Internet-Famous Doll Makes CEO $1.6B Richer
No, it's not AI. It's Labubu —a creepy-cute vinyl figure that looks like it crawled out of a dream you had after bingeing Tim Burton movies. And somehow, it's become the internet's newest obsession.
Labubu is part of a designer toy line called The Monsters, made by the Chinese company Pop Mart. The toy has been around for a while, quietly building a cult following.
From Rihanna casually strolling through LAX with a pink Labubu swinging from her bag, to fashion icon Bryanboy clipping one onto a rare Hermès platinum tote like it's no big deal—Labubu has officially gone from collectible toy to chaotic fashion accessory.
Labubu is part of a designer toy line called The Monsters, made by the Chinese company Pop Mart. The toy has been around for a while, quietly building a cult following.
by u/Lindseyszn in labubu
But things exploded when Pop Mart went public (again) on the Chinese A-share market on May 15, 2025. The result? A buying frenzy so intense it sent the company's valuation through the roof—enough to make its CEO Wang Ning $1.6 billion richer in just 24 hours. Yes, with a B.
Instagram: @nbcchicago
So, what's the big deal? Labubu is not just a toy—it is a phenomenon.
Think blind boxes you queue for at 6 a.m., limited editions that sell out in seconds, and resale prices that are climbing faster than concert tickets to a Taylor Swift show.
TikTok is flooded with unboxings, hauls, and collectors showing off rare Labubu designs like they're vintage Rolexes. People are calling themselves 'Labubu addicts' unironically. We've officially entered the era of designer toy mania.
Instagram: @backstitchbruja
Pop Mart isn't new to this game—it's had other hits like Molly and Dimoo. But Labubu is different. It's the breakout star.
There's something weirdly magnetic about the design—those jagged teeth, that wide-eyed stare, the chaotic energy it brings to your shelf. It taps into the part of your brain that finds ugly things cute and terrifying things comforting. And the internet is eating it up.
But it doesn't end here. The toy also has its own cryptocurrency. In the last 24 hours alone, it racked up $9.5 million in trading volume. And since May 14, the number of wallets holding $LABUBU has surged.
$LABUBU just keeps printing green candles everyday 📈 pic.twitter.com/1IvsxBVKHs
— LooksRekt (@Looks_Rekt) May 19, 2025
Twitter: @Looks_Rekt
Launched in 2024 on the Ethereum platform, the LABUBU coin is inspired by the chaotic little gremlin, originally created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. What started as a collectible designer toy is now also a full-blown MEME coin. Translation? The internet's obsession has officially gone crypto.
What started in niche toy circles has now gone full cultural migration mode, popping up in the front rows of fashion week and on the arms of the stylish and unbothered. Thanks to the star stamp of approval, Labubu didn't just go global—it went viral with a passport.
Instagram: @timeoutdubai
In a way, it makes sense. We live in a world where niche becomes mainstream in a matter of days, and where emotional attachment to tiny plastic things is a real, bank-breaking phenomenon. Labubu isn't just merch—it's identity, serotonin, and status. And in a plot twist that's peak 2025, that vibe just made someone a billionaire.
