Latest news with #fandom
The Verge
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
‘Honestly, the more botched they look, the better.'
Posted Jun 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM UTC 'Honestly, the more botched they look, the better.' Labubus — those kind of scary little dolls with teeth that people are obsessed with — are hard to come by these days. It's no surprise that the knock off industry is filling the gap; what is funny is that the fake dolls ('Lafufus') are popular, too. For some Labubu owners, the authenticity of their doll doesn't even matter. It's part of the fandom experience all the same. What Is a Lafufu? Fake Labubus Find Some Fans Online. [
CBS News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
The furries are coming back to Pittsburgh in record numbers for this year's Anthrocon
The furries are coming back to Pittsburgh, with a record 19,000 attendees expected for this year's Anthrocon. More than 15,000 furries are pre-registered for the event at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, VisitPittsburgh said in a press release Thursday. Registration is currently 90% sold out, and more furries are still expected. Over 12,000 total room nights are booked between 21 partner hotels Downtown, on the North Shore and in Station Square, according to VisitPittsburgh. The annual convention is expected to generate over $21.7 million in direct visitor spending. "It doesn't feel like Summer is officially upon us until the fursuiters take to the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh," Andy Ortale, the chief sales officer at VisitPittsburgh, said in a news release. "Every year, we take pride in partnering with Anthrocon organizers to cultivate meaningful community bonds and collaborations that deliver real, enduring benefits to our city." There's plenty of furry fun on the docket, including the fursuit parade, which will step off at 2 p.m. on July 5 at 10th Street near Fort Duquesne. There will also be a block party on Penn Avenue between 9th and 11th streets from noon until the evening. What is a furry? Anthrocon has been celebrating the furry fandom in Pittsburgh since 2006. What exactly is the furry fandom? Anthrocon explains on its website, saying it's "an artistic and literary genre that is practiced and enjoyed by tens of thousands worldwide. We count among our ranks professional sports mascots, animators, cartoonists, puppeteers, artists, illustrators, and writers, as well as those who simply think that it would be a wonderful thing if animals could walk or talk like we do." This year's Anthrocon is scheduled from July 3 through July 6. Everyone is welcome, no fursuit required.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lionesses and Red Roses join forces to call for more women's sport on TV
Almost half of Brits wish there were more women's sport coverage on TV, according to new research. This is despite viewership and fandom of women's sports skyrocketing in recent years, thanks to sporting success for England's national teams and increased coverage on TV. Advertisement This uptick sees many fans frequently tuning in, with over a quarter (27%) actively seeking out women's sport weekly. While one in five (20%) of 18–34-year-olds do so every day, according to recent research by LG. This rings particularly true in the capital, with Londoners the most committed as two in five (40%) seek out female sports content weekly. The younger generations are the most loyal fans and want to see even more from their favourite sportswomen, with almost three quarters (72%) of 25–34-year-olds sharing they wish women's sport was more widely covered on TV. For those over 45, their kids are taking an educational role in women's sport engagement. Nearly a quarter (22%) claim that their children introduced them to women's sport for the first time. Advertisement To discuss the upcoming summer of sport, former England goalkeeper and media pundit, Rachel Brown-Finnis, sat down with two of England's most loved sporting teams, the Lionesses and Red Roses. Lioness captain Leah Williamson and teammates, Anna Moorhouse and Jess Carter, were joined by Red Roses, Ellie Kildunne, Sadia Kabeya and Lucy Packer, to reflect on some of the nation's most memorable sporting TV moments and the importance of visibility. Sharing her thoughts on the value of visibility, Leah Williamson said: 'I think it's so important that the boys see us, and they see it as normal that we're on the telly and that we're doing the same thing that they want to do.' While goalkeeper, Anna Moorhouse, added: 'It's just great to have everything more accessible. When I was growing up, you couldn't really watch it on TV, women's sport, it was once in a blue moon, now it's every weekend.' Advertisement Presented by Brown-Finnis, in partnership with LG, the group reflected on the development and support that has shaped women's football and rugby into the globally watched sports they are today. Red Roses full-back Ellie Kildunne commented: 'As a Red Roses team, we're playing and they're