT HIM! OKAY LEBARBIE!"

"Ngl. This actually goes kinda hard. Congrats to him."

Even Lisa Leslie chimed in saying, "Come on for culture 🔥🔥🔥 I ❤️it!!!"

"Yep. LeBarbie going right up on the shelf 😂🔥👏🏾👑🐐💯"

Another commenter expressed her desire for James' counterpart in Barbie form: "I want a Savannah doll tho but this is nice lol."

History of Black Barbies

Kitty Black Perkins, a chief designer of Barbie fashion pieces for 28 years, poses for a portrait on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. Perkins grew up in Spartanburg before moving to California to study fashion and begin her career designing clothing for Barbie dolls.

The first Black Barbie was designed by a Black woman, Kitty Black Perkins, a South Carolina native. She was also the first Black designer for Barbie when she was hired by Mattel in 1976 at age 28.

She designed the first Black Barbie four years later.

Her first six outfits for Mattel, designed for a job interview with the company, were a hit.

"Mattel put all six in the line that year," Perkins said in a 2019 interview with the Greenville News. "And it was amazing."

As she rose in the company, she made a point to hire more Black designers along the way.

She told People magazine last year that when she got to Mattel there was always talk about making a Black doll.

"This took on a life of its own, and I think that the right person was listening because the VP of marketing at that time, his name was Steve Nelson, and he came to me and he said, 'Kitty, what do you think about us actually doing a Black Barbie?' And I told him, 'I think it's absolutely fantastic, and we've been wanting to do that for years.' And he said, 'Well, I think it's about time.'"

Former Greenville News reporter Anna B. Mitchell contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: LeBron James Barbie doll goes on sale this month. How much is it?

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