HGTV is tapping into the zeitgeist of Mattel’s Barbie in its new competition series, Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge, set to premiere on HGTV this summer.
Home design and renovation experts will be tasked with transforming a full-size home into a fantastical Barbie Dreamhouse.
Inspired by the singular, enduring popularity of the global icon herself and by the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of the Warner Bros. Pictures film, Barbie, HGTV is harnessing the power of its corporate siblings to produce four nostalgia-filled episodes of Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge and execute Barbie-themed cross-network content and promotions.
Punctuated by celebrity guests, pop culture history and a plethora of Barbie surprises, Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge will be hosted by supermodel, designer, author and entrepreneur Ashley Graham and feature eight teams of HGTV superstars as they transform a Southern California home into a real-life Barbie Dreamhouse. At the end, one passionate Barbie fan will get the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime stay in a ‘home created for dreamers’.
“By aligning two admired brands – HGTV and Mattel’s Barbie – and mobilising the power of the best-in-class portfolio of Warner Bros. Discovery, Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge will deliver a unique, visually stunning payoff for millions of fans who want to see their favourite HGTV stars bring a treasured childhood icon to life,” said Loren Ruch, head of Content, HGTV.
Ashley Graham added: “I cannot wait to see Barbie’s signature style get the life-sized treatment in an actual home. She holds such a special place in my heart, especially since Mattel created a one-of-a-kind doll of me back in 2016. It feels like such a full circle moment now that I have a hand in the creation of her real-life Dreamhouse.”
During the series, 15 talented HGTV home design and renovation experts and one celebrated Food Network chef will participate in the creation of Barbie’s Dreamhouse, including: Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson (Married to Real Estate); Jasmine Roth (Help! I Wrecked My House) and Antonia Lofaso (Beachside Brawl); Ty Pennington (Rock the Block) and Alison Victoria (Windy City Rehab); Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin (Farmhouse Fixer); Christina Hall and James Bender (Christina on the Coast); Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas (Bargain Block); Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt (100 Day Dream Home); and Michel Smith Boyd and Anthony Elle Williams (Luxe for Less).
Teams will overhaul areas of the home with an era-specific style, such as an early 1960s atomic age kitchen, a ‘70s disco vibe for Ken’s Den and a main bedroom decked out in ‘80s glam.
Additionally, Food Network will integrate Barbie-inspired elements into Summer Baking Championship and Beachside Brawl. Many of WBD’s social media platforms will offer exclusive, behind-the-scenes content linked to Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge. The series and upcoming Barbie film will also receive a multi-page editorial profile in HGTV Magazine, further elevating it among more than 8m readers.
For the latest announcements on Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge, fans are invited to stay connected across HGTV’s digital platforms at HGTV.com and via @HGTV on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok using the hashtag #BarbieDreamHouseChallenge.
Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge is produced by Mission Control and Mattel Television.
