Diva Starz
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2010) |
| Type | Doll |
|---|---|
| Company | Mattel |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | 2000–2004 |
| Slogan | We know what's up! (2000-2002) We know what's stylin'! (2002-2004) |
| Official website | |
Diva Starz was a series of talking fashion dolls created and released by Mattel in October 2000.[1] They are similar in design to MGA's Bratz and Tiger Electronics' Furby. Alexa, Nikki, Summer—later replaced by Miranda—and Tia were offered in the original debut.[2] Originally produced as robotic dolls, Mattel would also release miniature and fashion doll versions in response to their initial success. The line was discontinued in 2004.
History
Each doll is approximately 9 inches (23 cm) tall, with plastic clothing and combable hair. The owner can change the doll's outfits by snapping on different pieces of clothing. By using small metal contacts in the clothing and on the body, the doll "knows" which outfit it is wearing, and will respond accordingly. Alexa, for example, replies with statements like "You have a great sense of style. I love my pink evening gown. Do you think it makes my eyes look bluer?" The dolls were also made to talk to each other and have conversations.
After the huge success of the original dolls, Mattel released the Diva Starz Fashion Dolls in 2002. While generally identical to the original line, these dolls have clothing made of fabric, and were thinner and had more accurate proportions. Also, the dolls will speak recorded phrases when a button on the top of their heads is pushed. This collection of dolls did not include the Summer doll, but instead introduced the Miranda doll.
With the introduction of the fashion doll, the robotic dolls fell drastically in popularity, and Mattel discontinued them. After a few successful seasons with the robotic dolls, they began to drop in popularity. In the end, Diva Starz soon became discontinued altogether in 2004, and Mattel went on to improving Barbie dolls and creating My Scene and Flavas dolls. The Diva Starz line was placed into two video games, Diva Starz and Diva Starz: Mall Mania.
Characters
Alexa (Alexia in Latin America) is an all-out fashionista and natural leader with fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. She also identified herself as "your personal expert on style". She also kept a diary, where she stored her deepest and darkest secrets. Her representation color was pink, which was also her favorite color. She had a pet cat named Fluffy. Alexa is voiced by Debi Derryberry.
Nikki (Paige or Flo in parts of Europe) is a Latina, with tanned skin, brown hair, and light violet eyes. She's an athletic yet optimistic girl "who'd enjoy skateboarding and many other sports." Besides the skateboard she kept, she also owned other sports gear and merchandise. Her representation color was purple, which was also her favorite color. She had a pet dog named Budster (nicknamed "Buddy"). Nikki is voiced by Joanna Rubiner.
Summer (Rosy in Latin America) is a model citizen with pale skin, red hair, and green eyes who "loved the outdoors so much that she'd bring it inside." She was an animal lover and a compassionate environmentalist. She owned many pets, including a pet rabbit named Sunny. Her representation color was green, which was also her favorite color. She was dropped from the line in 2002 and was eventually replaced by Miranda. Summer is voiced by Amber Hood.
Tia is a "hip-cool chick and a techno whiz" with dark skin, dark brown hair, and brown eyes. She was intelligent and inventive and enjoyed making music. She also loved electronics, such as radios, CD players, and digital planners. Her representation color was blue, which was also her favorite color. She had a pet dog named Hippy (short for "Hipster"). Tia was voiced by MC Lyte (2000-02) and later, by Cree Summer (2003).
Miranda is a properly rich girl with pale skin, platinum blonde hair with pink highlights, and green eyes who "loves all her new friends." She is artistic and humorous, with dreams of becoming a pop star. She had also published a fashion magazine. She was introduced in the 2nd wave of "Mini Diva Starz" in 2002, where she ultimately took Summer's place. Her representation color was undefined, but the website showed a green star with her name on it. She is the only character who does not own a pet. Miranda is voiced by Tara Strong.
Product list
Original Dolls
2000
- "Wave 1": Alexa, Nikki, Summer and Tia.
2001
- "Wave 2": Alexa, Nikki, Summer and Tia.
Mini Diva Starz
2001
- "Mini Diva Starz" (1st Edition): Alexa, Nikki, Summer and Tia.
2002
- "Mini Diva Starz" (2nd Edition): Alexa, Nikki, Tia and Miranda (first appearance).
- "Mini Diva Starz" (3rd Edition, Target Exclusive): Alexa, Nikki and Summer (last appearance).
Fashion Diva Starz
2002
- "Fashion Diva Starz" (1st Edition): Alexa, Nikki, Tia and Miranda.
- "Fashion Glow": Alexa, Nikki, Tia and Miranda.
2003
- "Glitter 2 Glam": Alexa, Nikki, Tia and Miranda.
Plush Dolls
2001
- "Wave 1": Alexa, Nikki, Summer and Tia.
- "Wave 2": Alexa, Nikki and Summer.
Diva Petz
2001
- "Diva Petz": Fluffy Starz, Budster Starz, Sunny Starz and Hippy Starz
- "Interactive Diva Petz": Fluffy Starz and Budster Starz.
Fashionz
2000
- "Fashionz" (1st Edition): Alexa, Nikki, Summer and Tia.
2001
- "Fashionz" (2nd Edition): Alexa, Nikki, Summer and Tia.
2002
- "Fashion Diva Starz Fashionz": 56733, 56734, 56735 and 56736.
- "Fashion Glow Fashionz": B1341, B1342, B1343 and B1344.
2003
- "Glitter 2 Glam Fashionz": B3015 and B3016.
Playsets
2001
- "Mini Diva Starz (1st Edition)":
- "Scooter-iffic" (Pink)
- "Scooter-iffic" (Purple)
- "Scooter-iffic" (Green)
2002
- "Mini Diva Starz (2nd Edition)":
- "Diva Cruiser"
Keychains
2002
- "Keychains": Alexa, Nikki, Summer and Tia.
Video Games
2000
- "Diva Starz" (PC)
2001
References
- ^ Sybil E. Hatch (January 1, 2006). Changing Our World: True Stories of Women Engineers. ASCE Publications. pp. 106–. ISBN 978-0-7844-0835-3. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
- ^ Frederick J. Augustyn (2004). Dictionary of Toys and Games in American Popular Culture. Haworth Reference Press. pp. 37–. ISBN 978-0-7890-1504-4. Retrieved August 6, 2013.