Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey Leap into International Women’s Day with Their Very Own Barbies (Exclusive)

Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey are one iconic duo and now they have their very own Barbie dolls together!

The two gymnasts are being honored with figurines for International Women’s Day as a part of Mattel’s initiative commemorating the holiday — and the power of friendship.

Also being honored are Ted Lasso stars Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple, Australian tennis players Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ash Barty, and Brazilian models Paola Antonini and Kelen Ferreira.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Chiles and Carey open up about the partnership while getting real about championing each other and the women in their lives.

Carey, 24, says she was “shocked” when she found out she was going to be a part of the empowering collaboration. “That's just a little kid's dream come true,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Jordan and I have definitely experienced what can come from our friendship and how much easier a journey can be together. So, I'm just really honored to be a part of this day with Barbie.”

The campaign is also a full-circle moment for Chiles, 23, as she recalls playing with Barbies “all the time” when she was younger. “Especially on International Women's Day, it just means so many things. Being African-American and having this opportunity to show the younger generation what it's like not only to have friendships, [but to embrace] the ability to really put your mind to anything,” she says.

Each of their dolls is dressed in outfits inspired by their past performance looks. Carey’s sports an emerald green bedazzled unitard and Chiles’ wears a colorful patterned design from the Beyoncé-inspired ensemble the athlete wore to compete in the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships. 

Related: Helen Mirren, Kylie Minogue and More Role Models Get Barbies for International Women's Day (Exclusive)

When asked how they celebrate International Women's Day (March 8), Chiles and Carey say they have their own ways of showering their loved ones with support, love — and even flowers.

“I'm a gift giver. I'm a girl's girl, so anytime that I feel like somebody needs flowers, I'm going to give them. It just makes me feel like I brought light into their day,” says Chiles. Adds Carey: “I always give off that I am willing to lend a helping hand and have people know that I'm there for them."

Related: Do These Barbie Dolls Actually Look Like the Stars They're Supposed to Resemble? You Decide

The two also look forward to championing women in sports on International Women’s Day and beyond. “It's something that we work on even on our team here at Oregon State,” says Carey, who competes with her university. “... Celebrating every little thing and each other. Me and Jordan have really been able to do that together in our time being friends and teammates.”

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Chiles and Carey competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics, where, alongside Simone Biles, Suni Lee and Hezly Rivera, they came out victorious in the Women’s Team Final, driving Team USA to its fourth gold medal in the event.

They also reached personal milestones — but those did not come without tribulation. While competing in Paris, Carey, who won bronze in the women’s vault final, pushed through sickness in the lead-up to her performance, while Chiles’ first ever solo prize, a bronze medal in the floor final, was stripped amid rank controversy involving Romanian gymnasts and Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea.

Carey admits that there was a lot of uncertainty going into the games. “It came with a lot of hard days, but knowing that we were in it together and on the same journey made it a lot easier,” she says, adding that their “biggest goal” was to have fun throughout the entire journey.

“The best times that we had were probably just all of us in our apartment,” adds Chiles of how the team bonded outside of competitions and training.

“The dining halls were amazing because that would be the time where we're all like, okay, what are we eating this time? We'd be like, okay, so I guess it's pizza night or should we eat hamburgers?,” she continues, highlighting their team trips to the grocery store and their obsession over the viral Olympic Village chocolate muffins.

Related: Mattel Introduces Its First Blind Barbie to Further Inclusivity in Dolls: 'Great for Our Community' (Exclusive)

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Whether it’s through their record-breaking stats and talent or their camaraderie, Chiles and Carey are true role models for what it means to stand for what you love, while also caring for others, and they look forward to inspiring their young fans alongside Mattel.

“Knowing that little girls can look at that doll and be like, you know what? If she can do it, I can do it — that's always my favorite thing to say,” says Chiles, who often applies the motto to her own life.

“I hope that they get to feel inspired and feel encouraged to continue their dreams and strive for something greater. Because at the end of the day, it's their story, it's their chapters and they get to write them the way that they want to,” she says, emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with a great support system to remind you that “you're always going to be that girl.”

Echoes Carey: “Finding your inner circle is really special and you're always going to have those people to really lift you up.” She adds: “[It's about] encouraging every little girl to be proud of who they are and celebrating every little win in life.”

Read the original article on People