Serena Williams has given her daughter Olympia’s doll, Qai Qai, a fast lane pass to becoming “a real girl”. The tennis legend has tapped sixteen-year-old Taikirha Miller to voice Qai Qai.
“Everyone needs to find their voice, and I’m happy Qai Qai found hers in Taikirha,” the 40-year-old mother told People Magazine in a statement. “Qai Qai has built a massive community on Instagram and TikTok, and I think her loyal fans will love getting to know her on a deeper level.”
The talented athlete continued, “Now that she’s found her voice, the possibilities for the franchise are endless.”
And of course, Miller is beyond excited to embark upon this once-in-a-lifetime project.
“I found out about [it] two weeks ago when I had just got off the stage from a national pageant. I was doing casual wear, and I went to find my mom in the lobby, and she was like, ‘Good job, Qai Qai.’ And she said it so suddenly, and I wasn’t sure what she was talking about. And then it clicked in my head, and I got really excited and started screaming in the lobby,” Taikirha recalled in a recent interview getting the news that she had been chosen to voice Qai Qai.
Williams has partnered with, Invisible Universe, an internet-first animation studio, to truly transform Qai Qai into everyone’s favorite little girl as she is headed to star in her own series.
Miller felt as if it were meant to be because she is not only a fan of the doll, but she also feels like she and the Qai Qai character have a lot in common.
“I knew how she acts and how she is. We are very similar, so it was easy for me to be able to portray her… I want them to be able to hear her personality and be able to watch her and laugh and smile and be happy,” Miller said. “I want them to feel empowered because she’s an empowering character. She has a lot of representation. She represents confidence and poise and being yourself. So I want people to be able to have all of that and take that away from Qai.”
Qai Qai is already a best selling doll on Amazon and has also been featured in a coloring book. Additionally, she has her own Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channel. However, what you may not know is that Qai Qai is getting her own book soon! The Adventures of Qai Qai by Serena Williams is set to release on September 27. The story, will of course, follow “Baby Girl” and her friend Qai Qai as they show readers the power of believing―in your best friend and in yourself.
Congratulations to both Taikirha and Serena on the next chapter in the adventures of Qai Qai!
Instagram Photo Credit: Taikirha Miller; Real Qai Qai
