Move Over Margot Robbie, Here’s Our Fave Black Barbies IRL

In honor of the Barbie movie out in theaters, we felt it fitting to highlight the beauties in our own backyard. Come on Barbies, let’s go party!

Issa Rae attends a photocall on July 13, 2023 in London, England. Photo: Getty Images Stuart C. Wilson for Warner Bros.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but it’s officially a Hot Barbie Summer. Whether you plan to be all dolled up in pink for the rest of the season or grabbing your friends to go see the long-awaited Barbie movie (that’s out in theaters now, btw)—we felt it fitting to roundup of our favorite Black Barbies IRL get you in the mood.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Amanda Warren Admits There’s No Living Without These 3 Fashion Must-Haves

Move over Margot Robbie, BarbieLand is about to get a whole lot more melanated!

Let’s get this party started with none other than our President Barbie Issa Rae. She’s been a vision of light, love, and all around dopeness for years now some of course she’s one of our top picks.

Lizzo

Photo: Getty Images Astrida Valigorsky

Lizzo may be doing it for the big grrrrrls, but she’s also doing it for the girls whose face card never declines because DO YOU SEE THAT SMILE? Priceless.

Lori Harvey

Photo: Getty Images John Lamparski

You’d have to blind not see to how beautiful and talented Lori Harvey is. What more could we want in a Barbie??

Naomi Campbell

Photo: Getty Images VALERY HACHE / Contributor

Naomi Campbell quite literally paved the way for so many of the Barbies you see today and for that, we stan!

Halle Berry

Photo: Getty Images Lionel Hahn

An OG just like Naomi, could we really make a list like this and leave off Halle Berry? Hell no.

Mariama Diallo

Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores/Variety

JUST LOOK AT HER. Model Mariama Diallo is what all Barbie dreams are made of and wedare you to tell us something different.

Justine Skye

Photo: Getty Images Dia Dipasupil

When’s the last time you saw a Barbie smize as good as Justine Skye? We’ll wait.

Nia Long

Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo

Nia Long has been a vision of beauty and light for countless years and there’s absolutely no way she’s NOT the perfect Barbie.

Ari Lennox

Photo: Getty Images Josh Brasted / Contributor

Aside from having the voice of a goddess, Ari Lennox is our official She Butter Barbie and we don’t know where we’d be without her.

Beyoncé

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood

Big “B” and the “B” stands for “RENAISSANCE BARBIE” because Beyoncé will always be queen.

Sanaa Lathan

Photo: Getty Images Corey Nickols for IMDb

Has there ever been a time where Sanaa Lathan didn’t look like Barbie angel personified? Yeah, we didn’t think so either.

Ryan Destiny

Photo: Getty Images Bennett Raglin for BET

Model and singer Ryan Destiny quite literally looks like what we imagine Barbie angels to look and we dare you to say otherwise.

Chlöe

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter

Chlöe having a song titled “Have Mercy” is fitting because that what all these other Barbies better hope she has on them while she continues to stunt and shine in all her beauty and essence.

Bozoma Saint John

Photo: Getty Images Araya Doheny for EMILY’s List

Not only is Bozoma Saint John a boss in the business world, but she’s an absolute beauty at the same time. We love a Barbie that can be both!

Eva Marcille

Photo: Getty Images Charles Sykes/Bravo

Whether you know her as America’s Next Top Model Barbie or RHOA Barbie, one thing that’s for certain is that Eva Marcille is the Barbie who always slays.

Marsai Martin

Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores/Variety

Two words that come to mind when we think about Marsai Martin as Barbie? YES NIECE.

Yara Shahidi

Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo

Yara Shahidi may have just played Tinkerbell, but she’s quite literally been one of our most beloved Barbies since she was a baby. We’ll always go up for her!

Janelle Monae

Photo: Getty Images Santiago Felipe

This Barbie a.k.a. Janelle Monae has entered her age of pleasure and we’re absolutely here for it!

Megan Thee Stallion

Photo: Getty Images Aaron J. Thornton

This Barbie has the brains, the beauty and the body-ody-ody-ody to be the perfect doll in our eyes. We don’t call her Hot Girl Meg for nothing!

Meagan Good

Photo: Getty Images Leon Bennet

Meagan Good has been setting the standard for Barbies unknowingly since she first came on the scene and she’s looking better and better with each passing year. We aspire!

Lupita Nyong’o

Photo: Getty Images Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan

What’s understood shouldn’t have to be explained and such is the case with Lupita Nyong’o. If we didn’t have her as one of our fave Barbies, shame on us!

Tessa Thompson

Image: Getty Images Joe Maher

This Barbie, a.k.a. Tessa Thompson is a Marvel star and the devoted wife of a boxing champion. What more could we ask for?

