Are you a Barbie girl? Do you feel you live in a Barbie world? Florida is hosting the perfect event for you this weekend.
Event leader Mischief Management teamed up with Mattel on “Barbie Dream Fest,” the first-ever official fan festival dedicated to all things Barbie.
Taking place in Fort Lauderdale this weekend, the multi-day festival will feature immersive experiences and moments that explore the “legacy, evolution, and boundless imagination of the Barbie brand.” They will also host several inspiring speakers, including “Bayou Barbie” WNBA star Angel Reese.
Ahead of this weekend’s inaugural convention, Reese participated in a Q&A with the USA TODAY NETWORK Florida about her appearance at fan festival and what it means to represent the Barbie brand.
Here’s what she said:
Growing up, did you play with Barbie dolls — and if so, what did Barbie represent to you as a kid?
“What I remember most about growing up with Barbie is how she made everything feel possible. One day she’s an athlete, the next day she’s running a business, traveling the world — it was all about dreaming big. As a kid, that stuck with me. It made me feel like I didn’t have to choose just one path — I could be confident, creative, powerful, and still be myself.”
What does it mean to you to be part of the very first Barbie fan festival, especially alongside women like Serena Williams and NASA engineer Dr. Swati Mohan?
“It’s incredible — it’s bigger than just an event, it’s history. Being part of the first Barbie fan festival is already special, but then you look at who I’m sharing this time with – Serena Williams, who redefined greatness, and Dr. Swati Mohan, who’s literally changing the world through science.”
WNBA visibility continues to grow. How meaningful is it to you that women’s basketball is being featured in major pop-culture spaces like Barbie Dream Fest?
“It means everything — and it’s about time. So many before me allowed for this to happen. We’ve been putting in the work and now people are really seeing us not just as athletes, but as leaders and culture-shifters. Being part of something like Barbie Dream Fest shows that women’s basketball is bigger than the court — it’s global, it’s powerful, and it’s inspiring young girls everywhere to dream even bigger. That visibility? It changes lives.”
Barbie has long stood for the idea that girls can be anything. How does that message connect with your own journey, from LSU to becoming a two-time WNBA All-Star with the Chicago Sky?
“That message is everything to me because it’s my story. I’ve had people doubt me, question my confidence, try to put limits on who I could be — but I never let that stop me. From LSU to the WNBA, I’ve always been unapologetically myself and believed I could be more, do more, and be myself while doing it. Barbie stands for confidence, versatility, and owning your power — and that’s exactly how I’ve built my journey.”
Does the nickname ‘Bayou Barbie’ feel like it’s come full circle in some way? From a fan-given nickname to being embraced by the brand itself at this event?
“It really does feel full circle — “Bayou Barbie” started with the fans, and it was just something fun, something that represented my time at LSU — but now it’s grown into something way bigger. To have Barbie embrace that and bring me into this moment, that’s special. It shows how powerful it is to be authentically yourself.”
Barbie has reinvented herself across more than 250 careers. As someone who’s already expanded beyond basketball into media and branding, how do you see your career evolving next?
“I’m just getting started! Basketball is my foundation, but I’m building something way bigger than that. I’m stepping into television, fashion, business — everything. I want to create opportunities, build my own platforms, and inspire the next generation to think beyond just one lane. Barbie shows you can evolve, reinvent, and keep leveling up — and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
What do you hope fans, especially young girls, walk away with after hearing you speak during this event?
“I want them to leave feeling empowered. Like, truly believing that they can be anything they want. I want them to see me and think, “I can do that too.” You don’t have to dim your light, you don’t have to fit into anyone else’s expectations — be bold, be confident, and go after everything you want.”
If Barbie were to create an official doll inspired by you, what traits or messages would you want it to represent for the next generation?
“It would definitely represent confidence and being unapologetically yourself. I’d want my doll to show girls that it’s okay to stand out, to be strong, to be stylish, to be competitive — all of it. You don’t have to pick one version of yourself. You can be powerful and feminine, focused and fun. And of course — it’s gotta have some style to it too.”
What are you most excited about at Barbie Dream Fest? What can fans expect?
“Fans can expect inspiration, real conversations, and a lot of unforgettable moments. It’s not just an event— it’s an experience!”
Want to see Angel Reese? See tickets for Barbie Dream Festival
Barbie Dream Fest is coming to the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29.
Tickets for Barbie Dream Fest are on sale at BarbieDreamFest.com. Single-day passes are $72 for adults and $33 for children aged 3 to 9.
Three-day passes for adults are $152.50, and for children aged 3 to 9, $78. They also offer a family pack for $438.00 with two adult tickets and two children’s tickets.
They offer two different premier passes:
Who are the speakers for Barbie Dream Fest?
In addition to Reese, here are the other speakers and panelists at Barbie Dream Fest:
They will appear on panels and in interactive programs, as well as for autograph sessions, photo ops, and meet-and-greet opportunities with fans. Some guests only will appear on one day of the festival, so check your ticket ahead of time to see if your favorite speaker is attending.
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida’s Barbie Dream Fest: Q&A with WNBA’s Angel Reese, who will appear
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
