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Barbie, the beloved doll with a rich history spanning over six decades, is once again in the spotlight. This time, the focus isn’t just on fashion and accessories but on a compelling story of diversity and inclusivity. In an exciting development, Shondaland and Netflix have secured the worldwide rights to Black Barbie, a documentary that unveils the captivating history of the first Black Barbie doll.

The year 1980 marked a significant milestone in the Barbie universe when the first Black Barbie doll was introduced. Directed by Lagueria Davis, the groundbreaking documentary delves into the journey of three extraordinary Black women at Mattel who played an instrumental role in making this historic moment possible.

Debuting as a work-in-progress cut at the SXSW festival, the film garnered widespread acclaim from both the audience and industry experts. This success paved the way for prominent figures to come on board as producers. As part of Shondaland’s ongoing partnership with Netflix, Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers will serve as executive producers for this enlightening project.

Davis, deeply connected to this project, expressed her personal journey, saying, “Telling Black Barbie’s story has been such a personal journey, and it warms my heart to celebrate the legacy of my aunt Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride Irby in our film. We couldn’t have asked for better collaborators than Shondaland and Netflix to bring this story to the world.”

The documentary promises to celebrate the remarkable impact of these three Black women at Mattel and their influence on the evolution of the Barbie brand as we know it. Through their captivating stories, the film delves into the history of how the first “Black Barbie” came to life in 1980, while also examining the profound importance of representation and how dolls can significantly shape one’s identity and imagination.

The Hollywood Reporter, alongside other esteemed media outlets, has praised the film with positive reviews. Not only does the documentary look back at the historical significance of the first Black Barbie, but it also addresses contemporary issues. It explores topics such as Barbie’s engagement in conversations on racism during the height of the 2020 protests and efforts to give “Black Barbie” her own stories.

The THR review notes, “Interesting as these subjects are, there’s a breathless quality to their unfolding here — an understandable effort to say as much as possible within a limited running time.”

“Black Barbie” joins the ranks of Barbie-related projects, following the massive success of Greta Gerwig’s live-action Barbie movie, which has already grossed an impressive $1.4 billion and counting at the box office.

In a world where diversity and representation are increasingly vital, the “Black Barbie” documentary tells a crucial story that goes beyond the doll itself. It is a story of perseverance, change, and the profound impact that a few individuals can have on an entire industry. As we eagerly anticipate its release, let’s celebrate the legacy of Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride Irby, and their remarkable contribution to the world of Barbie. Barbie is back, and this time, her story is more inclusive and inspiring than ever before.

Golda Rosheuvel has been acting for more than 20 years, and her talent has always been undeniable. Recently, however, she has been getting lots of attention for her role as Queen Charlotte in the new Netflix series, Bridgerton.

Rosheuvel was born in Guyana, but her family moved to the UK while she was growing up. In a Q&A with Shondaland, the British star revealed her favorite book is The Secret Garden and that she is “mad” for country music.

As Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton — Netflix’s fifth-biggest original series launch of all time — Golda Rosheuvel has earned rave reviews.

Her portrayal of the real-life queen has earned her praise from viewers and critics alike. Her ability to find the perfect balance between drama and comedy has helped her bring the character to life in ways many could have never imagined.

Rosheuvel told Glamour in January 2021 that Queen Charlotte was a role she never even dreamed about playing. “I just wasn’t represented. There weren’t people that looked like me playing roles like this,” she said. “But in terms of representation of color, it’s a beautiful, enriching time now. And Netflix is the perfect platform for a show like ours because it’s global. The audience can see themselves be represented. And I feel very, very blessed to be part of that.”

As the show continues to gain popularity, fans are anxiously awaiting the announcement that Bridgerton will be renewed for a second season. Keep reading for 10 things you didn’t know about Golda Rosheuvel.

 

1. She Comes From A Creative Family

Oftentimes when people are interested in the arts they find resistance from their loved ones who would prefer a more traditional path. Golda, however, was lucky to always have the support of her family. She told Broadway World, “I come from a very musical family: we’ve always sung, my father played instruments, my Mum was in an orchestra, my brother too. So it’s in the blood, I suppose!”

2. She Has Lots Of Theater Experience

Golda doesn’t have the most extensive on screen resume, but that doesn’t mean she’s lacking in experience. She has had a very successful theater career which includes roles in plays like Porgy and Bess, Romeo and Juliet, and The Winter’s Tale. She even portrayed Othello in a 2018 production of the play.

3. She Is A Lesbian

Golda is a proud lesbian and she understands the importance of representation of LGBTQ+ characters both on screen and on stage. She has played a gay character twice in her career. She is in a longterm relationship with a woman named Shireen Mula who is a writer..

4. She Found The Experience Of Playing Queen Charlotte To Be Empowering

One of the first things many viewers will notice when watching Bridgerton is that Queen Charlotte (Golda) is a woman of color. Although the queen’s true ethnicity remains somewhat of a mystery, there are many scholars who believe that she was, in fact, biracial.  Getting the chance to portray such an important part of history is something that is very meaningful to Golda. She told Insider, “It’s so empowering for an actress to have that background and that feeling that a person in the 1800s could have been fighting for her people and could have been fighting for representation.”

5. She Loves To Spread Positivity

Being a professional actress comes with a lot of ups and downs, but Golda has always refused to stay down for long. Golda does her best to maintain a positive attitude and she loves using her social media presence to spread positive messages to her followers.

6. She Is Very Active On Social Media

Golda may not have the largest social media following, but that has never stopped her from keeping her fans up to date with what she has going on. She’s very active on both Instagram and Twitter and she loves posting about her projects and some of her personal moments.

7. She Likes To Read

A love for performing wasn’t the only thing that was instilled in Golda from an early age. She also grew up in a household where a love for reading was instilled in her. As an adult, Golda continues to enjoy reading and she has a special place in her heart for poetry. Sometimes she even shares images of her favorite poems on social media.

8. She Loves Connecting With Her Fans

Golda understands the importance of building a strong relationship with her fans and she is grateful for the support they’ve shown her over the years. She loves getting the chance to interact with her fans and often uses social media as a means to do that. Now that her fan base is growing, there will be a whole new wave of people who are looking forward

Clearly Rosheuvel was born to play Queen Charlotte, and we can’t wait to see her in Season 2 of Bridgerton!

The Nigerian author has given us countless, cackle-worthy gems via her blog AwesomelyLuvvie.com, and it looks like her humor and candid wisdom will be making its way to television.

Shonda Rhimes‘ production company, Shondaland and ABC Signature Studios have acquired the rights to Luvvie’s New York Time’s Best Seller I’m Judging You: The Do Better Manual with plans to adapt the book into a CABLE comedy series.

Shonda has been a long time fan of Luvvie, and appreciates her wit and insight just as much as the rest of us.