Hannah Waddingham has become part of the first ever UK “Barbie role models” duo alongside her Ted Lasso co-star Juno Temple, and she revealed the one strict request she had when her doll was being created.
The Barbie doll was modelled after her look at the SAG Awards in 2024. At the event, she wore a floor-length, off-the-shoulder red gown by Tony Ward, which has been reimagined in miniature for her doll. In her Barbie’s hand, is a replica of the bag Hannah took to the event which had a moving back story – a cardboard clutch decorated by her daughter.
Speaking in a video about the launch, Hannah revealed that she was able to have some input into the creation of her doll, and revealed what she specifically wanted to make sure was included.
“I made a point of saying I want the arms to have muscles on them, because that’s feminine too,” Hannah said.
Hannah’s Ted Lasso co-star and close friend off the screen, Juno Temple, also had a Barbie created in her likeness the other half of the role model duo. Her Barbie’s look was based on a vintage orange dress by Roberto Cavalli, which she wore to last year’s Emmy Awards and was complete with her trademark corkscrew curls.
The pair have become the first ever duo of “Barbie role models” in the UK, to honour the theme of friendship ahead of International Women’s Day.
In a release, Mattel said, that “55% of Gen Z and Millennials say friendship is more important than a romantic relationship, and women with a tight-knit circle of supportive women are 2.5 times more likely to become high performers at work.”
For this reason, the brand wanted to celebrate friendship, and chose Hannah and Juno because “their enduring friendship both on and off screen is beloved by fans.”
Speaking about her relationship with her co-star, Hannah said, “Our friendship has been unswerving, real and totally right since the second we laid eyes on each other.”
Juno added that to see herself as a doll representing both her story and her friendship with Hannah was, “truly an honour and an iconic moment that I will forever hold preciously in my heart. I know I’m going to proud of our dolls forever.”
