Raquelle Barbie – A Nostalgic Look at Barbie’s Stylish Frenemy and Her Doll History
Raquelle is one of the memorable characters in the Barbie universe, known as Barbie’s fashionable yet scheming “frenemy.” Introduced in the mid-2000s, Raquelle quickly became a fan-favorite for her dramatic flair and rivalry with Barbie.
From her first appearance as the queen bee of high school to her role in hilarious web series episodes, Raquelle’s character history is rich with iconic moments. Alongside her on-screen story, Mattel has released several Raquelle dolls over the years – each reflecting her evolving style. This article explores Raquelle’s history as a character, her presence in Barbie movies and shows, and the many Raquelle Barbie doll releases that delighted collectors and fans.
Prepare for an informative and nostalgic journey through Raquelle’s world, perfect for anyone who grew up with Barbie (especially those 16–24-year-old fans who might be feeling nostalgic about their childhood dolls).
Who Is Raquelle in the Barbie Universe?
Raquelle is often portrayed as Barbie’s friend-turned-rival – the girl who is always trying to upstage Barbie. Within Barbie’s circle of friends, Raquelle stands out as the frenemy: she’s part of the gang, yet constantly competing with Barbie. Story-wise, Raquelle is characterized as confident, stylish, and a bit self-centered. She loves being in the spotlight and, more often than not, she wants that spotlight on herself. In fact, official descriptions note that Raquelle “loves looking at herself more than anything” and dreams of catching Barbie in an embarrassing moment.
Whether it’s a fashion contest or vying for Ken’s attention, Raquelle is driven, competitive, and not above a devious scheme or two. Despite her scheming, Raquelle isn’t a villain in the traditional sense – she’s more of a comedic antagonist who ultimately learns lessons about friendship. A fun tidbit about Raquelle is that she has a twin brother named Ryan. Ryan, much like his sister, often competes for Barbie’s affection (adding to the sibling shenanigans). Raquelle’s appearance has evolved a bit over time: she’s usually depicted as a young woman with long dark hair (originally black or brunette) and brown eyes. Interestingly, early on her look was different (even featuring lighter, strawberry-blonde hair), but eventually Raquelle’s design settled into a glamorous brunette style that many fans recognize.
Over the years, Mattel subtly tweaked Raquelle’s ethnicity and look – by around 2011, Raquelle began to be portrayed with an East Asian-inspired appearance, adding some diversity to Barbie’s group of friends. (Mattel never explicitly stated Raquelle’s background, leaving it open to interpretation, but many fans embraced her as one of Barbie’s prominent Asian characters.) What remained constant is Raquelle’s flashy fashion sense and her trademark smirky smile that hints at her sassy personality. In summary, Raquelle is Barbie’s stylish foil – a friend who sometimes behaves like a rival. Her character brings a fun mix of drama and humor to Barbie stories, and her dolls often capture that same spark with bold outfits and a confident pose.
Early Years: Introduction of Raquelle in the 2000s
Raquelle made her debut in the 2000s, marking a new era of Barbie friends who weren’t always perfectly sweet. The first time audiences met Raquelle was in 2006 with the direct-to-DVD movie The Barbie Diaries. In this teenage-themed film, Raquelle appears as the popular “mean girl” at Barbie’s high school. She’s the queen bee of the school – popular, chic, and a bit bossy – accompanied by two lackeys (named Ragan and Dawn) who never appeared again after that story. In The Barbie Diaries, Raquelle isn’t exactly friendly to Barbie; in fact, she frequently insults Barbie and even makes her do silly tasks (like fetching water) just to assert her dominance.
She also dates the boy Barbie has a crush on, effectively “stealing” Barbie’s boyfriend in classic mean-girl fashion. With her strawberry-blonde hair and snarky attitude, Raquelle immediately stood out and became an iconic character in Barbie’s world. Many viewers remember Raquelle as one of Barbie’s first real rivals – a character who added a dose of realistic teen drama to the usually upbeat Barbie stories.
Raquelle’s first doll, as seen in the 2006 Barbie Diaries line, reflected her on-screen style. This Raquelle doll had strawberry-blonde hair and a trendy school outfit, capturing the character’s original “queen bee” look.
