Latest news with #emotionalstruggles
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Experts issue urgent warning over Labubu trend
Psychologists are warning that owning Labubu toys, the latest collectible craze among Gen Z, could be a sign of deeper emotional struggles. The sharp-toothed grinning toys have been inspired by the illustrated book series The Monsters, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, in which Labubus are a tribe of female elves. The characters became the must-have item for thousands of young adults and teens after Lung partnered with the Chinese toy company POP MART in 2019, producing toys based on his creations. But while the trend may seem harmless, it has raised eyebrows among mental health professionals - particularly as some fans admit to spending hundreds, even thousands, on the tiny toys. From unboxing videos to elaborate displays, fans of the quirky creatures say they're a cute collectable item, but experts say there might be more going on under the surface. Chartered clinical psychologist Tracy King, who has been tracking the rise of 'trinket culture' among younger generations claims it is a 'response to burnout and disconnection.' King claimed the Labubu toy craze is not 'a shallow trend', but is actually a 'psychological response' to the unpredictable climate Gen Z are growing up in. Speaking to Tyla, she explained: 'On the surface, they're fun and whimsical. But psychologically, they're deeply symbolic: these objects offer small, accessible moments of comfort, control, and identity in an unpredictable world.' She claimed Gen Z don't have the same financial security as past generations with home ownership on the decline - leaving many young people feeling out of control. However, collectibles are 'something you can control'. The psychologist went on to explain how, while previous generations were largely saving for mortgages and pensions, Gen Z are instead 'investing in now'. Dr King said: 'They've watched global crises unravel with pandemics, recessions, the climate emergency—so the big life goals that guided previous generations often feel out of reach. Dr King clarified that they are not collecting the toys 'out of immaturity' but instead is a 'form of emotional repair'. She added: 'These soft, playful objects evoke feelings of safety, care, and nostalgia, things that might've been missing or cut short in early life. This is inner child work in action.' Fellow psychologist and co-founder of US Therapy Rooms, Dr Daniel Glazer, agrees that the Labubu trend reflects deeper generational patterns. He told the publication that Gen Z came of age during a time marked by economic instability and the pandemic, a period when traditional life milestones felt delayed or out of reach. In response, many have turned to so-called 'micro-luxuries' like collectible toys, using small purchases to reclaim a sense of control and instant gratification in a world that often feels uncertain. Limited edition versions of Labubu can fetch staggering prices on resale platforms, and online communities are flooded with users showing off entire shelves filled with dozens of the figures. Meanwhile research psychologist Dr. Emma Palmer-Cooper warned Tyla that when collecting becomes obsessive, taking up too much space, money, or fostering unhealthy competition, it be harmful. While collecting can support psychological needs, it may also become a form of avoidance, distracting from deeper emotional issues. It comes after a one-of-a-kind Labubu doll sold for a staggering $150,000 (£112,000) at the Yongle International Auction in Beijing in June. Most of the plush, furry dolls, which have big teeth and elf-like ears, are pocket-sized and cost around £39–£65. The auction was the first to be dedicated to Labubu-brand products. Nearly 1,000 participants were bidding online or in person for at least one of 48 lots that were up for sale. By the end of the auction, all of the Labubu collectibles were sold, racking in more than $500,000 (£372,000) in sales. The auction house is now planning to hold more events dedicated to this toy brand due to the 'growing momentum of pop art in the auction market.' These trendy dolls have taken the world by storm, and have featured as arm candy for A-listers like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink member Lisa. Meanwhile brides in 2025 are updating the 'bouquet toss' ritual by throwing Labubu dolls at their single female friends in yet another sign of the growing obsession with these plush toys. The long-held wedding ritual sees the bride throw her bouquet towards the women in attendance, with whoever catches it said to be the next to get married. However, some newlyweds - presumably lucky enough to have a Labubu or two to spare - are ditching the flowers in favour of the viral bag charms that adult women can't seem to get enough of. For instance, one Melbourne-based bride threw a Labubu keychain at her waiting friends at her wedding reception, as footage of the woman riling up the crowd before chucking the mystery box at them was shared online. The video, posted on TikTok by one of the guests, showed them scrambling to get their hands on the toy while screaming in delight. 