Scores of Bratz fans are not happy about their latest limited edition collection of the doll that portrays Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Kylie Jenner.
On Monday, Bratz made a formal announcement stating that they have entered into their first-ever celebrity partnership. The new collection, called Bratzified, will feature the make-up entrepreneur wearing her most celebrated red carpet looks, including her 2019 Met Gala lavender feathered Versace dress.
But fans noticed that the new doll looks notably darker than the 25-year-old Los Angeles native. On social media, users expressed discontent about the doll’s skin tone, stating that Jenner, who is white, looks like a Black woman in the doll’s depiction. They further stated that had the doll company wanted to feature a darker-skinned celeb, they should have collaborated with a Black woman instead.
The toy’s manufacturer, MGA Entertainment, has been known in the past to highlight women of color, according to a report in The Independent.
“Move Aside Kylie Jenner, We Want These Bratz Collabs Instead!” The Root tweeted.
“Why would bratz make Kylie Jenner, a whole yt woman darker than Yasmin ??? Please gtfo my face. Clearly there was a better way to do this,” @winejugs wrote.
“Why is Kylie Jenner’s Bratz doll light skin? I’m…” @itsjubibaby wrote.
“Why Kylie Jenner got a bratz doll? And why does it look black?” @_newcleopatra wrote.
Another wrote: “Why would you accept a collaboration like this? Bratz dolls are crucial to the Black community. Even the Hispanic community too. The first celebrity collaboration should’ve been a WOMAN OF COLOR.”
In a press release issued Monday, MGA Entertainment said the collaboration “reimagines” Jenner, a “pop culture queen,” as a Bratz doll.
“The Bratz x Kylie collection gives Kylie the classic Bratz treatment, while also pulling inspiration from her personal style and most iconic fashion moments,” the release reads.
Furthermore, the statement said Jenner always wanted to have her own doll from the time she was a child.
“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!” Jenner said.
And Jasmin Larian, Bratz’s creative director, said: “This is a seminal moment in Bratz history to join forces with Kylie Jenner as the brand’s first-ever celebrity collaboration. Kylie truly embodies everything Bratz has stood for since its inception 22 years ago – from being disruptive and rebellious to energetic and expressive.”
