New American Girl Doll is a Dancer
January 3, 2014

Isabelle Palmer, the Girl of the Year doll from American Girl

Ballet-mania may be relatively new to pop culture, but little girls started the tutu-loving trend years ago. American Girl fans were extra excited, therefore, to meet Isabelle Palmer, an aspiring ballerina and costume designer and the company’s 2014 Girl of the Year.

“Good Morning America” hosted the doll’s big reveal on New Year’s Eve, with the help of students from Ballet School NY, the training academy of New York Theatre Ballet. Led by artistic director Diana Byer (DT June 2012), students also appeared at a three-day celebration of the doll’s debut at the American Girl Place in Manhattan, offering dance demonstrations and free mini classes to the public.

The American Girl company describes Isabelle as “an inspired dancer who discovers her own way to shine.” The limited edition doll is supposed to teach young girls about overcoming obstacles and becoming “the best you.” A book series chronicles her story, and a DVD will be released this summer.