'Is it a 2025 wedding if there isn't a Labubu toss?' the caption read. This isn't the only wedding that's featured a 'Labubu toss' in recent times; in fact, 3,235 miles away in Jakarta, another newlywed couple did the exact same. In a video shared on TikTok, the pair can be seen throwing the tiny box into a sea of guests who all rushed to claim the Labubu doll. The clip was posted by the bride's sister, who goes by the username @sellarmoonnn, as she revealed her 'boyfriend caught the Labubu toss' in the caption. 'Bouquet toss < Labubu toss,' she added. Elsewhere, another bride seemingly decided to attach the lavender-coloured figurine to her wedding bouquet - before clarifying 'it's for the video'. Krish Parathan, from Toronto, shared a video of a woman getting ready to tie the knot and captioned the clip: 'Your Labubu is the main character of your wedding bouquet.' But the woman believed to be the bride later told people to 'calm down' while explaining that she did not walk down the aisle with the Labubu but simply posed with it for the video. She wrote: 'Everyone calm down it's for video I didn't walk down the aisle with it.' Not only have Labubus been thrown at guests and fastened onto bouquets, but guests have also offered the keyrings as a wedding gift to the bride and groom. One such person, TikToker @babybalut, who attended a wedding in San Jose filmed herself running over to the happy couple with two mystery boxes as they each picked one. 'POV: You give Labubus as a wedding gift,' the caption read. She was filmed running over to the happy couple with two mystery boxes as the bride and groom said which ones they wanted. It comes after shocking footage of several men hurling punches at one another to secure Labubu dolls surfaced on social media. The group had supposedly been trying to purchase some Labubu dolls at an outlet for Pop Mart, which makes the gremlin-like bag charms, in Stratford's Westfield shopping centre when the brawl ensued. It is not the first time the Labubu plushies have sparked violence among fans of the furry fashion accessory, with one woman also telling the BBC she witnessed a fight between a worker and a shopper in the same store. Pop Mart - a Chinese toy store for adults - has since announced it would be pulling all of its Labubu plushies from its 16 UK stores until June to 'prevent any potential safety issues'. The company told the BBC this was 'not the kind of customer experience it aimed to offer' and promised the dolls would 'return to physical stores' next month as they work on a 'new release mechanism'. But some devoted fans have reacted in fury to the company's decision to pull the toys, blaming them for causing 'hype' by only releasing a few dolls at a time. Others have also complained of re-sellers making it increasingly difficult to purchase the dolls, which can be bought in-store or online for as little as £13.50, by selling them on second-hand sites for up to £600. Ashley Bushey, 32, said she spent more than £1,000 on 13 Labubu toys and countless hours scrolling on TikTok Shop, Vinted and Facebook re-sale groups to expand her collection. Miss Bushey, a Northamptonshire-based coffee shop supervisor, said she predominantly tunes in to Pop Mart's regular TikTok livestreams, which showcase the toys for fans to purchase. 'It's a battlefield. (Pop Mart) are live every day from 2pm to 7pm and I sneak out at work, like I'm always trying to score one on the (livestream),' she said. She said she spends 'more time than I care to admit' finding Labubus, but added 'especially now, because they're so hard to get' after Pop Mart's decision to pause UK sales. 'I'm not even a big collector in the scheme of things. If you go into Facebook groups, I mean, some of them are insane,' she said. Miss Bushey said she collects the '90s and early 2000s toys and started buying Labubus from Pop Mart's The Monsters series in December, describing them as 'so ugly that they were cute'. All the Labubus in The Monsters collection are female, making male versions of the toys extremely rare. The toy collector said she managed to find a rare male toy named Zimomo, which she bought for £200, but added that she had seen some limited edition Labubus listed at £600 on Vinted and eBay.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Justin Bieber's Shocking Lyrics In New Album
Justin Bieber's new album Swag dives into his marriage with Hailey, emotional struggles, and paparazzi drama. Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to new charges tied to a 2023 nightclub assault in London. Casey Anthony's mystery man is Ben Beauchemin, a gun shop owner and vet, who's now gone off the grid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Bieber Sparks Concern For His Marriage After Sharing Post About Getting The 'Silent Treatment'
