Barbie makers Mattel introduce new Chelsea doll with scoliosis

Mattel has embraced the “power of representation” in creating Barbie’s little sister, Chelsea.

The internet is abuzz with news that Mattel, the makers of Barbie, has introduced its first-ever doll with scoliosis.

The new doll, named Chelsea, is Barbie’s little sister and comes with a removeable back brace for her visibly curved spine, one of the primary symptoms of scoliosis.

Other symptoms of scoliosis – characterised by abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine – include one shoulder being higher than the other, one shoulder or hip being more prominent than the other, a prominent ribcage and/or different leg lengths.

Treatment isn’t always required for children, as the spine may improve naturally as they grow, bracing or casting is often used to stop the curve from progressing further.

Chelsea, who is six inches tall, wears a pink dress and white shoes, and has brown, wavy hair, aims to normalise scoliosis equipment and encourage children to celebrate inclusion.

Mattel, the makers of Barbie, has introduced its first-ever doll with scoliosis. The toy company has launched its new Chelsea doll, who is Barbie’s little sister, with a curved spine and a removable back brace. Picture: Supplied

Julie Sweet, a clinical psychotherapist who also has scoliosis, said the new Chelsea doll would be “a gift” to children with the condition.

“In my opinion such inclusion destigmatises conditions, in this case spinal issues for children,” Ms Sweet said.

“That representation causes children to be seen and that’s extremely powerful.”

Ms Sweet said inclusive dolls were also wonderful teaching tools to start a conversation between parents, caregivers, educators and clinicians.

“As an individual with scoliosis myself, I can imagine when I was a child that had I been exposed to a Barbie like the Chelsea doll, I would have felt less self-conscious and accepted.”

In developing the doll, Mattel worked closely with Dr Luke Macyszyn, a board-certified neurosurgeon and specialist in children’s complex spinal disorders.

Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, said: “We believe in the power of representation and are committed to creating dolls in a variety of looks so that kids can see themselves in Barbie - and now in a line celebrating Barbie’s little sister, Chelsea.

“We’re proud to launch the first-ever Chelsea doll with a removable back brace to continue to be more reflective of the world kids see around them.”

Last year, Mattel announced several additions to its line of dolls, heavily focused on disability representation and diversity inclusion.

The new dolls included a Barbie with a behind-the-ear hearing aid, and a Barbie with a prosthetic leg. A Ken doll with vitiligo, a condition where the skin loses pigmentation, was also introduced to the Barbie family. The new line also integrated other aspects of inclusion, such as diverse body types and hair textures.

In 2020, Mattel introduced a Barbie who used a wheelchair, and back in 2000, a Barbie doll with vitiligo debuted and quickly became one of the top five best-selling Fashionistas.

Originally published as Barbie makers Mattel introduce new Chelsea doll with scoliosis