American Girl, a cornerstone in Mattel’s (NASDAQ: MAT) portfolio of purposeful brands, unveils its 2024 Girl of the Year, Lila Monetti. Lila™ joins the brand’s long line of contemporary characters that represent a wide range of backgrounds and interests to reflect what it means to be an American girl today. Growing up in the Twin Cities, MN, ten-year-old Lila is a skilled athlete who’s learning how to take on new challenges, including moving up to a competitive gymnastics team, balancing her friendships, and exploring new hobbies. During her first visit to a nearby riding camp, Lila befriends their newest horse, a Palomino named Hollyhock™, and discovers new ways to build her skills and confidence at the gym, while also helping Hollyhock find her footing at the stable.
“We know our fans will flip for our newest Girl of the Year, Lila Monetti, who arrives just in time for the holidays,” says Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “As with all our beloved characters, Lila will inspire kids to face new challenges with purpose and positivity and find the joy and strength that comes from unexpected friendships.”
American Girl worked with bestselling author Erin Falligant to create Lila’s story, which is told in both an illustrated journal that comes with the doll, as well as a separate full-length novel, Lila Goes for Gold, that hits bookshelves in January 2024. “I loved writing about Lila’s world of gymnastics and horseback riding and had a blast reintroducing fans to another famous American Girl—Lila’s gymnastics coach, McKenna Brooks, who also happened to be the 2012 Girl of the Year,” says Falligant. “Through Lila, I hope readers find a friend to relate to and learn from as they face their own everyday challenges.”
The 2024 Girl of the Year comes to life in a beautiful 18-inch Lila™ doll, featuring an exclusive look with amber eyes and caramel-colored hair styled in two half ponytails. Adorned in plenty of sparkle and shine, the Lila doll comes dressed in a glittery pink tank and track pants, plus colorful sandals, bracelets, and hairbands that perfectly match her accessories—like a cool crossbody bag, frameless sunglasses, and colorful hair accessories with styling tips.
To play out her love of horseback riding, Lila’s product world includes her four-legged friend Hollyhock™— a Palamino with a detailed saddle and bridle and numerous accessories to style her extra-long mane. There’s also a 20-piece Honeycrisp Hill Horse Stable, with grooming stall and washing station, as well as an adorable plush of the camp’s energetic corgi, Mighty Mae™.
For gymnastics fans, the new collection also features several realistic accessories, such as a doll-sized balance beam, uneven bars, and gym gear to bring the full experience to life. In addition, American Girl partnered with GK Elite, the world’s leading brand of gymnastics apparel for over 40 years, to create Lila’s on-trend practice and competition outfits, both featuring the authentic GK Elite logo. The company also created two Lila-inspired leotards for girls that match the doll-sized version, available exclusively at both gkelite.com and americangirl.com.
To celebrate Lila and further American Girl’s longstanding commitment to literacy and building strong readers, the brand is donating $25,000 in retail value of Girl of the Year books to Save the Children’s U.S. Literacy Program. Working with local schools and other organizations, Save the Children has provided early education to millions of children in underserved areas across the U.S. over the years.
Fans can further explore Lila’s new world through the following activities:
- Visit American Girl retail to explore Lila’s product collection and enjoy Lila-inspired activities and experiences, including salon styles for girls and dolls, Hollyhock™ Pet Pampering, Lila-themed menu items in the Cafe, and more
- Tour Lila’s room later this month and explore all the AG characters at the free Virtual Museum
- Read about Why Lila Matters, including a Q&A with author Erin Falligant
The new Girl of the Year line is available October 4, 2023, at americangirl.com and American Girl retail stores nationwide.
Photographer Jeremy Lloyd