So if you start seeing a little creature with wild hair and way too many teeth popping up on your feed, now you know: it's Labubu. It's weird. It's wonderful. And it's richer than all of us combined.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
8 minutes ago
- CNN
The dangers of sporting celebrations
The dangers of sporting celebrations NASCAR Driver Connor Zilisch broke his collarbone while celebrating his win at Watkins Glen over the weekend. CNN Sports' Don Riddell takes a look at other athletes who've injured themselves while celebrating. 01:03 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 16 videos The dangers of sporting celebrations NASCAR Driver Connor Zilisch broke his collarbone while celebrating his win at Watkins Glen over the weekend. CNN Sports' Don Riddell takes a look at other athletes who've injured themselves while celebrating. 01:03 - Source: CNN Insect crawls on during European tour Singer, dancer and actress Jennifer Lopez was performing in Almaty, Kazakhstan when an uninvited guest joined her on stage. She casually dismissed the intruder, a long-legged insect, and thanked her fans. 00:28 - Source: CNN Meet the winner of 2025's World's Ugliest Dog Contest The World's Ugliest Dog Contest named Petunia, a hairless bulldog, the winner of this year's competition in California on Friday. The prize was $5,000 and a merchandise deal with Mug Root Beer. 00:30 - Source: CNN A relic of the 90s and early 2000s, AOL ending its dial-up internet service AOL, an internet pioneer that brought millions of Americans online for the first time, is discontinuing its dial-up service next month. AOL posted a statement saying it 'routinely evaluates its products and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet' on September 30, ending more than three decades of operations. 00:33 - Source: CNN Masked thieves steal $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls Masked thieves stole about $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls from a Los Angeles-area store on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are investigating the incident. 00:44 - Source: CNN Intense storm rips roof off prison Hundreds of prisoners from the Nebraska State Penitentiary were displaced after a violent storm damaged two housing units on Saturday, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. No injuries were reported, the department said. 00:27 - Source: CNN Paris locals say tourism surge is 'an invasion' Paris is no stranger to tourists taking photos of its historic landmarks. Tourists taking photos of themselves in front of the landmarks for social media? Well, that's changed the game. As the French capital sees a surge in international tourism, CNN's Melissa Bell spoke with locals in Montmartre who told CNN they worry that the large crowds are leading to the 'Disney-fication' of their neighborhood. 01:27 - Source: CNN Meet the oldest panda living outside of China At 35 years old, Xin Xin is a legend as the oldest giant panda living outside of China. CNN's Valeria León visited Mexico City's Chapultepec Park Zoo – where Xin Xin lives – to see why thousands of people visit the panda each day. 01:14 - Source: CNN See what happens when a robot competes with courting fiddler crabs Researchers test fiddler crab mating strategies by introducing a robot with a waving claw, dubbed 'Wavy Dave.' CNN speaks to one of the scientists about the study and some surprising moments caught on camera. 01:50 - Source: CNN Harry Enten samples new ketchup smoothie CNN's Harry Enten gives a taste test for the ketchup smoothie collaboration between Heinz Ketchup and Smoothie King. 00:52 - Source: CNN See statue unveiling for Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium The New England Patriots unveil a statue for seven-time Super Bowl champion and retired quarterback Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium. 00:32 - Source: CNN Dinosaur footprints found after Texas floods Videos and photos show dinosaur footprints uncovered in the Sandy Creek area in Travis County, Texas following the catastrophic July 4th floods. Experts say the creek where the prints were found is usually dry but rose to 20 feet during the floods, and that the prints are approximately 110 to 115 million years old. 00:51 - Source: CNN Water slide malfunction on Royal Caribbean cruise Videos show a hole in a broken water slide on the Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship. Acrylic glass broke as a guest passed through the slide. A spokesperson said in a statement to CNN that the guest is being treated for injuries. 00:26 - Source: CNN CNN contributor sounds off on the big issue of sex toys thrown at WNBA games CNN Contributor Cari Champion says that WNBA players deserve respect in the wake of sex toys being thrown on the court during games. 01:21 - Source: CNN Iconic astronaut of Apollo 13 dies at 97 Famed NASA astronaut Jim Lovell, who commanded the harrowing Apollo 13 mission that was forced to abandon a lunar landing attempt in 1970, has died. He was 97. 00:45 - Source: CNN Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock dead at 48 Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 48. 01:11 - Source: CNN
