Did you watch the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) last night?
While the stage was dominated by pop stars, including Madonna, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, and Doja Cat, the reality is that behind the scenes, women hold few roles. According to recent studies, less than 3% of today’s music is produced by women and Barbie wants to change that.
Following the awards, Mattel revealed its 2021 Barbie Career of the Year Doll: Barbie Music Producer.
The new doll is part of the continuing mission of the Barbie Dream Gap Project — an effort that seeks to level the playing field for all careers. Four versions of the Music Producer Doll are available starting today. Each wears a graphic tee, jeans, an iridescent crop jacket, and platform boots and has colorful hair. The dolls also come with a sound mixing board, computer, and headphone accessories.
As part of the launch, Barbie has joined forces with Grammy Award-nominated music producer, songwriter, singer, and actress Ester Dean, Girls Make Beats, and MTV for a variety of initiatives aimed at introducing the world of music production to girls everywhere.
Girls Make Beats is an organization dedicated to expanding the female presence in music, particularly as music producers, DJs, and audio engineers. Barbie is funding Girls Make Beats scholarships to give more girls access to pursue their future dream. Together, Barbie, Girls Make Beats and Dean will host a live webinar, open to girls ages 5-17.
On Sept. 18, at 8 p.m. ET, an hour-long takeover of MTV’s Saturday Music Video Block will be hosted by Barbie and feature hit songs produced exclusively by women. The event will be followed by Barbie’s latest vlog, I Interview Ester Dean, Song Machine, on Friday, Sept. 24 on the Barbie YouTube channel.
For more information about the Barbie Dream Gap Project and the upcoming webinar with Ester Dean, visit barbie.com/dreamgap.
