Latest news with #RaggedyAnn
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The creepy history of the real Annabelle doll as handler Dan Rivera dies aged 54
The paranormal investigator was on tour with the 'possessed' doll that has a terrifying history. Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera died suddenly on July 13 while on tour with a 'possessed' doll that inspired horror movies The Conjuring and Annabelle. The New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) announced the US Army veteran's death on Facebook. The organisation said: "It's with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera. We are heartbroken and still processing this loss. Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. "His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time." The cause of the paranormal professional's death has not yet been revealed. His tour, named 'Devils On The Run', had gone viral due to its inclusion of the original Annabelle doll. But as the 54-year-old's tragic death makes headlines, questions are being raised on the true story of the 'haunted' doll that he was travelling with. Here is the true story of Annabelle. The haunted history of the real Annabelle doll The first owners of Annabelle While the Conjuring and Anabelle films featured a terrifying china doll, the inspiration for the horror movies was a Raggedy Ann doll- a popular children's toy from the 1970s that had been first released back in 1915. Before the doll was made famous by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who feature in The Conjuring movie, Annabelle was owned by a student nurse named Donna in 1970, according to website Haunted Rooms. The story goes that the doll was bought by Donna's mother for her birthday from a second-hand shop. But the student quickly noticed that things weren't right with the Raggedy Ann doll, who appeared to move around the house of her own accord. When left on the bed, for example, she would be found later on the sofa or the floor, leading Donna and her roommate Angie to believe she was possessed. After a series of creepy notes that reportedly said 'help us', and 'help Lou', who was the girls' male friend, the doll was eventually found with what appeared to be real blood on her hands. The real 'spirit' of Annabelle After the terrifying turn of events, a medium sat down with Angie and Donna. The psychic told the girls that their building was constructed on a field where a seven-year-old girl had died years before. Allegedly, the girl's spirit was fond of the toy and her ghost merged with the Raggedy Ann, becoming the haunted Annabelle doll. Donna and Angie took pity on the girl and decided to keep the doll so she wouldn't be left alone. Annabelle's first 'attack' The girls' male friend Lou was the first to be 'attacked' by the haunted doll. He entered the room where Annabelle was left after hearing something moving around. The doll had moved from the bed to being sat upright on a chair in the centre of the room, and as Lou moved towards her, he felt a sharp pain across his chest. He soon realised that his chest was covered in claw marks, and he saw no other explanation other than he'd been attacked by the haunted toy. This was when the famous Warrens were called in. The Warrens A priest and the pair of renowned paranormal investigators exorcised Donna's flat, and they allegedly discovered that the doll had been trying to possess the student nurse. Ed and Lorraine took Annabelle away, though their car reportedly faced an array of problems on the road as they set out to lock up the possessed doll. Ed even suffered a severe car crash after provoking Annabelle, though he survived. The story says she was even seen levitating in the air in the Warrens' home. While they failed to rid the doll of the spirit, the ghost hunters managed to lock her in a glass case, where she was kept in the Warrens' Occult Museum in Connecticut until its closure. She is now on the Devils On The Run tour, but after Dan Rivera's death, it has not been announced whether the tour will continue. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
India.com
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
From Barbie To Labubu: 10 Dolls Obsession That Broke The Internet
