'Black Barbie' Documentary: Everything we know so far

Netflix and Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland have acquired the documentary "Black Barbie," directed by Lagueria Davis and produced by Aaliyah Williams. The documentary focuses on Mattel's introduction of a Black doll to its Barbie collection and the women behind it.

The documentary, titled "Black Barbie," highlights the significant impact of three Black women at Mattel on the evolution of the Barbie brand. It delves into the creation of the first Black Barbie in 1980, emphasizing the importance of representation and the role of dolls in shaping identity and imagination.

Executive producers for the documentary include Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Grace Lay, Sumalee Montano, Camilla Hall, Milan Chakraborty and Jyoti Sarda. The deal for the documentary was handled by Josh Braun and Matthew Burke of Submarine.


The acquisition of "Black Barbie" by Netflix and Shondaland has come at a time when the Barbie brand is in the limelight. This is due to the success of Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" movie, which featured Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The film has become the highest-grossing release of the year. It surpassed $1.4 billion in box office earnings.

FAQs

What is the 'Black Barbie' documentary about?
The documentary 'Black Barbie' centers on the introduction of a Black doll to the Barbie collection by Mattel and the pivotal role played by three Black women in this evolution.

Who are the executive producers of the 'Black Barbie' documentary, and how did Netflix and Shondaland acquire it?
Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers are executive producers of the documentary. Netflix acquired it under Shondaland's partnership, with the deal handled by Josh Braun and Matthew Burke of Submarine.