Mattel has unveiled a new collector Barbie dedicated to legendary American singer Whitney Houston.

The doll’s look was inspired by one of Houston’s most iconic stage and music-video outfits – the memorable ensemble she wore in the 1987 video for «I Wanna Dance With Somebody». The song went on to become one of the biggest hits of the singer’s career and earned her a Grammy Award for «Best Female Pop Vocal Performance».

The doll is priced at $60 and is already available for purchase from Amazon and Walmart. The set also includes a microphone and a special stand for it.

According to Variety, Mattel worked on the collector Barbie in collaboration with Pat Houston – the late singer’s sister-in-law and the person responsible for managing her legacy. Music company Primary Wave Music also joined the project.

Photo: Mattel

Whitney Houston’s style can be described as iconic — bold, glamorous, and unapologetically powerful. Every ensemble amplified her presence, complementing that unmatched voice with a visual legacy that continues to inspire today.

Julien’s Auctions, in partnership with The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation, has announced an exclusive auction dedicated to the pop music icon. It will take place on August 11 in Los Angeles and promises to be a major event for Houston’s fans.

The auction will feature legendary stage costumes, including exclusive pieces by designer Marc Bouwer, as well as accessories and personal items of the singer. Among the most valuable lots are multi-platinum awards earned for global hits, including «I Will Always Love You.»

All proceeds — 100% of the profit — will be donated to a fund that supports Black art school students studying at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The initiative aims to foster the development of young talent in the arts and culture.

Photo: Julien’s Auctions

At the age of 92, Cissy Houston, a renowned American singer, Grammy Award winner, and mother of the late singer and actress Whitney Houston, has passed away. Her death was announced by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston.

Cissy suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and had been under the constant care of hospice specialists in recent times. The artist passed away on Monday, October 7, at her home in New Jersey, surrounded by her loved ones.

Pat Houston described Cissy as a «strong and remarkable person» and «a woman of deep faith and conviction». Cissy began her career as a gospel singer and achieved great success. As a backup vocalist, she collaborated with stars such as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Lou Rawls, Van Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Roy Hamilton. As a solo gospel artist, she won two Grammy Awards for her albums Face to Face in 1997 and He Leadeth Me in 1998.

Cissy Houston outlived her famous daughter by 12 years. For a long time, the press was filled with headlines about Whitney’s drug problems. The singer passed away on February 11, 2012. Her aunt discovered her body in the bathtub of a Beverly Hills hotel room on the eve of the 54th Grammy Awards. Attempts to revive the star were unsuccessful.

Whitney’s death was also a heavy blow for her daughter with musician Bobby Brown — Bobbi Kristina Brown. The young woman suffered several nervous breakdowns, which led to hospitalizations. The family was concerned she might fall victim to drugs, just like her mother. In 2015, Bobbi Kristina’s husband found her unconscious in the bathtub, her head submerged in water. Doctors placed her in a medically induced coma, where she remained for seven months before passing away.

Photo: Dan Hallman/Invision/AP, Evan Agostini/AP