inspired by us. It's really cool and its definitely just the start, I think there's so much more we can do to grow.' Fan support from across the country will be inspiring the Red Roses and the Lionesses this summer and Brown-Finnis agrees, saying: 'We will be cheering on the Red Roses this summer, we'll be cheering on the Lionesses – good luck for an amazing summer of sport.' Rachel Brown-Finnis is relishing a summer of women's sport (imagecomms) James Thomas, senior product manager for Media Solutions at LG Electronics UK, added: 'It was great to catch up with members of the Lionesses and Red Roses at St George's Park recently, as part of our ongoing partnership with The FA and the RFU. LG's All In Pledge encourages people to engage and watch women's sport, whilst helping the nation get closer to the action with LG OLED TVs. Advertisement 'Watching women's sports helps grow the game and inspires new players to pick up the sport themselves, as watching changes everything.' Red Roses player Sadia Kabeya knows how important watching women's sports is for future players and said: 'The uptake over the past couple of years has been amazing. I never watched rugby growing up and some of these girls are coming because they've seen it on TV…and that being the reason people are taking up the sport is really cool.' Jess Carter said: 'It's incredible now that you can watch so much women's sport on TV. Luckily, I've been able to get on it and hopefully other people have been enjoying watching myself and my team play' Members of the two England women's teams caught up with LG at St George's Park recently as part of the leading TV manufacturer's ongoing partnership with The FA and the RFU. The LG All In Pledge encourages people to engage and watch women's sport. Together we can grow support through fandom and audience numbers to inspire new players to pick up the sport themselves, as watching changes everything. For more information, go to
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Motor 1
‘This Checks Out:' Man Says Jeep Wrangler Owners and Disney Adults Have ‘The Same Vibe.' Here's What He Means
What do Disney adults and Jeep Wrangler owners have in common? According to people online, a lot. That's the point one TikTok user made—half-joking, half-serious—in a video that's now been viewed over 685,000 times. Earlier this month, creator Michael Dallas (@themichaeldallas) declared that Disney adults and Jeep Wrangler owners 'give off the same vibe.' He didn't specify why, noting, 'I don't know how to explain this.' But that didn't matter. The internet understood. 'Give off the same vibe? They're the same people,' one commenter responded. What Exactly Is a Disney Adult? Simply put, a Disney adult is an adult who loves Disney passionately and without apology. This might mean they make frequent visits to Disney theme parks, have a closet full of character merchandise, or plan life milestones around Mickey-shaped icons. The fandom often faces ridicule. A 2022 Rolling Stone article even labeled Disney adults as one of the most hated groups on the internet. Trending Now 'Buy the Replacements on Amazon for $7:' Mechanic Tells Woman to Change the Cabin Filter After Her Oil Change. Should She Do It? 'I Would Have Just Cried and Waited for Everyone to Leave:' Woman Tries to Park Ford Expedition at the Airport. It Backfires 'Being a Disney adult is nothing short of an embarrassment,' it declared. The piece referenced a viral Reddit post about a bride who reportedly blew her catering budget to hire Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse for her wedding. The post generated such a stir that moderators ended the thread. 'I like Disney too, but the 'Disney adult' fanatics who would rather see Mickey & Minnie for 30 minutes rather than feed their guests [are] just so unbelievably selfish,' one commenter wrote. 'I'm glad I don't know these people in real life.' From Disney Adult to Jeep Drivers Dallas didn't elaborate, but he offered one theory in his caption: 'Maybe it's the ducks?' He's referencing the 'ducking' phenomenon—when Jeep Wrangler owners leave rubber ducks on each other's vehicles as a kind of friendly gesture. According to Motor Trend , it started with a Canadian Jeep driver in 2020 and quickly became a viral tradition among Wrangler fans. Today, some owners carry ducks just in case they come across another Jeep. Hertz once offered brand-new Wrangler 4xe hybrids with ducks pre-loaded inside. Like Disney adults, Wrangler owners are sometimes accused of treating their fandom more as a lifestyle or a cult. But the comparisons are meant to be lighthearted. Via TikTok direct message, Dallas said that his post "was all in good fun" and "celebrates the quirks we all love to poke fun at." "Both the Jeep Wrangler community and Disney adults share a passion for self expression, visual flair, and going over the top," he added. "There's something reminiscent of modern over-consumerism when seeing a Wrangler dashboard covered in rubber ducks to accent all of the stick on neon accessories from Amazon covering the exterior or spotting someone with an entire wall dedicated to Mickey ears in the guest bedroom of their four bedroom three bath suburban home; it's harmless but hilarious." Less Ducks, More Vibes Both Jeep Wrangler owners and Disney adults are passionate. Both also build communities around a brand. And both can seem a little much to some. 