photoDetails english 2924932 Updated:Jul 01, 2025, 04:45 PM IST 1 / 12 Dolls have long been more than just playthings — they are cultural reflections of the times, often representing fashion trends, social values, and evolving ideals of beauty and identity. From classic cloth dolls to modern collectible figures, the world of dolls has continuously reinvented itself for new generations. Here's a look at 10 of the most popular and iconic dolls through the years, from Barbie to Labubu. Barbie – The Ultimate Fashion Icon 2 / 12 Barbie, introduced by Mattel in 1959, forever changed the doll industry. She wasn't just a toy; she was a role model. With over 200 careers — including astronaut, president, and doctor — Barbie has evolved with society, embracing diversity and inclusivity with new body types, skin tones, and hair textures. Her enduring popularity proves she's more than a fashion doll — she's a cultural phenomenon. American Girl Doll – History Meets Heart 3 / 12 Launched in 1986 by Pleasant Company (now owned by Mattel), American Girl dolls are known for their deep storytelling and educational value. Each doll represents a specific historical period or modern-day theme, paired with a series of books. Characters like Felicity, Addy, and Kaya have taught kids about courage, kindness, and resilience through meaningful narratives. Cabbage Patch Kids – The Adoption Craze 4 / 12 With their chubby cheeks, yarn hair, and unique names, Cabbage Patch Kids took the 1980s by storm. Marketed as adoptable children, each doll came with its own birth certificate and adoption papers. The frenzy over these dolls created one of the biggest toy crazes in history, making them nostalgic icons for millions. Bratz – Bold, Fashion-Forward Rebels 5 / 12 Bratz dolls arrived with a modern and edgy vibe that stood in contrast to Barbie's classic style. With oversized eyes, full lips, and ultra-trendy outfits, characters like Yasmin, Sasha, Jade, and Cloe represented a diverse, confident generation. Bratz influenced fashion, music, and media with their unapologetic self-expression. Raggedy Ann – A Classic American Favourite 6 / 12 Created by author Johnny Gruelle, Raggedy Ann is one of the oldest and most beloved cloth dolls in America. With her red yarn hair and simple stitched smile, Raggedy Ann (and later, Raggedy Andy) became symbols of innocence and comfort. These handmade-looking dolls have appeared in books, cartoons, and homes for over a century. Troll Dolls – From Lucky Charms to Pop Culture Icons 7 / 12 First created in Denmark in the late 1950s, Troll Dolls gained popularity in the 1960s and had several revivals — most recently thanks to the Trolls movies. Known for their colorful, spiky hair and wide eyes, they've been loved both as good-luck charms and quirky collectibles across generations. Blythe – The Doll with the Big Eyes 8 / 12 Blythe dolls were a flop when first released in 1972, but their unique design — oversized heads and changing eye colours — gained cult status when they were reintroduced in 2001. Now a favorite among collectors, artists, and fashion enthusiasts, Blythe dolls are often customized and styled in artistic photoshoots and exhibitions. Monster High – Where Horror Meets High School 9 / 12 Monster High brought a fresh concept to the doll world by blending fashion with fantasy. Characters like Draculaura, Frankie Stein, and Clawdeen Wolf are the children of famous monsters, attending high school together. With gothic glam, edgy fashion, and strong messages about embracing uniqueness, Monster High gained a loyal fan base among tweens and collectors alike. L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls – The Unboxing Sensation 10 / 12 L.O.L. Surprise! dolls sparked a new trend in the toy industry: the joy of unboxing. These tiny dolls come hidden inside layers of packaging, each revealing accessories, clothes, and clues. Their collectible nature, bright styles, and social media-friendly format made them a huge hit with younger kids — and a viral sensation online. Labubu Dolls – The Art Toy Favourite 11 / 12 Labubu, a mischievous little creature from the world of The Monsters by artist Kasing Lung, is the star of Pop Mart's blind-box collectibles. Known for its quirky smile, large ears, and dreamy vibes, Labubu has quickly become a collector's favorite — especially among teens and adults drawn to designer toys and the intersection of art and play. 12 / 12 From soft cloth companions to edgy collectibles, dolls have reflected societal shifts, creative trends, and personal identity across decades. Whether you grew up with Raggedy Ann or recently unboxed a Labubu, these 10 dolls have left a lasting impression on playrooms and pop culture alike. Each doll tells a story — of childhood dreams, evolving beauty standards, or artistic expression. And as long as people continue to imagine and create, the world of dolls will keep evolving, too.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Haunted Annabelle doll to blame for LA fire and jailbreak?