(The Barbie Diaries Raquelle doll is now a rare collectible from that era.) Following The Barbie Diaries, Raquelle didn’t disappear – far from it. Mattel introduced Raquelle as part of the Fashion Fever doll line around 2007, integrating her into Barbie’s doll universe as a recurring character.
In the late 2000s, Raquelle dolls featured in several playsets, books, and toy lines, often labeled as “Barbie’s friend (who’s not really her friend).” This playful description hinted at Raquelle’s frenemy status even in product marketing. During these early years, Raquelle’s character began to shift visually to the dark-haired version.
By the time she appeared in doll form outside the Barbie Diaries storyline, Raquelle was typically shown with long black or deep brunette hair, aligning with the fashionista image she’d carry forward. Kids who followed Barbie media in the 2000s might have read storybooks where Raquelle causes mischief or seen her in Barbie’s online content.
Essentially, the late 2000s established Raquelle as a staple character – the stylish rival in Barbie’s expanding friends lineup.
Raquelle’s Movie Comeback in 2010–2011
After her initial debut, Raquelle took a brief break from the spotlight, but she came roaring back in the early 2010s through Barbie’s animated movies. 2010 saw Raquelle’s return in the film Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale. In this movie, Barbie (as an actress character) heads to Paris, and Raquelle shows up as a rival once more. This time, Raquelle isn’t the school mean girl but rather Barbie’s frenemy in the fashion world. She’s depicted as one of Barbie’s acquaintances who ends up vying for attention – and yes, she again tries to get between Barbie and Ken. In A Fashion Fairytale, Raquelle attempts to steal Ken’s affection by tricking Barbie (there’s a mix-up where Barbie thinks Ken broke up with her, thanks to Raquelle’s meddling). Throughout the adventure, Raquelle serves as a comedic foil, determined to one-up Barbie at every turn. Notably, this movie solidified Raquelle’s modern look: she appears with jet black hair and a glam wardrobe, matching the design of the Raquelle dolls from the Fashion Fever line. Fans who watched this movie got to see Barbie and Raquelle as equals in popularity (unlike the high school setting where Raquelle was above Barbie socially). The dynamic here is two fashionistas sparring – with plenty of witty banter and over-the-top moments.
In 2011, Raquelle featured in another Barbie film: Barbie: A Fairy Secret. This movie has an interesting twist for Raquelle’s character. At the start, Raquelle is still behaving as Barbie’s rude rival – her jealousy of Barbie is on full display. But when Ken gets kidnapped by fairies, Barbie and Raquelle find themselves teaming up on a magical rescue mission. During A Fairy Secret, it’s revealed why Raquelle is so antagonistic: deep down, she admits feeling jealous of Barbie’s popularity and talents, believing Barbie is “pretty, smart, and everything she’s not.”
This confession humanizes Raquelle, showing a more vulnerable side behind the snarky exterior. By the end of the adventure, Barbie and Raquelle actually make peace and agree to be friends. In this film, Raquelle still sports her glamorous black hair and fashion-forward outfits, but we see growth in her personality – she learns a lesson about confidence and friendship. For many fans, A Fairy Secret was memorable because it’s one of the few times we see Raquelle let her guard down. It also set the stage for Raquelle to be a recurring character in a friend capacity (though, as we’ll see, the truce didn’t last too long in later stories). Barbie movies in 2010–2011 firmly re-established Raquelle in the Barbie mythos.
These appearances coincided with new Raquelle dolls on store shelves – including a doll tied to A Fairy Secret (complete with fairy wings, reflecting the movie’s theme) for that year. Raquelle was back, and she was here to stay, both in media and as a beloved doll for collectors.
Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse – Raquelle’s Iconic Role
Raquelle as seen in Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse (2012–2015) embraced full diva mode. In the web series, Raquelle is always dressed to impress – often in a gold-accented outfit – and ready with a confident pose. Her character brings endless humor as the girl determined to outshine Barbie at every opportunity, making her a standout of the series. One of Raquelle’s most popular appearances came with the hit web series Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse, which ran from 2012 to 2015. In this tongue-in-cheek animated web series, Raquelle truly shines as the main antagonist – or rather, the main troublemaker – constantly plotting ways to upstage Barbie. Life in the Dreamhouse is set in a faux reality-TV style version of Barbie’s world, full of humor that older teens and young adults could enjoy.