Keke Palmer

Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai

Baby, this Barbie is Keke Palmer and she’s our bestie in our heads so of course she’s making this list.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Most Handsome & Brilliant Black Men From Every Era

The Most Handsome & Brilliant Black Men From Every Era

From Barack Obama to Kendrick Lamar, these talented and attractive men wowed society with both their looks and contributions to the world. Let’s take a look! …
Black Films To Look Forward to in 2026

Black Films To Look Forward to in 2026

From Colman Domingo to Halle Bailey, Black stars are coming in hot with new movies in 2026. Let’s take a look! …
Black Internet Responds to Alex Cross' Romance With a White Woman in the New 'Cross' Season

Black Internet Responds to Alex Cross’ Romance With a White Woman in the New ‘Cross’ Season

Aldis Hodge is back as Detective Alex Cross on Prime Video’s hit show ‘Cross.’ But this new seasons have fans speaking out for a funny yet interesting reason …
Black Woman's Essay on Modern Dating Is Lighting Up The Comments Section

Black Woman’s Essay on Modern Dating Is Lighting Up The Comments Section

A Black woman shared her take on dating Black men in 2026, and people can’t stop talking about it …
Candace Owens Has MAGA <i>Furious</i> After Announcing Series Investigating Charlie Kirk's Widow

Candace Owens Has MAGA Furious After Announcing Series Investigating Charlie Kirk’s Widow

After launching a new series investigating Erika Kirk, Candace Owens is getting dragged by MAGA sick and tired of all of the drama …
A North Carolina 3-Year-Old Was Hot Glued to a Chair. Now, Their Teacher Learns Her Fate

A North Carolina 3-Year-Old Was Hot Glued to a Chair. Now, Their Teacher Learns Her Fate

After a three-year-old at a Charlotte suburb daycare wouldn’t sit still, teacher Lashawna Williams did the unthinkable. Now, she just learned her fate …
This Former Miami Mayor Was a Successful Immigrant -- But the Government Says He Led a Double Life

This Former Miami Mayor Was a Successful Immigrant — But the Government Says He Led a Double Life

All eyes are on one former North Miami mayor after a jaw-dropping federal lawsuit is calling his citizenship and marriage status into question …
Marla Gibbs is Spilling Major Tea in Her New Memoir, Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know

Marla Gibbs is Spilling Major Tea in Her New Memoir, Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know

At 94 years young, Marla Gibbs is out with a memoir, detailing her unconventional road to stardom. We’re looking at 5 things you didn’t know about the actress …
Are the $2,000 Tariff Refunds Trump Promised <i>Actually</i> Coming?

Are the $2,000 Tariff Refunds Trump Promised Actually Coming?

Pressure is mounting from business owners, working-class Americans and Democrats for Trump to give a full tariff refund as he promised …
Why White Women Are Being Dragged After Trump’s State of the Union Address Over DEI

Why White Women Are Being Dragged After Trump’s State of the Union Address Over DEI

White women who stood to their feet, applauding the “end” of DEI are facing backlash, for good reason …
NFL Star Shares Important, Heartbreaking Message Following Fellow Player's Suicide

NFL Star Shares Important, Heartbreaking Message Following Fellow Player’s Suicide

NFL star A.J. Brown is opening up about mental health and encouraging his fellow football players and fans, by extension, to get the help they need …
Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is <i>Through</i>

Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is Through

As the internet was still reeling from the N-word incident at the 2026 BAFTAs, Google has now unintentionally added more fuel to the fire! Let’s get into it …
Black Leaders React to Trump's State of the Union

Black Leaders React to Trump’s State of the Union

Hakeem Jeffries, Justin J. Pearson, Scott Colom, Mandela Barnes and more Black leaders had plenty of thoughts after Trump’s State of the Union address …
Justin J. Pearson on What the State of the Union Address Should Really Means for Black Folks

Justin J. Pearson on What the State of the Union Address Should Really Means for Black Folks

Tenn. politician Justin J. Pearson broke down exactly what all Black folks should take away from Trump’s State of the Union address on Feb. 24 …
Why J. Cole's "Everyman" Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

Why J. Cole’s “Everyman” Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

​The superstar rapper has been driving around the country selling CDs out of the trunk of his used Honda Civic …
It's Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

It’s Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

Black people have always leaned toward home ownership but the changing housing landscape should have us thinking about other ways to obtaining equity …
Why Black Folks Are <i>Always</i> Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Why Black Folks Are Always Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Black folks are being asked to “turn the other cheek” after the BAFTA scandal, but given the deep history of forcing Black people to submit, the wound is still too fresh …
EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What's at Stake for Black Voters

EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What’s at Stake for Black Voters

The Root spoke to NAACP President Derrick Johnson about why he has “no expectations” for Trump’s State of the Union address …
How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

Following her MAGA events, Nicki Minaj has the Barbz divided with some stuck between sticking beside their Queen or stepping away…for good …
Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Jim Crow laws were in place not that long ago. Even though many photos from that time are in black and white, the history is far from ancient and the remnants are all around us …