The “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” is back but in plastic this time. Tina Turner fans can now honor the superstar with a brand new Barbie doll collectable ready to rock out on display as the 40th anniversary of her chart-topping 1984 smash song “What’s Love Got to Do With It” approaches.
With an appearance inspired by the immediately memorable song video (and that haircut! ), the new Tina Turner doll joins the ranks of other singers celebrated in the Barbie Signature Music Collection, including Gloria Estefan, Elvis Presley, and David Bowie.
The Turner doll is available for $55 online at shops such as Amazon, Target, and Walmart, though the limited-edition doll has already sold out at some stores.
Turner collaborated closely with Mattel’s Barbie team to develop the doll’s appearance. Tina Turner commented.”
“I am honored to welcome my Barbie into the group of trailblazing women already represented and introduce more kids to my journey,”.” The Mattel design team devoted special attention to the video’s characteristic features, which included a black little dress teamed with a denim jacket, sleek black tights and high heels, and over-the-top 80s-styled hair.
The Private Dancer epoch Turner Barbie is one of a few recent Barbies dedicated to rock giants and music icons – the toy manufacturer previously released another limited-run Gloria Estefan collectable for Hispanic Heritage Month, the 33rd anniversary of her 1989 hit “Get on Your Feet” (and Estefan’s own birthday). Because they are limited-edition releases, some have been more difficult to locate than others (the Ziggy Stardust Barbie, in particular), but the Turner doll is still available on Amazon.
Aside from the most recent Barbie release, the legacy of “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” continues in a 2020 remake of the megahit. Turner stepped out of retirement at 80 to release a remix of “What’s Love Got to Do With It” by Kygo. A whole new video also accompanied the new dancefloor-ready version.
Turner’s most recent studio album, Twenty-Four Seven, was released in 1999, more than two decades ago. She presently resides in Switzerland with her husband, Erwin Bach, and stated to the New York Times in 2019 that she has no aspirations to return to music: “I don’t sing. I’m not a dancer. “I don’t get dressed up.”
Last year, HBO Max aired a documentary on Turner’s life.