Raquelle fit perfectly into this setting. She lives in her own glamorous pad (aptly called The Raquelle Mansion) right across the street from Barbie’s Dreamhouse, and she spends most of her time coming up with schemes to make herself look better than Barbie. Whether it’s throwing a bigger party, wearing a more fabulous outfit, or trying to snag Ken’s attention, Raquelle is relentless – and the results are always hilarious, because her plans tend to backfire in comical ways. Throughout Life in the Dreamhouse, Raquelle’s personality is over the top in the best way. She’s vain, she’s dramatic, and she delivers some of the funniest lines in the series. In one episode, she stages a runway fashion showdown against Barbie, only to end up falling off the stage (into Ken’s arms, no less) – a classic Raquelle move. In another, she builds an elaborate sandcastle to impress Ken, but Barbie’s simple beach shack accidentally wins the day, leaving Raquelle foiled again. These moments made Raquelle a hugely entertaining character, and even though she was technically the antagonist, viewers couldn’t help but love her. We also get more of Raquelle’s motivation explained: she constantly compares herself to Barbie. In fact, in one episode titled “Trapped in the Dreamhouse,” Raquelle admits that she tries so hard to outdo Barbie because it’s the only way she can feel better about herself. It’s a brief, heartfelt moment that gives depth to all her competitive antics.
The web series also brought Ryan, Raquelle’s twin brother, into animated form, adding a sibling comedy element. Raquelle often ropes Ryan into her plots or finds herself embarrassed by his hopeless crush on Barbie. The brother–sister banter added an extra layer of fun (and yes, Ryan is basically a male version of Raquelle in terms of being loveably egotistical and clueless at times). Raquelle’s look in Life in the Dreamhouse became iconic: she wears a stylish white and black ensemble with a metallic gold jacket, paired with red heels and lots of bling – truly embracing the fashion diva image. This outfit was so recognizable that the Raquelle dolls released in this era copied it exactly. Voice actress Haviland Stillwell gave Raquelle a perfectly snobby-yet-charming voice, making lines like “Booyah!” or her exaggerated “Raq-attack!” moments really memorable to fans. For many Barbie enthusiasts (especially those in their teens around the early 2010s), Life in the Dreamhouse is where Raquelle became a breakout character.
Her exaggerated rivalry with Barbie and the show’s parody-like take on the Barbie world resonated with an older audience as well. Even today, you’ll find plenty of nostalgic internet memes and video compilations of “Raquelle’s best moments” from the series – a testament to how much fun her character was. By the end of the web series, despite never truly defeating Barbie, Raquelle had secured her place as a beloved character in the Barbie franchise. After Life in the Dreamhouse concluded in 2015, Raquelle’s role in new Barbie content largely faded. Subsequent Barbie series and movies introduced new friends and rivals, and Raquelle did not appear in the later Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures series (which featured a different cast).
There was a brief nod to Raquelle in a 2017 web mini-series called Barbie LIVE! in the Dreamhouse, but otherwise she has been on a bit of a hiatus in Barbie media. Still, to the generation that watched her antics online, Raquelle remains unforgettable.
Raquelle Barbie Doll Releases Over the Years
Alongside Raquelle’s appearances on screen, Mattel has released a variety of Raquelle Barbie dolls that capture her character’s evolution. For doll collectors and fans interested in adding Raquelle to their collection, there are many versions to choose from – each reflecting a moment in Raquelle’s history.
2006 – The Barbie Diaries Raquelle Doll: The very first Raquelle doll came out as part of The Barbie Diaries movie merchandise. This doll featured Raquelle in her early look from the film – she had long strawberry-blonde hair, a trendy school outfit (often a plaid skirt and stylish top), and all the teen queen attitude. This release is notable for being the only Raquelle doll with lighter hair; later dolls would change her hair color. Today, the Barbie Diaries Raquelle doll (Stock #H7592) is relatively rare and sought after by collectors who want to own the “origin” version of the character.