A supposedly haunted Raggedy Ann doll named Annabelle, the real-life inspiration for The Conjuring, recently toured New Orleans under heavy security. The day after her visit, a historic plantation burned down — and the day after that, 10 inmates escaped from a city jail. There's no evidence linking the events, but the internet is running wild. Her caretakers insist Annabelle was never out of control and is now safely back in her museum. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Mint
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
What is the Annabelle doll and why does it terrify people? The story behind the ‘haunted' icon of horror
This week, the internet went into meltdown after rumours began circulating that the infamous 'Annabelle' doll — said to be haunted — had vanished. The panic kicked off after people linked the doll's supposed disappearance to a fire at the historic Nottoway Resort in Louisiana. The doll was believed to have been part of a travelling paranormal exhibit at the time. Social media was quickly flooded with memes, conspiracy theories, and horror-filled speculation. But it didn't take long for those rumours to be shut down. Officials connected to the now-closed Warren Occult Museum in Connecticut — where the real Annabelle doll has been kept since the 1970s — confirmed that the doll is safe and hasn't gone anywhere. Annabelle isn't your average childhood toy. The original is a Raggedy Ann doll that was given to a student nurse in 1970. According to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the doll started acting strangely, which led them to believe it was possessed. A psychic told the owners it was the spirit of a girl named Annabelle — but the Warrens later said it was something far more sinister. Eventually, the Warrens took the doll and locked it in a glass case inside their Occult Museum. It stayed there until the museum was shut down due to zoning issues. Annabelle became world-famous after being featured in The Conjuring film universe. In the movies, she's shown as a creepy porcelain doll, much scarier-looking than the real thing — a change made by filmmakers to increase the fear factor. Still, the real Raggedy Ann version has kept its creepy reputation, especially among fans of the paranormal. Whether people believe the story or not, the doll has become a mix of folklore, horror movie icon, and internet obsession. The scare this week seems to have started when news of the resort fire hit social media at the same time the Annabelle doll was said to be on tour. It didn't take long for people to connect the dots — or jump to conclusions. Theories about the doll escaping or causing chaos took over TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), with reactions ranging from jokes to actual prayers and even mock exorcisms. Despite all the drama, the doll is right where it's supposed to be. Dan Rivera from the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) posted a video from inside the Warren Occult Museum, showing Annabelle safe inside her glass case. 'Some wild and crazy internet rumours this morning claiming that we lost Annabelle,' one user wrote alongside the video. 'She/it is NOT lost — and here's Dan Rivera from NESPR proving she's still at home in Connecticut… for now. And no, she's not in Chicago.' Even though the story was debunked, it's clear that the legend of Annabelle is still very much alive — and it doesn't look like that fear is going anywhere anytime soon.
Tatler Asia
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
From Barbie to Labubu: a history of iconic collectable dolls that shaped generations
2. Raggedy Ann Above Raggedy Ann (Photo: Prisencolinensinainciusol / Wikimedia Commons) Created by Johnny Gruelle, Raggedy Ann was less about fashion and more about values. Barbie wasn't the first feminist doll icon, after all. Raggedy Ann promoted kindness, loyalty and resilience. She debuted in 1915 and came with her own series of wholesome, sometimes gently preachy books. Her popularity endured for nearly a century thanks to her unthreatening design and 'let's talk about our feelings' energy. While they don't command toy shelves anymore, Raggedy Ann's impact is still hand-stitched into the fabric of American nostalgia. 3. Barbie (1959) Above Barbie is probably the most famous of all iconic collectable dolls. