Ilona Maher is a Barbie girl ... in a rugby world.
The 2024 Olympic rugby bronze medalist for Team USA is being honored with her own Barbie doll as she joins Team Barbie, a new venture from Barbie's manufacturer, Mattel, in celebration of International Day of the Girl.
Maher is one of four rugby superstars who will make up Team Barbie, which aims to "to encourage girls to own their confidence proudly."
“We’re committed to breaking down the barriers — from gender stereotypes to self-doubt — that hold girls back from realizing their limitless potential," said Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie, Mattel in a press release. "By showcasing the stories of incredible role models whose confidence has fueled groundbreaking success, we’re showing girls that the future of sports – or wherever their passion takes them — is theirs to claim, with Team Barbie cheering them on.”
The other three members of Team Barbie include, 2024 Rugby Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne (England), two-time Olympic champion Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (New Zealand) and Olympic silver medalist Nassira Konde (France).
The dolls, which will be available for purchase in 2026, will celebrate the four women who “boldly wear their confidence” and compete in a “sport often regarded as a male-dominated field," per the Mattel release.
In addition to her dominance on the field, Maher has become a superstar and a trailblazer in social media, championing body positivity and encouraging more awareness and participation in women's sports.
“Barbies are the ultimate image of beauty and femininity. And so that’s what we grew up seeing every day,” Maher told Reuters. “What I want is that when girls play with this and they see my Barbie and the broad shoulders and the big arms, that can kind of shape their views of beauty as well.”
According to a study conducted by Mattel, one in three girls disengages from sports by age 14, primarily due to body confidence, self-doubt and a lack of female role models within sport.
"Being part of Team Barbie is about showing girls that confidence isn’t something to shy away from, but something to own," Maher said in the Mattel statement. "I’m honored to use my platform to empower the next generation to find that spark of confidence within themselves and let it drive them toward unlocking their limitless possibilities.”
Matt Liberman is a reporter and video producer for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.