CNN
21 minutes ago
- CNN
The dangers of sporting celebrations
The dangers of sporting celebrations NASCAR Driver Connor Zilisch broke his collarbone while celebrating his win at Watkins Glen over the weekend. CNN Sports' Don Riddell takes a look at other athletes who've injured themselves while celebrating. 01:03 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 16 videos The dangers of sporting celebrations NASCAR Driver Connor Zilisch broke his collarbone while celebrating his win at Watkins Glen over the weekend. CNN Sports' Don Riddell takes a look at other athletes who've injured themselves while celebrating. 01:03 - Source: CNN Insect crawls on during European tour Singer, dancer and actress Jennifer Lopez was performing in Almaty, Kazakhstan when an uninvited guest joined her on stage. She casually dismissed the intruder, a long-legged insect, and thanked her fans. 00:28 - Source: CNN Meet the winner of 2025's World's Ugliest Dog Contest The World's Ugliest Dog Contest named Petunia, a hairless bulldog, the winner of this year's competition in California on Friday. The prize was $5,000 and a merchandise deal with Mug Root Beer. 00:30 - Source: CNN A relic of the 90s and early 2000s, AOL ending its dial-up internet service AOL, an internet pioneer that brought millions of Americans online for the first time, is discontinuing its dial-up service next month. AOL posted a statement saying it 'routinely evaluates its products and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet' on September 30, ending more than three decades of operations. 00:33 - Source: CNN Masked thieves steal $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls Masked thieves stole about $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls from a Los Angeles-area store on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are investigating the incident. 00:44 - Source: CNN Intense storm rips roof off prison Hundreds of prisoners from the Nebraska State Penitentiary were displaced after a violent storm damaged two housing units on Saturday, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. No injuries were reported, the department said. 00:27 - Source: CNN Paris locals say tourism surge is 'an invasion' Paris is no stranger to tourists taking photos of its historic landmarks. Tourists taking photos of themselves in front of the landmarks for social media? Well, that's changed the game. As the French capital sees a surge in international tourism, CNN's Melissa Bell spoke with locals in Montmartre who told CNN they worry that the large crowds are leading to the 'Disney-fication' of their neighborhood. 01:27 - Source: CNN Meet the oldest panda living outside of China At 35 years old, Xin Xin is a legend as the oldest giant panda living outside of China. CNN's Valeria León visited Mexico City's Chapultepec Park Zoo – where Xin Xin lives – to see why thousands of people visit the panda each day. 01:14 - Source: CNN See what happens when a robot competes with courting fiddler crabs Researchers test fiddler crab mating strategies by introducing a robot with a waving claw, dubbed 'Wavy Dave.' CNN speaks to one of the scientists about the study and some surprising moments caught on camera. 01:50 - Source: CNN Harry Enten samples new ketchup smoothie CNN's Harry Enten gives a taste test for the ketchup smoothie collaboration between Heinz Ketchup and Smoothie King. 00:52 - Source: CNN See statue unveiling for Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium The New England Patriots unveil a statue for seven-time Super Bowl champion and retired quarterback Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium. 00:32 - Source: CNN Dinosaur footprints found after Texas floods Videos and photos show dinosaur footprints uncovered in the Sandy Creek area in Travis County, Texas following the catastrophic July 4th floods. Experts say the creek where the prints were found is usually dry but rose to 20 feet during the floods, and that the prints are approximately 110 to 115 million years old. 00:51 - Source: CNN Water slide malfunction on Royal Caribbean cruise Videos show a hole in a broken water slide on the Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship. Acrylic glass broke as a guest passed through the slide. A spokesperson said in a statement to CNN that the guest is being treated for injuries. 00:26 - Source: CNN CNN contributor sounds off on the big issue of sex toys thrown at WNBA games CNN Contributor Cari Champion says that WNBA players deserve respect in the wake of sex toys being thrown on the court during games. 01:21 - Source: CNN Iconic astronaut of Apollo 13 dies at 97 Famed NASA astronaut Jim Lovell, who commanded the harrowing Apollo 13 mission that was forced to abandon a lunar landing attempt in 1970, has died. He was 97. 00:45 - Source: CNN Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock dead at 48 Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 48. 01:11 - Source: CNN