'Some Venn diagrams are just a circle,' one viewer quipped. Another added, 'If I see someone owns a Jeep, I immediately know they're going to be too much for me. Not always in the same way, but always too much in some way.' And then there were the self-aware commenters. 'My husband and I are Jeep owners and Disney adults,' one admitted. 'This checks out.' Of course, not everyone agreed. Some Wrangler owners said the comparison was offensive. 'Nope. Wrangler owner here,' one said. 'Hate the duck thing and hate Disney!' 'There are completely different kinds of Wrangler owners,' another argued. 'As a Wrangler owner with a deep hatred for Disney and all their movies and parks, I'm offended,' a third said. Dallas told Motor1 , "At the end of the day, it's about finding joy in the things you love. Whether that's off roading with your duck adorned Jeep or planning your next Disneybound outfit, I say embrace it. The world's more fun with a little bit of extra personality." More From Motor1 'This Should Be Illegal': Customer Gets Approved for 2024 Jeep Wrangler. Then An Expert Exposes the Reality of Financing Hertz Will Rent You a Jeep Wrangler With Rubber Ducks Hidden Inside The Recon Will Be Jeep's 'New Defender,' Says Exec The Jeep Wrangler Willys 41 Edition Rules. But There's One Big Catch Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Netflix Expands Offline With Fan-Fueled Entertainment Concept
Two years ago, Netflix made the announcement that it would open 'Netflix Houses,' an offline concept where visitors would be able to shop, eat, play, and interact with their favorite shows in real life. Today, the streaming giant is sharing more details about the first location openings and what consumers can expect to experience, indicating a clear intention to develop brand touchpoints through physical retail and engage with consumers in additional ways. Netflix is officially expanding its footprint outside the digital sphere, with two Netflix Houses opening in Philadelphia and Dallas by the end of the year, and a third location in Las Vegas later on. The concept: extending its hit shows into real life and allowing visitors to immerse themselves and interact with the shows they love in-person. The spaces are developed to feel like playful, highly engaging touchpoints where fandom can be lived and expressed. 'Finally, a place where the Netflix story you can't get enough of becomes something real that you can play, shop, and taste. This is fandom coming to life, where you can actually step inside the worlds you've been watching and loving for years,' shared Marian Lee, Netflix's Chief Marketing Officer, on a company article. Netflix will merge the physical and digital worlds by offering VR games, where individuals will be able to play as the main character of a show or movie, play games, trivia nights and catch a movie while having a snack. The spaces are designed to feel like a giant playground for the fans of Netflix original shows and movies. These spaces - which will be permanent locations - signal a bigger ambition for Netflix: expand beyond screens to become a broader part of today's culture by interacting with people as they play, eat, and socialize. This move echoes Disney's evolution as a global cultural phenomenon that grew into a brand that's part of our culture, with theme parks being part of everyone's childhood (and adulthood too). By investing in physical spaces and experimenting with offline play and retail, Netflix is building experiences from scratch and hoping to anchor itself as a cultural brand, potentially hoping to turn into a lifestyle brand that spans beyond streaming. At a time when streaming platforms are fighting for subscribers, physical spaces provide a differentiated, engaging and fun platform that doesn't compare with digital offerings. Building these year-round, evolving immersive experiences will allow the streaming giant to embed itself further into modern culture and hopefully build loyalty amongst consumers. Gen Z's appetite for unique experiences and social-media worthy environments will certainly find a home with these Netflix Houses, expanding the streaming's giant's reach as a cultural brand and universe. In bringing its hit shows into the real world through permanent spaces that merge retail, dining and entertainment, Netflix is opening a new chapter aimed at turning content into culture and engaging with consumers far beyond the screen. Having already expanded into retail through fashion and lifestyle collabs, the streaming player is now going all in to grow its brand and stand out amidst fierce competition in the entertainment industry. A question looms: is this type of entertainment concept the future of theme parks?
