Late Aaliyah's Barbie doll sells out on her 46th birthday

Aaliyah's Barbie doll sold out on what would have been her 46th birthday.

The More Than A Woman singer died in a plane crash in 2001 at the age of 22 and on Thursday (Jan 16), the Mattel company released a version of the iconic doll in her likeness.

Aaliyah's brother Rashad Haughton — who worked on the doll with Mattel — told Forbes: "Throughout the process, obviously, it takes a long time to get everything right and to do samples and to get the sculpts. And it's amazing, but definitely a painstaking process.

"As time went on, we started to realise that, 'You know what, this is going to fall, and the timing is going to be perfect. Let's choose my sister's birthday.'"

The figure was set to be available for one day through the brand's Music Series at a cost of US$55 (S$75) each and was marked at one per customer but was listed as sold out almost immediately after going on sale.

The tragic R&B star had been known by the nickname Babygirl, and in their description of the product, Mattel said: "To celebrate Aaliyah's birthday, Barbie pays homage to the legendary American R&B singer, actress, and model with our latest Music Series doll.

"Aaliyah's smooth vocals and innovative sound helped shape '90s R&B, and her influence on music and fashion continues to be felt today. Our tribute to Babygirl's life and sound will take any collection to the top of the charts."

Aaliyah — who eventually sold 20 to 30 million records worldwide — signed her first record deal at the age of 12 and released Age Ain't Nothing but a Number as her debut album three years later in 1994.

One in a Million followed in 1996, and her eponymous record would become her last when it was released in 2001.

On Aug 25, 2001, Aaliyah had been filming the music video for Rock the Boat in the Bahamas, and when shooting finished early, she and the members of her entourage wanted to return to the US.

The plane that the party was assigned to was smaller than the one they had travelled in, and despite warnings from the pilot that there was too much equipment on board for a "safe flight", the group proceeded with their travel plans anyway.

Aaliyah and the eight others on board — including the pilot — died instantly when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff.

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