Ballerina Misty Copeland chats about Barbie, fashion and body image

Misty Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, has starred in “Swan Lake,” been on the cover of Time magazine, been profiled by “60 Minutes,” been featured in a Prince video and has starred in advertising campaigns such as Under Armour’s “I Will What I Want” video, which has garnered more than 10 million views on YouTube.

Now El Segundo-based Mattel has designed a Barbie doll inspired by Copeland as part of the Barbie Sheroes line (pre-orders for the doll are available through Amazon.com and Target.com). Ava DuVernay, Emmy Rossum, Eva Chen, Kristin Chenoweth, Trisha Yearwood and Zendaya also have had Barbie dolls created in their likeness. Copeland chatted with us this week about beauty, fashion, body image and being a role model.

How did it feel when you were told you were going to be honored with your own Barbie as part of the Barbie Sheroes program?

I grew up playing with Barbie until the age of 13. It’s really such an honor, and it says so much about where the world is going and the evolution of people. We’re celebrating powerful women and a healthy body image. It’s amazing to have a Barbie that is a black ballerina, and she has muscles and is strong. It’s just really cool.

What are the most important things you considered when you helped to design the doll?

Her body proportions were very important to me, that they were realistic to what I look like, that they really show the athleticism of a dancer’s body. We have muscles and we need them to support our bodies to be able to do all that we do. It was also a critical decision figuring out what she was going to wear. Putting her in a costume that is inspired by the Firebird, the costume that I wore when I did that role, makes it even more powerful and close to me because it was such as significant role in my career that got me to where I am today. The doll could have been wearing anything. She could have been the Misty Copeland ballerina and wearing a tutu or rehearsal clothes, but it’s even more impactful to really represent Misty, to have her in something that meant something to me. The Firebird was the first principal role that I ever danced, and I’m doing it again this season. We open this month at the Metropolitan Opera House.

How does fashion and beauty inspire ballet and vice versa?

I definitely think they both influence each other. The fashion industry goes through their ballet-inspired times, and there are so many incredible fashion designers who have been part of the ballet world making costumes and inspiring choreographers. Being a ballerina and living in New York City, being exposed to the fashion world, has played a part in who I am. When I think of fashion, I consider what I’ve learned through the ballet technique, and that’s thinking of my line and what makes me look longer. That’s first and foremost to me when it comes to fashion.

What’s the secret to your flawless complexion?

I’m so focused on my body and keeping it healthy and fueling it that I don’t have a ton of time to have any crazy beauty secrets or routines. But I used Proactiv for a very, very, very long time.

Do you think your Barbie will be an inspiration to young girls and women?

She’s been an inspiration for so many years and for me to be another representation of her is just so encouraging for this generation of people to see a different view, a different side, of who Barbie can become. People can see themselves through her and through the body and image that the Misty Barbie is. Barbie doesn’t look just one way and [she] is capable of more than just a limited number of careers. She comes in different shapes and sizes and is capable of anything. And that’s empowering not just for girls and women but men as well.

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UPDATE:

4 p.m. May 3: Pre-orders of the Misty Copeland Barbie have sold out on thebarbiecollection.com. The story update includes links to retailers Target.com and Amazon.com where pre-orders are still available.