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) Barbie has been a teenage fashion model, a surgeon, an astronaut and President. She's worn plastic heels and cultural expectations in equal measure. Since 1959, she's embodied both empowerment and controversy—a dream girl and a feminist battlefield in six-inch platforms. She's still selling faster than you can say 'Dreamhouse', thanks to that Greta Gerwig film. 4. Trolls (1959) Above Trolls (Photo: Meg Jenson / Unsplash) Originally carved by a Danish woodcutter as a lucky charm, Troll dolls exploded into global fame in the 1960s and again in the '90s. They had a kind of kitschy renaissance with neon hair and jewel belly buttons. Equal parts adorable and creepy, these stubby-limbed creatures captured hearts with their chaotic charm and 'so-ugly-it's-cute' energy. Today, they're back with a glitter-soaked vengeance thanks to DreamWorks' musical franchise, but vintage collectors still seek the classic, beady-eyed originals with hair like a windstorm in Ibiza. 5. Blythe Dolls (1972) Above Blythe Dolls (Photo: Kathy B / Wikimedia Commons) Launched in 1972 and relaunched in the 2000s, Blythe dolls were initially considered too weird. They have oversized heads, colour-changing eyes and an eerie stare, but the art and fashion world fell hard for these iconic collectable dolls. These days, they're styled like miniature Vogue editorials and sold for thousands. Think of them as the Anna Wintour of dolls—intimidating but iconic. 6. Cabbage Patch Kids (1982) Before there were TikTok drops and sneaker raffles, there were toy store stampedes for Cabbage Patch Kids. Debuting in the early 1980s with their soft cloth bodies, pudgy faces and adoption certificates, these iconic collectable dolls ignited an unmatched consumer craze. Every child wanted their own oddly adorable baby with a unique name and birth story. Part wholesome, part headline-making mania, Cabbage Patch Kids weren't just a toy; they were a social phenomenon. 7. American Girl Dolls (1986) These 18-inch iconic collectable dolls brought context to the playroom. With detailed historical backstories and accessory sets that cost more than your rent, American Girl Dolls taught kids about abolition, immigration, war and suffrage, one embroidered bonnet at a time. They're now as beloved by grown women on eBay as they once were by nine-year-olds in prairie dresses. 8. Bratz (2001) Bratz dolls burst onto the scene in the early 2000s like a glitter bomb with attitude—huge heads, heavy makeup and a wardrobe straight off a Y2K music video. They were the antithesis of Barbie: unapologetically edgy, ethnically diverse and dressed for the club at age 13. Bratz threw traditional beauty out the window and replaced it with street style and smudged eyeliner. Though these iconic collectable dolls were accused of being 'bad influences', they're now embraced by fashion kids and drag queens alike. 9. Sonny Angel (2005) If Kewpie had a trendy Gen Z nibling, it'd be Sonny Angel. These tiny, wide-eyed baby boys wear nothing but elaborate headgear: strawberries, hamburgers, snowmen—you name it. Designed in Japan by Toru Soeya, they were made to 'bring healing' and quickly became surprise must-haves. Sonny Angels are now a collectable phenomenon and a favourite among aesthetic girlies who like their serotonin in miniature form. 10. Monster High (2010) If Bratz were the rebel teens of the doll world, Monster High was their gothic, undead cousin who listened to My Chemical Romance and drank iced lattes in a haunted cafeteria. Launched in 2010, Monster High reimagined the children of classic monsters—Draculaura, Frankie Stein and Clawdeen Wolf—as stylish, self-aware high schoolers navigating teen life with fangs, bolts and killer heels. Every doll had a backstory, a punny name and a look that was equal parts horror movie and haute couture. It was the first mainstream doll line to centre freakiness as fabulousness—and kids ate it up. 11. Noodoll (2009) Born in London with Taiwanese roots, Noodolls are kawaii-style plushies with names like Ricecarrot and Ricemonster. They're the therapy plushies of the design world. Now regaining momentum after the Labubu brouhaha, Noodolls are a soft power staple for millennials who grew up and now need something soft to cry into at their WFH desk. 12. Labubu (2015) Part goblin, part woodland spirit, Labubu was created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung and produced by POP MART. With snaggle teeth, devilish eyes and twisted whimsy, Labubu dolls look like they've crawled out of a haunted Lisa Frank sketchbook, and Gen Z is obsessed. Ultra-coveted and often sold out, these iconic collectable dolls have become part of the new wave of 'designer toys' that blur the line between doll and fine art. See more: The rise of Labubu: Why are people obsessed with this plush toy accessory?
