Yvonne Chaka Chaka explains why she rejected her own Barbie
Veteran musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka has confirmed that she sent Barbie doll makers back to the drawing board, after two attempts to make a doll in her image failed.
Honoree Yvonne Chaka Chaka (R) accepts the Global Good Power Award onstage at the BET International Awards Presentation at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Picture: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images for BET / AFP
Just days after Lira was celebrated for becoming the first woman in Africa to have her own Barbie doll, Sunday World is reporting that the singer was plan B for the company after Yvonne turned them down.
Earlier this year Barbie sent out a press statement revealing that Yvonne would be the first African woman to be honoured as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations and its #MoreRoleModels campaign.
The veteran singer confirmed to Sunday World that she was approached by the doll company and loved the idea, but rejected the creations as it “looked like original Barbie dolls covered in brown polish”
She added that the dolls looked slimmer and did not have her facial features.
“They showed me the doll and I told them I’m not up for it if the said dolls will look nothing like me. This is simply because I was promised something that will look exactly like me. I respect myself that much,” she said.
Apparently, the songstress told the company to give it another shot, but even their second attempt failed to get her approval.
Barbie SA told the tabloid that they have an ongoing list of amazing women they would like to honour from across the continent. The company said they are inspired by Yvonne’s life story and career, and hope to work with her in the future.
Taking to Instagram last week, Lira said that she was deeply honoured to be Barbie’s first African role model
“I have always been someone who endeavours the celebration of my skin tone and natural hair, and it is amazing to see this reflected in my doll which I hope will inspire girls across the African continent. This is an enormous gesture and affirmation that the world is celebrating Africa for who we are,” she added.
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