Justin Bieber continues to fuel rumors about his alleged marital issues with his wife, Hailey Bieber. This time, the pop star took to social media to share a cryptic post about getting the "silent treatment," barely a week after Hailey ditched her wedding ring during several New York outings. Justin Bieber has opened up about his emotional struggles in a heated conversation with a friend, explaining that he has "anger issues" and is "traumatized." Justin seems to be unhappy with a person, as he took to his Instagram stories on Sunday to repost a cryptic video about getting the "silent treatment." The move comes amid rumors that his marriage to Hailey has hit the rocks. However, the couple has attempted to dissuade naysayers by sharing several loved-up photos of themselves together. In the video clip the "Peaches" singer shared, a content creator can be heard complaining, "B-tch, if you're giving me the silent treatment at least tell me why." "I have anxiety, and I have overthinking. Left and right, they go hand-in-hand. If you give me any room for error, there will be error," they added, per Page Six. While it's unclear who the video clip is directed at, it follows a string of cryptic posts shared on his social media page that have left fans worried about Justin's well-being. The timing of Justin's post is particularly noteworthy as it comes a few days after Hailey stepped out in New York City without her big diamond wedding ring. As reported by The Blast, the Rhode Beauty founder first made a stop at The Commerce Inn in the West Village for breakfast, wearing a khaki trench coat and sunglasses. Upon highlighting from her black SUV, she put her left arm up, seemingly showing that she didn't have the ring on. Elsewhere, she joined fellow models Camila Morrone and Suki Waterhouse for a girls' night out at Chez Fifi on the Upper East Side without her ring. For the outing, Hailey wore a black leather coat and matching high-neck top with wide-leg jeans, before completing the look with heels. The 28-year-old model was also ring-free on Friday when she was pictured wearing a tight-fitting black sleeveless T-shirt and white-and-black polka dot leggings in New York City. However, she was spotted rocking the $500,000 piece again on Saturday. More telling of their alleged marital troubles seems to be the extent to which Hailey went to ensure her message was passed, as she overly flaunted her ringless finger. Body language and behavioral expert Darren Stanton dissected the subliminal cues she sent while out and about in the Big Apple last week. "Hailey is making a very exerted effort to show the paparazzi that she's no longer wearing the ring," Stanton said, adding that it is very unusual for her to put her hand "in view very predominantly." "The gesture she makes seems odd," he explained, per The U.S. Sun. "Like when she's wearing the black jacket and a hand comes right across the chest." The expert went further to note that Hailey's timeout with models, Morrone and Waterhouse, means "she's clearly not distressed," but that she is frustrated with her husband. "With Hailey, we see elements of anger and frustration because the eyebrows are put together, the eyes are narrowed, and the lips are pierced," he explained. "Therefore, I would assert she's angry and frustrated, potentially with Justin's behavior, as I know she has allegedly said she's not happy with Justin's behavior," Staton added. For Justin, body language expert Staton said the singer appears to be putting on a "masking smile" and a "brave face" in an effort to conceal his sadness. "Trying to conceal sadness with a smile is very common some people use a fake smile to cover frustration, anxiety, and a lack of confidence in certain social settings," he said. He added that Justin's smile lacks the elements of a "genuine smile," which are "lines at the side of the eyes called crows feet or left lines [ also known as laughter lines]." "No matter how old someone is, if the whole face is not engaged and we don't see the three lines at the side of the eyes, then it is most probably a fake smile to conceal an inner emotion, and I believe that Justin is feeling sadness," Staton explained. The depth to which the couple's 6-year union has been rocked remains unknown, but it appears there is trouble indeed. During Father's Day celebration this month, Hailey did not share a congratulatory message with the "Baby" singer, with whom she welcomed son Jack Blues in August 2024. In fact, reports suggest they had a "bitter" clash that day following a series of bizarre posts Justin shared to Instagram, including one where he referred to someone as a "lil ho." "The post really set her off — she told him it was one of the dumbest things he's ever done, like feeding raw meat to a pack of lions who want to eat you alive," a source told The U.S. Sun. Although Hailey has reportedly been advising Justin to seek professional help and understands that he has "anger and mood issues," she's seemingly unwilling to continue putting up with and making excuses for him. "Hailey didn't want him to post that message," an insider said. "She's fed up with his childish behavior and the constant negativity he brings onto himself. Share told him to stop being a 'f-cking child' and to finally start listening to the people who care about him."