CNN
5 hours ago
- CNN
Taylor Swift website crashes after album announcement
Taylor Swift website crashes after album announcement Shortly after announcing her new album 'The Life of a Showgirl," some internet users experienced difficulty accessing Taylor Swift's website, potentially due to heightened traffic. 00:35 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 16 videos Taylor Swift website crashes after album announcement Shortly after announcing her new album 'The Life of a Showgirl," some internet users experienced difficulty accessing Taylor Swift's website, potentially due to heightened traffic. 00:35 - Source: CNN Insect crawls on during European tour Singer, dancer and actress Jennifer Lopez was performing in Almaty, Kazakhstan when an uninvited guest joined her on stage. She casually dismissed the intruder, a long-legged insect, and thanked her fans. 00:28 - Source: CNN Meet the winner of 2025's World's Ugliest Dog Contest The World's Ugliest Dog Contest named Petunia, a hairless bulldog, the winner of this year's competition in California on Friday. The prize was $5,000 and a merchandise deal with Mug Root Beer. 00:30 - Source: CNN A relic of the 90s and early 2000s, AOL ending its dial-up internet service AOL, an internet pioneer that brought millions of Americans online for the first time, is discontinuing its dial-up service next month. AOL posted a statement saying it 'routinely evaluates its products and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet' on September 30, ending more than three decades of operations. 00:33 - Source: CNN Masked thieves steal $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls Masked thieves stole about $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls from a Los Angeles-area store on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are investigating the incident. 00:44 - Source: CNN Intense storm rips roof off prison Hundreds of prisoners from the Nebraska State Penitentiary were displaced after a violent storm damaged two housing units on Saturday, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. No injuries were reported, the department said. 00:27 - Source: CNN Paris locals say tourism surge is 'an invasion' Paris is no stranger to tourists taking photos of its historic landmarks. Tourists taking photos of themselves in front of the landmarks for social media? Well, that's changed the game. As the French capital sees a surge in international tourism, CNN's Melissa Bell spoke with locals in Montmartre who told CNN they worry that the large crowds are leading to the 'Disney-fication' of their neighborhood. 01:27 - Source: CNN Meet the oldest panda living outside of China At 35 years old, Xin Xin is a legend as the oldest giant panda living outside of China. CNN's Valeria León visited Mexico City's Chapultepec Park Zoo – where Xin Xin lives – to see why thousands of people visit the panda each day. 01:14 - Source: CNN See what happens when a robot competes with courting fiddler crabs Researchers test fiddler crab mating strategies by introducing a robot with a waving claw, dubbed 'Wavy Dave.' CNN speaks to one of the scientists about the study and some surprising moments caught on camera. 01:50 - Source: CNN Harry Enten samples new ketchup smoothie CNN's Harry Enten gives a taste test for the ketchup smoothie collaboration between Heinz Ketchup and Smoothie King. 00:52 - Source: CNN See statue unveiling for Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium The New England Patriots unveil a statue for seven-time Super Bowl champion and retired quarterback Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium. 00:32 - Source: CNN Dinosaur footprints found after Texas floods Videos and photos show dinosaur footprints uncovered in the Sandy Creek area in Travis County, Texas following the catastrophic July 4th floods. Experts say the creek where the prints were found is usually dry but rose to 20 feet during the floods, and that the prints are approximately 110 to 115 million years old. 00:51 - Source: CNN Water slide malfunction on Royal Caribbean cruise Videos show a hole in a broken water slide on the Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship. Acrylic glass broke as a guest passed through the slide. A spokesperson said in a statement to CNN that the guest is being treated for injuries. 00:26 - Source: CNN CNN contributor sounds off on the big issue of sex toys thrown at WNBA games CNN Contributor Cari Champion says that WNBA players deserve respect in the wake of sex toys being thrown on the court during games. 01:21 - Source: CNN Iconic astronaut of Apollo 13 dies at 97 Famed NASA astronaut Jim Lovell, who commanded the harrowing Apollo 13 mission that was forced to abandon a lunar landing attempt in 1970, has died. He was 97. 00:45 - Source: CNN Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock dead at 48 Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager and former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 48. 01:11 - Source: CNN
