whitney

Whitney Houston is the latest addition to the world of Barbie.

The El Segundo-based toy company is honoring the late pop star with a new Barbie Signature doll. The toy, which debuted over the weekend in Atlanta, is wearing the recognizable look from Houston’s 1987 hit music video, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” The Houston doll wears a lilac-hued tank dress, colorful drop earrings and vibrant eye makeup, and comes with a microphone stand. The collectible costs around $60.

Houston’s estate worked closely with Mattel to create a doll that captures the late singer’s essence and glamour. The release lands about 40 years after the New Jersey-raised musician appeared in the music video for the popular song.

“Whitney Houston’s music has been the soundtrack to countless moments for fans around the world. Barbie is proud to honor her extraordinary legacy with the latest addition to the Barbie Signature Series,” Mattel Vice President and Head of Barbie Nathan Baynard said in a statement. “We hope it gives fans a meaningful way to celebrate the artist whose voice and influence continue to resonate around the world.”

The doll arrives at an uneasy moment for the brand it’s built on. In second-quarter results reported Aug. 4, Mattel’s worldwide gross billings for dolls fell 5% to $318 million, driven primarily by a decline in the Barbie brand — the same story as the first quarter, when doll billings dropped 8%, and as 2025, when the category slid 7% for the full year on Barbie declines. In March, Mattel laid off 65 employees, roughly a year after cutting 120 jobs to reduce costs. Shares of Mattel hovered around $14.72 midday, down 0.5%.

Mattel hopes to appeal to adult collectors and fans of Houston with its latest release.

Throughout her career, Houston earned the nickname of “The Voice” because of her unparalleled vocal abilities. Some of her biggest hits include “Saving All My Love For You,” “I Have Nothing,” and her cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” To this day, Houston holds the Guinness World Record for the most awards won by a female artist, with more than 400 prizes, including six Grammys. The singer died unexpectedly at age 48 in 2012.

Houston is joining other iconic female musicians as Barbie dolls. In recent years, Mattel released dolls that resemble Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan and Mariah Carey. Mattel’s Signature Series appeals to collectors of all kinds, as the company releases dolls of athletes such as LeBron James and Angel Reese, fictional characters such as Cher from the 1995 feature film “Clueless,” Supergirl and historical figures such as Ida B. Wells.

“The new Whitney Houston Barbie honors a woman whose voice, grace, beauty, and spirit inspired generations around the world,” Pat Houston, the executor of Houston’s estate, said.

“May this doll remind every child and every collector that dreams have no limits, excellence leaves a lasting imprint, and true greatness never goes out of style.”

LOVE Island stars Millie Court and Whitney Adebayo have left fans confused as to if it’s all over with their American boyfriends Zac and Yamen as they continued to fuel split rumours.

The pair have posted a string of cryptic clues, hinting they have called it quits with their partners just months after the All Stars series ended.

Taking to TikTok, Whitney, 28, shared a video of her and Millie having a boozy girls night – and fans are convinced they’re now single.

Sitting in their PJs on a bed they could be seen cheersing their drinks as the words, “so we’re gonna heal” played over the top of the clip.

The sound continued: “We’re gonna start again. You’ve bought the orchestra, synchronised swimmers. You’re the magician.

“Pull me back together again, the way you cut me in half.”

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Millie, 29 and Whitney burst out laughing while the sound played and she captioned the post with six laughing face emojis.

While some fans in the comments thought the pair were joking with their viewers amid the break up rumours, others were certain they had parted ways with their villa hunks.

One fan penned: “Sounds like another break up.”

Another fan wrote: “The healing journey continues.”

Meanwhile, a third fan said: “They’re joking, rage baiting I love it.”

Whitney’s man Yamen first sparked split rumours earlier this week following a bold social media post to his “exes.”

He shared a montage of him in various places around the world and added: “Never block your ex. 

“Always let them see what they missed out on.” 

Stunning blonde Millie also made waves this week when she replied to a fan’s message asking if she was ok.

Millie said: “I am all good… I do feel like I have been very quiet with content and haven’t been posting much on any platform really. 

“I was away for a whole month and then last week was really busy with work and things I couldn’t actually show you guys. 

“And then catching up with friends and family and I didn’t want my phone to be in my face or their faces… big catch ups were needed.”

Rushing to the comments fans were quick to point out that she didn’t mention Zac at all.

Both Whitney and Millie are yet to officially address the rumours.