My daughter loves the thrill and excitement of getting up on stage and performing in front of a bunch of people. She loves seeing all of those smiling faces cheering for her in the audience. Our family is always there to support her at every one of her school plays, but her biggest fan isn’t me or her father…it’s herself!

I know, it may sound a little strange, but the truth is, she couldn’t do what she does without first believing in herself. As much as it helps her to have the support of her friends and family, she wouldn’t even dare to dream such big dreams if she didn’t believe that she had the talent and the ability to make them come true. 

That’s one of the reasons that she loves her S.I.S™ by Barbie® Chandra® doll (and so do I!). Just like Chandra™, my little girl has hopes of having her name in lights, and she knows that as long as she works hard and stays confident, no one can stop her from being a star.

Of course, she still gets a little stage fright from time to time, and there are always going to be other people who try to stomp on her dreams by telling her that she’s not going to make it. But she won’t let a few butterflies get in the way of her future. In fact, there’s not much that can get in her way.

You don’t have to be a superstar to shine, though. Every girl has something special inside to offer the world; something that makes her stand out. Sometimes, it may be hard to find, and it may take a while; but the key is, knowing that it’s there.

My daughter didn’t always know that she wanted to be an actress, but what we taught her from the start was that she has greatness. No matter what she decides to do in life – whether it’s acting, singing, teaching, or anything else — in order for other people to see how unique and talented she truly is, she has to see it herself. When you own your “shine,” no one can take it away from you.

Here’s a special message for the girls in your life: Just remember that like a star, each and every one of us is different and special in our own way. And just like them, our beauty was meant to be seen. So whatever our dreams are, it’s important to keep believing in ourselves, to keep working hard, and — like Chandra™ — always keep shining!

Tweet or Retweet: “I want a #SISBarbie from @Mattel and @MommyNoire” for a chance to win a pack of your own S.I.S. Barbie!

Learn more about So In Style by Barbie

Barbie® So in Style™ (S.I.S™) is a line of five African American-inspired Barbie dolls created to offer African American girls the opportunity to play with dolls they can see as a reflection of themselves. Barbie So In Style is more than just a doll – she’s a mentor and a big sister. She’s also a source of inspiration for African American girls, encouraging them to dream big and not be afraid to have high standards and expectations. ©2012 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.