Oh I love when a company I adore partners with just the right celeb for a project. American Girl, a company I very much admire for their “in store” experience and the positive messages they promote for young girls, has teamed up with Harry Connick Jr. and his daughter Kate with the launch of their 2 new historical dolls.
For the first time in American Girl’s 25-year history, the company is introducing two different historical characters, Cécile Rey™ and Marie-Grace Gardner™, in one six-book series set in 1850s New Orleans. The new characters—one African American and one Caucasian—show the power of friendship and community as they reach across the boundaries of race and class to help their families, friends, and city during a time of great need. To celebrate Cécile and Marie-Grace’s debut and the rich musical tradition of New Orleans, American Girl has partnered with 13-year-old Kate Connick and her father, world-renowned musician and actor Harry Connick, Jr., to create an original song—“A Lot Like Me”—with all proceeds benefiting the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in New Orleans.
The new dolls are as gorgeous as you would expect of any new American Girl collection. These dolls are extra appealing as their “historical dolls” from 1853 New Orleans. What a rich time in history from a special place with such diverse cultures colliding at once from French to American – both Northerners and Southerners as this is pre-civil war.
Take a peek at Marie Grace and Cecile. Aren’t they lovely? Kenzie’s fave part is definitely the books and stories – although she loves the fancy dresses too. We are excited to dive into these stories and we’re very excited that 6 books – 3 for each doll – are already available for sale.
We spoke with Harry and Kate on Friday to hear their thoughts and they were as sweet and down to earth – and yes Harry sounded very sexy on the phone as expected 🙂
I asked Harry the following and really liked his answer. Shows just how down to earth he is!
Q: How do you stay grounded as a family?
Harry: The question is really how do I stay grounded as an artist. He felt that family was the most important thing to him.
Harry felt that instead he needed to remind himself to continue to focus on work and find time for work and that the family party is easy for him as he is so blessed with a beautiful wife and healthy children.
Take a peek at our video of the dolls here. And yes Mom is super excited about this new collection! I think I’m living vicariously through Mackenzie and I’m totally into this stuff.
Disclsoure: Thanks to American Girl for arranging our chat with Harry Connick Jr. and for providing us with these dolls to facilitate our review.
Oh, how lucky are you to get these two cuties already! I think their stories are going to be very popular and I can’t wait to see their entire collection up close.
What a lucky duch! We love our American Girl dolls here too. Every October we head to the NYC store so Zoe can spend her AG birthday gift cards that everybody gives her. These dolls are precious and I love their story. Can’t wait to check them out. Thanks for sharing!
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