Responding to social media backlash and critical media coverage, Barbie this week acknowledged it “fell short” with its line of Olympic Barbie dolls.
The special offering which included a diverse group of five Barbies lacked any Asian representation.
The Huff Post reports that Mattel says it “will work to find more ways to champion all representation.”
The lack of Asian dolls in its new line is particularly glaring since at least three Asian Americans came home with Gold medals in the Tokyo Olympics. Hmong American Suni Lee won gold in the all around gymnastics competition. Filipino American Lee Keifer came out on top, becoming the first Asian American to win a gold in fencing and Filipino-Chinese-Mexican American Justine Wong Orantes won gold with Team USA in volleyball.
Mattel had promoted its five Olympic dolls as featuring five new Olympic sports. It said its skateboarding doll was meant to be Asian, but acknowledged that didn’t register with most people.
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