2007–2009 – Fashion Fever Raquelle: After the movie, Raquelle joined the Fashion Fever line, a mid-2000s Barbie doll series focused on chic, contemporary fashions. In these years, Raquelle dolls were sold as one of Barbie’s friends in various outfits. She now had her signature black or dark brown hair. Several Fashion Fever waves included Raquelle, dressing her in everything from casual hip looks to glamorous party attire. (One example from a 2007 book playfully calls her “Barbie’s friend who’s not really her friend,” highlighting the frenemy concept on the toy shelf.) These early Raquelle dolls helped establish her as a regular character in the Barbie lineup. If you have a Barbie playset or fashion pack from the late 2000s, you might spot Raquelle in the pamphlets or packaging, showing that kids could expand Barbie’s friend group with her character.
2010–2011 – Movie Tie-In Dolls: With Raquelle’s comeback in A Fashion Fairytale and A Fairy Secret, Mattel also released tie-in dolls. In 2010, a Raquelle doll was released inspired by A Fashion Fairytale, likely featuring a glamorous outfit akin to what she wore in the film (perhaps a stylish party dress since that movie had a fashion show theme). In 2011, the Raquelle A Fairy Secret doll was released (Product #T7358). This doll was unique because it embraced the fairy theme: Raquelle was dressed in a sparkly purple outfit with a tiered skirt, and she came with fairy wings and a silver headband, reflecting her part in the magical adventure. It’s a fun collectible, as it shows Raquelle in a fantasy style rather than her usual fashion city look. Both of these releases showed Raquelle with her darker hair and trademark confident expression.
2012–2015 – Fashionistas and Life in the Dreamhouse Dolls: The early 2010s were a golden era for Raquelle dolls. Mattel’s Barbie Fashionistas line was extremely popular at this time – these dolls were posable, came in themed waves, and featured Barbie and her friends in various fashion trends. Raquelle was a core character in multiple Fashionistas waves. For instance, a 2012 Fashionistas Raquelle (sometimes nicknamed the “Clutch Wave” Raquelle by collectors) was released with a chic ensemble. In 2013, more Raquelle Fashionista dolls came out, including versions in the “Rainbow Wave” sets (with colorful streaks or vibrant accessories). Raquelle’s inclusion in the Fashionistas lineup meant you could find her doll wearing different outfits—ranging from casual clothes to funky party dresses—often with unique accessories. One consistent feature was her face: Raquelle dolls often have a sly half-smile, giving her a distinctive look next to the smiling Barbie, which doll reviewers have noted as a sign of her spunky personality.
That same year also brought the much-anticipated Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse doll collection. Mattel released a special Raquelle doll (SKU #Y7441) as part of this line, complete with two outfits – including the exact black, white, and gold outfit from the web series. This Dreamhouse Raquelle doll was highly detailed, even featuring rooted eyelashes (for extra glamour) and full articulation so she could strike all of Raquelle’s fashionable poses. Collectors loved that she came with both her day-to-day chic outfit and a fancier red-accented dress, capturing Raquelle’s range of style. Mattel also made a “Talking Raquelle” doll (released as Talkin’ Raquelle, SKU #Y7446 in 2013) that could say phrases – a nod to the Life in the Dreamhouse show where Raquelle imagines having a doll of herself that talks. Additionally, a two-pack featuring Raquelle and her friend Summer was released (they came together in one set, SKU #Y7449), likely depicting a fun scenario or theme from the show.
In 2014, Raquelle continued to appear in new doll assortments. Mattel issued versions like Barbie Beach Raquelle (a swimsuit-clad Raquelle ready for summer) and Barbie Glam Luxe Raquelle (dressed in a super fashionable outfit, possibly for a glam night out). There was also a line called Barbie Style around that time, which was more collector-oriented fashion dolls with mix-and-match wardrobes; Raquelle got a doll in that line as well, complete with trendy separates and high-quality details. These dolls kept Raquelle in toy aisles and allowed fans to enjoy different facets of her style – from casual to runway-ready.
