The Barbie ‘Be Anything’ Tour will honor role models across the US including country music star, Kelsea Ballerini

BENTONVILLE, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mattel today announced the Barbie ‘Be Anything’ Tour to celebrate 60 years of inspiring the limitless potential in every girl. The traveling pop-up tour, designed to inspire girls they can be anything, will officially kick off on Barbie’s 60^th anniversary this weekend at Walmart in Bentonville, Ark. The tour will continue to 34 Walmart parking lots across the country to bring inspiring stories from local role models. Kelsea Ballerini, two-time GRAMMY nominee and chart-topping Country music star, will be honored at the Bentonville stop by sharing her story with fans and showing off the one-of-a-kind Barbie doll in her likeness.

The Barbie role models program honors women who have broken boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls. Ballerini is the only female Country artist to go No. 1 with her first three consecutive singles from a debut album and is currently climbing the charts with her fastest-rising single to date – “Miss Me More” – from her acclaimed sophomore album UNAPOLOGETICALLY. Ballerini joins a global line-up of 20+ role models honored for the Barbie 60^th anniversary.

“I am honored and humbled to join Barbie’s lineup of women from around the world to celebrate Barbie’s birthday and its mission to inspire girls everywhere,” said Ballerini. “I look forward to not only sharing my story, but more importantly hearing from girls and young women about their aspirations and vision for the future.”

At each stop, fans will have a chance to take photos inside a life-sized Barbie doll box, explore different careers in the You Can Be Anything dress-up zone, check out some of the original Barbie career dolls and learn more about the most iconic careers Barbie has held over the past 60 years. There will be a meet and greet with a local role model. Kids can also enter for a chance to win up to $20,000 to make their dreams come true.

“To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Barbie, we set out to imagine a new and fun way to bring the brand’s mission of inspiring girls across the nation with Walmart,” said Erica Zubriski, VP Walmart Sales, Mattel. “The Barbie Be Anything Tour inspires girls to be anything and allows us to celebrate this milestone moment with fans through a break frame ‘retailtainment’ experience and impressive line-up of role models in cities nationwide.”

The Barbie ‘Be Anything’ Tour will stop at Walmart stores in the following cities: Bentonville and Fayetteville, Arkansas (Mar. 9-10), Oklahoma City (Mar. 16-17), Dallas (Mar. 23-24), El Paso (Mar. 30-31), San Antonio (Apr. 6-7), Houston (Apr. 13-14), New Orleans (Apr. 27-28), Tunnersville and Woodbury, New Jersey (Aug. 3-4), Pittsburgh (Aug. 10-11), Detroit (Aug. 17-18), Chicago (Aug. 24-25), Indianapolis (Sep. 7), Louisville, Ky. (Sep. 8), Nashville (Sep. 14-15), Atlanta (Sep. 21-22), Orlando (Sep. 28-29), Miami (Oct. 5-6), and Los Angeles (Oct.12-13).

For 60 years, Barbie has been inspiring girls to be anything. From princess to president, astronaut to zoologist, there isn’t a plastic ceiling Barbie hasn’t broken. Today, she continues to spark imaginations with her exciting careers and fun fashions—inspiring the limitless potential in every girl.

To learn more about how the Barbie ‘Be Anything’ Tour visit www.walmart.com/barbiebeanything and follow #barbiebeanythingtour and #barbie60.

About Mattel

Mattel is a leading global children’s entertainment company that specializes in design and production of quality toys and consumer products. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic franchises, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, American Girl®, Fisher-Price®, Thomas & Friends® and Mega®, as well as other popular brands that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 40 locations and sell products in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and technology companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in exploring the wonder of childhood and empowering kids to reach their full potential. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.