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| Back of Cut and Style Barbie's Box |
I remember viewing her as an adorable African American child in 1990s TV commercials when she was about the age she appears on the back of Cut and Style Barbie's box. I immediately recognized Rivera after examining this doll-less box, which was found (yes) while looking for my Mego Diana Ross.
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| Cut and Style Barbie, 1994, shown above to illustrate the length of her hair |
Before finally discarding the box, I photographed the back to share my Rivera discovery, but first I removed and stored the doll's accessories, which were still attached to the card in the box. These include ponytail holders, a black hair extension, and child-safe orange scissors. I never planned to cut and style the almost floor length hair. Only a child would be tempted to cut it.
Another discovery is that Rivera's descent is described in an online bio as half Puerto Rican, quarter African, and quarter German. In those 1990s commercials, she was typecast according to the color of her skin.