By 2015, Raquelle’s last notable doll releases (for the time being) came out. She appeared in the final waves of the Fashionistas line of that era, and another Barbie Style Raquelle doll was released in 2015 with a fresh outfit. After 2015, Barbie’s focus shifted to new characters and the Fashionistas line evolved to feature more diversity and body types, and Raquelle was quietly phased out from new releases. For collectors, this means that if you’re looking for a Raquelle doll today, you’ll likely be hunting for those 2007–2015 dolls on resale markets or in stores that carry older stock.
Raquelle’s Legacy and Nostalgic Appeal
Although Raquelle hasn’t been front and center in recent Barbie storylines, she remains a cherished character from the 2000s and 2010s era. For many in the 16–24 age group (and older) who grew up with Barbie, Raquelle represents a touch of sass and humor that added depth to Barbie’s friend group. Her iconic one-liners, overconfident scheming, and fabulous style in Life in the Dreamhouse are still shared in fan videos and social media posts – a sign that Raquelle made a lasting impression. It’s nostalgic to remember how Raquelle would roll her eyes or deliver a witty retort whenever Barbie seemed too perfect. In a way, Raquelle voiced some of the audience’s own playful envy of “perfect Barbie” while also showing that even the rival can learn and grow.
From a doll-collector standpoint, Raquelle’s dolls serve as fun time capsules of Barbie trends in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Whether it’s the plaid-skirt preppy look of 2006 or the glitzy gold jacket of 2013, each Raquelle doll reflects what was in style for Barbie’s world at that time.
Many young adult collectors today are seeking out Raquelle dolls on secondhand markets – either to reclaim a piece of their childhood or to complete a Barbie friends collection. The fact that Raquelle had relatively fewer dolls compared to Barbie herself makes her dolls a bit more special; owning a Raquelle can feel like you have one of Barbie’s cool, standout friends on your shelf.
Raquelle’s character also paved the way for more complex personalities in Barbie media. She proved that not every friend of Barbie’s has to always agree with her or be bubbly; a rival-like friend can bring storyline opportunities and laughs. In the years since, Barbie content has introduced other nuanced friends and even incorporated more humor (for example, the newer series have characters with distinct quirks). In that sense, Raquelle was a trendsetter for the Barbie brand’s storytelling.
In summary, Raquelle remains a fan favorite because she’s unapologetically herself. She’s vain, determined, and sometimes outrageous – but that’s why we love her. Her presence made Barbie’s world more interesting and relatable (after all, who hasn’t encountered a frenemy or dealt with a competitive pal?). As Barbie continues to evolve with new friends and adventures, the memory of Raquelle – the stylish, competitive, and ultimately loveable frenemy – still brings a smile to those who remember her. And for new fans discovering Barbie’s back catalog of shows and dolls, Raquelle is waiting as a delightful character to meet. Whether you’re re-watching Life in the Dreamhouse clips or hunting for a Raquelle Fashionista doll online, there’s no denying the nostalgic charm that Raquelle brings to the Barbie universe.
She’ll forever be Barbie’s rival in our hearts – and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sources
- Barbie Wiki – Raquelle (character profile and doll release timeline)
- Adventures in Barbie Collecting blog – “A Comprehensive Guide to Raquelle” (character history and evolution)
- Barbie Movies Wiki – Raquelle in The Barbie Diaries (details of Raquelle’s role in 2006 movie)
- Barbie Movies Wiki – Raquelle in A Fashion Fairytale (details from 2010 movie)
- Barbie Movies Wiki – Raquelle in A Fairy Secret (details from 2011 movie)
- Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse Wiki – Raquelle (character description and personality)
- Kelly Kasulis – Tracing the history of “Asian” Barbie (mention of Raquelle’s ethnic portrayal)
- The Toy Box Philosopher – “Life in the Dreamhouse Raquelle – A Guest Review” (doll review, noting Raquelle’s face expression)
- BarbiePedia – Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse Raquelle Doll (2013) (product details of Raquelle’s doll outfit and release date)