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Friend Of Food Network Star Anne Burrell Reveals Her Private Battle Before Tragic End
Anne Burrell's tragic passing at 55 has shaken the culinary world, and now, a close friend is opening up about the private struggles she faced behind the scenes. Celebrity chef Duff Goldman, one of Burrell's longtime Food Network colleagues, revealed that despite her upbeat public image, Anne had been quietly dealing with emotional challenges. His remarks come as new details emerge about the beloved chef's final days, adding depth to the heartbreak surrounding her untimely death. Goldman has shed light on the private pain Anne Burrell kept hidden before her tragic end. On Thursday, June 19, the 50-year-old took to Instagram with a picture of himself and the late chef, alongside a lengthy and emotional caption. "I've written and re-written this post so many times in the past 24 hours, and I just don't know what to say," he began. Goldman revealed that Burrell was going through a tough time back then, and he baked her a cake to lift her spirits. The words inscribed on the cake read, "Don't let the b*st*rds win." He noted that she "never did." The Food Network star recalled their complex relationship and mentioned how their last conversation before drifting apart was a passionate debate about catfish. "I believe the words' trash fish,' 'tastes like mud,' and 'cake boy' were used, haha," he wrote. Goldman admitted he never understood why they lost touch but always hoped Burrell was happy. The pastry chef recounted an unexpected moment a couple of years ago when he ran into her at a gala in New York City. "I was at a gala in NYC with my wife and my daughter, and I took Josephine out to the lobby to give her a break from sitting at a table listening to speeches. We were playing with the marble columns, and as we rounded one, we saw Anne," Goldman shared. The TV personality revealed that he and Burrell chatted after years of not speaking. Though he didn't share the specifics of their conversation, Goldman said it "left my heart lifted and full of light," making it clear the "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" star had found happiness and love. Goldman continued, describing Anne Burrell as someone who was "tough as they come," but beneath her armor, there was a "depth of compassion and kindness that was absolutely beautiful." He revealed that the "love and tranquility" the TV host seemingly found before her demise, alongside the genuine smile at him and his daughter at the lobby that day, brought him comfort and helped soften the pain of her loss. Ending his tribute, Goldman wrote, "Anne, wherever you are I hope they have slow moving rivers because when I get there, we'll get a couple of rods, a pint of chicken livers, and a sixer and I'll teach you how to catch and cook the best catfish you ever had." He signed off tenderly, "Rest up, chef." Anne Burrell was found dead in her Brooklyn home on the morning of June 17, 2025. Her husband, Stuart Claxton, discovered her unresponsive in the shower and called 911 to report a cardiac arrest. Emergency medical services arrived and pronounced her dead at the scene at approximately 7:50 a.m. According to the NYPD, Burrell was found unconscious and unresponsive, and investigators reportedly discovered a large quantity of unidentified pills near her body. The medical examiner has not yet released an official cause of death, and no foul play has been confirmed. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances, including the presence of the pills, as part of a routine inquiry in such cases. Burrell's death shocked many, including her friend, Elizabeth Falkner, who revealed the chef was in decent shape. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Falkner stated, "I think Anne looks like she's in pretty decent shape these days, so it's kind of surprising to me. It's just really so sudden and shocking." Falkner went on to recall the last time she saw Burrell, which was a week before her demise at an intimate dinner party she hosted. "I said, 'Come to my dinner at Soho House, it'll be great to see you.' And she brought her husband, and we just had such a good time," she recalled. "It was just so sweet." Following the dinner, Falkner said she and Burrell had decided to stay in touch constantly. "We were like, 'Let's just make a point of talking and texting more often,'" Falkner shared. "I'm very grateful to have had that special night. I feel like [our friendship] just got cut really short fast."
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dear Abby: My sisters treat me like the ‘failure' of the family
DEAR ABBY: I am the youngest of four sisters. I lost one of them, 'Rachel,' to cancer several years ago. She and I were considered the 'failures' of the family because we had to work hard to take care of our families, whereas our other two sisters married into money. Rachel didn't take part in many family get-togethers because, I'm guessing, she felt out of place. I didn't understand it then, but I do now that she's gone because I feel the same way. It's aggravating for me now when my sisters come to town. They don't understand how hard we have to work to get by. They think we and our children, who are out working hard too, can take time off anytime to get together with them when they come on short notice. It's aggravating, and I'm unsure how to approach this. Please help. — 'FAILURE' IN FLORIDA DEAR 'FAILURE': Your 'successful' sisters appear to be annoyingly obtuse. The next time you receive an invitation on short notice, patiently explain to them the difference in your lifestyle and theirs and point out that it precludes you changing your schedule at the drop of a hat. Then tell them the amount of time you need to prepare. (Why you would want to get together with anyone who makes you feel 'less than' puzzles me.) DEAR ABBY: I've been divorced for 10 years and have since remarried. I began dating my current wife nine years ago. I have four daughters, ages 24 through 37. Since the divorce, our relationships have been strained because my ex continues to hold them emotionally hostage by feeding her narrative that I'm the bad guy for initiating the divorce. Because my daughters seem to believe everything their mother tells them, it's been difficult to reintegrate back into their lives because they don't know what to believe or who to trust. My new wife gets frustrated when they don't call me for the big events (birthdays, Father's Day, holidays, etc.). And I feel horrible because her kids make a point of contacting me for every event. Should I continue accepting where things are with my daughters and wait for them to realize I'm not the monster their mother has painted me as? Or should I try having a hard conversation with each of them and take my chances on possibly saying the wrong thing and making things worse? — DAMNED IF I DO OR DON'T DEAR DAMNED: I'm not sure what the circumstances were that made you divorce their mother, but your daughters are no longer children. They are fully into adulthood. I do think a conversation with each of them is in order. If you approach the subject saying that things don't always work out as planned, and had you found living with their mother to be tolerable you would still be married, it might make the rest of what you have to say more palatable. If your ex has accused you of infidelity, you have a right to defend yourself as long as you don't assassinate their mother's character (which is likely what she has done to yours). Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
