Barbie Gets It: Female Friendships Are the Blueprint for Success
Friendship isn’t just about brunch dates and birthday shoutouts. It’s about showing up, holding space, and lifting each other through every phase of life. For Latinas, friendship is more than a support system. It’s survival, it’s sisterhood, it’s the unspoken pact that says, I’ve got you, no matter what. This International Women’s Day, Barbie is celebrating the power of female friendships by honoring global duos who embody empowerment, resilience, and connection. From Olympic gold medalists Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey to British acting besties Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple, the brand is turning legendary friendships into one-of-a-kind Barbie Role Model dolls. It is a tribute to the women who push each other to be their best.
But if there’s one thing Latinas know, it’s that our friendships have been doing this work long before the world caught on. Just look at Salma Hayek and Penélope Cruz, Karol G and Becky G, or Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore. These women have built careers, taken up space, and fought for each other through it all.
Barbie’s New Role Model Dolls Highlight Friendship as a Superpower
According to recent research, 55% of Gen Z and Millennials say friendship is more important than a romantic relationship. Similarly, other studies show that women with a strong support system are 2.5 times more likely to be high performers at work.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Barbie is paying tribute to iconic duos who have uplifted each other through their careers, personal challenges, and victories. The 2025 honorees include:
- Jordan Chiles & Jade Carey (U.S.) – Olympic gold medalists whose friendship fuels their success on and off the mat.
- Hannah Waddingham & Juno Temple (U.K.) – British actresses whose bond, born on the set of Ted Lasso, transcended Hollywood into real life.
- Evonne Goolagong Cawley & Ash Barty, AO (Australia) – Tennis legends and First Nations Australians who continue to pave the way for women in sports.
- Paola Antonini & Kelen Ferreira (Brazil) – Two women who found purpose and advocacy in their shared experience of disability and body positivity.
Each duo proves what Latinas have always known: friendship isn’t just about emotional support—it’s about real, tangible success.
Barbie’s Message Is Clear: Women Thrive Together
In a world that often pits women against each other, Barbie is choosing to celebrate female friendship as a force that fuels success. Beyond the Role-Model dolls, the brand is taking action by teaming up with Dr. Marisa Franco, a psychologist and best-selling author who specializes in friendship and belonging.
Dr. Franco is offering research-backed advice to help girls learn how to form and maintain lasting friendships, including:
- Take the initiative – Don’t wait for friendships to come to you—build them.
- Express appreciation – Tell your friends what they mean to you.
- Mix it up – Spend time together in different ways to strengthen your bond.
- Prioritize quality over quantity – One solid friendship is better than ten surface-level ones.
Barbie is also collaborating with Girl Talk, Inc. and Inspiring Girls International to create programming dedicated to fostering friendships among young girls. Their goal is to ensure that the next generation understands the power of connection from an early age.
Barbie’s New Film Celebrates Besties on Screen
Adding to the celebration, Barbie is dropping a new animated special, Barbie & Teresa: Recipe for Friendship, on Netflix on March 6. The 60-minute adventure follows Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts, Barbie “Malibu” Roberts, and their best friends, Teresa and Nikki, as they navigate NYC and learn the true meaning of friendship.
To bring this theme to life, Barbie is releasing new dolls and playsets inspired by the movie, including:
- Teresa Doll ($10.99) – A fashion doll featuring her signature pink dress and accessories.
- Malibu at the Market Playset ($19.99) – A food-themed set where kids can explore friendship through play.
- Teresa’s Kitchen Playset ($29.99) – A cooking-themed set that lets kids bring friendship into their own stories.
Barbie’s Friendship Collabs Are Bringing Besties Together
Barbie is also teaming up with brands like Alex & Ani, Crocs, Loungefly, and Forever 21 for friendship-inspired collabs, with select brands offering buy-one-get-one deals for besties on March 8.
Because at the end of the day, Barbie isn’t just celebrating friendship. She’s making sure we all get to live it.
