Bratz dolls were a staple toy for many ’90s babies, specifically Black girls. Now, the brand has found itself at the center of an online discourse since the release of its newest and first celebrity collaboration.
With the new “Barbie” movie out, doll enthusiasts have been all over social media debating which doll was the best growing up. Bratz took this as an opportunity to announce it tapped Kylie Jenner as its first celebrity collaboration. In a press release, Jenner shared her excitement for the collaboration.
““I have been a fan of Bratz since childhood, and I’ve always wanted my own Bratz doll,” she shared. “I have loved every step of the process this past year in creating these dolls alongside the Bratz team. I’m so excited they are here!”
Upsetting Bratz Fans
One of the biggest concerns that fans of the doll have is the skin complexion of the toy. Kylie Jenner and her family have routinely faced accusations of “blackfishing,” which is the act of non-Black people making their features appear more like those of a Black person.
Additionally, fans are disappointed because of the brand’s choice to use Jenner as the first celebrity collaboration. Although it was never officially stated, the brand is widely considered by fans to be based on women who from Black and Latina backgrounds. There was a large discussion on Twitter about using Jenner when Rihanna would have been the perfect celebrity to create a doll after, given that she embodies everything that Black girls saw when playing with Bratz dolls growing up.
“Giving Kylie (a white woman who modeled her face/body around Black women) her own Bratz doll (which is an arguably more Urban/Black presenting doll) before an ACTUAL Black woman is…weird,” one user tweeted.
The idea to use Kylie Jenner for the collaboration added fuel to the fire of the idea that the Kardashian-Jenner clan exploits Black culture. All across the internet, there are many users disappointed with what could have been a history-making moment for Black women.