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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Woke up to Labubu closer to my bed': eerie doll incidents spark fear; influencers burn their Labubus
Labubu, the wide-eyed vinyl collectible created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung , captivated India in 2025 before transforming into a startling social media phenomenon steeped in conspiracy theories and superstition. What began as a stylish accessory became the subject of viral panic involving influencers, curses, and animated online outrage. Labubu's rise: from Hong Kong toy to Indian fashion staple Labubu first gained recognition within the designer toy community abroad, then exploded in India. Influencers and celebrities like Ananya Panday and Urvashi Rautela adopted it as a fashionable charm—Rautela famously appeared at Wimbledon 2025 with not one, but four Labubu dolls dangling from her Hermès bag. The toy resonated with the "kidult" trend, blending whimsy with luxury, and found its way onto street markets and million-dollar Birkins alike. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program When charm turned to curse: the Pazuzu connection The mood shifted when a TikTok or Instagram post placed a brown Labubu doll beside an AI-generated image of Pazuzu, a Mesopotamian demon. Viewers latched onto a Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror" episode featuring Pazuzu and spun a narrative that the name "Labubu" sounded eerily similar. Soon, Labubu was blamed for strange energy, flickering lights, odd noises, and illness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shooter Action MMO Crossout Play Now Undo Natasha Gandhi: burning the doll amid family illness Chef and influencer Natasha Gandhi shared that family members fell ill one after another—her father-in-law, husband, then herself—prompting her to believe the doll was cursed. "I thought this was Labubu's negative energy, so we burned it," she explained, documenting the act online. Sarah Sarosh: from sick pet to missing heirloom Influencer Sarah Sarosh claimed her dog fell ill after she bought Labubu and only bounced back when she left the doll behind while traveling to London. However, she lost her ₹5 lakh diamond bracelet during the trip. "I feel the Labubus are demonic," she said in her video, captioned: "I'm superstitious… burn them," to which many followers responded with their own eerie tales. Live Events Bharti Singh: spooky mischief prompts flames Comedian Bharti Singh also got rid of hers—burning the doll after noticing her son, Golla, became unusually naughty. She cited warnings from friends like Jasmine Bhasin, plus reports from family members that the doll seemed 'demonic.' Balancing humour with seriousness, Singh added, 'Yes, I'm superstitious, but everyone said so. We had to burn it.' Reddit echoes eerie experiences On Reddit, a user described waking each morning to find their Labubu doll closer to their bed, then hearing it fall at exactly 3:14 am. 'Maybe it's coincidence,' the user wondered. 'But has anyone else experienced this?' Creator clarifies: Labubu is pure fantasy Despite the hysteria, fact-checkers and creator Kasing Lung insist that Labubu has no links to mythology or demons—it's entirely fictional. The craze reveals how quickly social media can shift narratives, turning beloved collectibles into perceived harbingers of misfortune.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Why Influencers Are Burning Labubu Dolls After A Prediction By The Simpsons And A Buri Nazar Demon
For some they are heinous. For some they are the cutest thing that you've ever laid your eyes on. Whichever side you're, you cannot ignore the fact that Labubu has been one of the biggest trends of the year 2025. Starting at Rs 6,000, Labubu was not only a cultural moment but also made its creator, Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning, the 10th richest person in China. His net worth soared from USD 7.59 billion at the end of 2024 to USD 22.1 billion by June 2025 owing to the popularity of Labubus. Labubu, Fafufu, Zimomo, whatever you had. It was everywhere. Hanging from million-dollar Birkins, to being sold across street markets in India, everyone just couldn't get enough. Until it was enough. The Curse, The Bad Omen And Labubu Labubu's journey as India's favourite accessory was already a social media success story. But in true Internet fashion, the lovable wide-eyed creature has now found itself at the centre of a bizarre theory involving ancient demons and an alleged "prediction" by The Simpsons. The panic began innocently enough. An Instagram user posted a dramatic video showing a brown Labubu doll next to an AI-generated image of Pazuzu, the ancient Mesopotamian demon with a lion-like face, bulging eyes, wings and serpentine features, warning people not to buy the "demonic toy". It was just the kind of sensational content algorithms love, and it quickly took off. Then came the so-called prophecy. Social media sleuths dug up an episode of The Simpsons from 2017, "Treehouse of Horror", in which Homer accidentally orders a possessed statue of Pazuzu, leading to baby Maggie's possession. Fans claimed the name Pazuzu sounded suspiciously like Labubu, and since The Simpsons has a cult reputation for "predicting" real-world events, the connection felt almost too good to ignore. Within days, the theory had snowballed into full-blown panic. TikTok and Instagram were flooded with posts claiming the dolls gave off "strange energy", were "spiritually dangerous" or were secretly cursed. Some users even filmed themselves burning their Labubu collections, warning others to "keep demons out of your home". Stories of flickering lights and eerie noises allegedly following Labubu purchases added to the hysteria, blurring the line between joke and genuine fear. The rise of Lafufu, the fake Labubu also didn't help. With even Indian street markets seeing a flood of fake versions of Labubu, it somehow lost its exclusivity factor. 'Everyone Was Falling Sick' " Ek ek kar ke sab bimar par rahe the. Pehle Sasurji, phir Vinayak, phir main. Mujhe laga yeh sab Labubu ki bad energy ka kaam hai, toh humne isse burn kar diya (One by one, everyone in my house was falling sick. My father-in-law first, then my husband, then me. I thought this was Labubu's negative energy, so we burned it)," says Natasha Gandhi, chef and online influencer, who has more than a million followers on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha Gandhi (@natashaagandhi) Natasha decided to burn her Labubu a few days ago and post about it after she linked the spate of illnesses in her home to the doll. However, she isn't alone. Instagram is flooded with content creators sharing stories about "bad things" that happened to them soon after buying a Labubu. Influencer Sarah Sarosh shared that ever since she bought the doll, her dog had been unwell. But when she travelled to London with her Labubu, leaving the dog behind, the pet recovered completely. In London, however, Sarah lost her diamond bracelet worth Rs 5 lakh. "I feel the Labubus are demonic," she said in her video. Her caption read, "I'm superstitious, I don't care, burn them," and the comments were filled with others agreeing and sharing their own apparently unsettling Labubu encounters. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sarah Sarosh (@sarahsaroshh) Comedian and YouTube creator Bharti Singh also burned her doll, saying multiple people told her to. She claimed that ever since she got a Labubu, her young son had become impatient and mischievous. " Jab se yeh aaya hai, Golla bahut shararati ho gaya hai. Haan, main andhvishwasi hoon, sabne bola hai, Jasmine ne, meri behen, sab log bol rahe hai (Since this one arrived, Golla has become very naughty. Yes, I'm superstitious, but everyone asked me to burn it: Jasmine, my sister, everyone is saying it)," she said. Even Reddit is filled with eerie Labubu stories. One user wrote, "About a week ago, I noticed the doll in a slightly different position each morning. Then I began waking up at exactly 3.14 am, and each time, the doll seemed closer to my bed. Last night, I heard something fall, turned on the light, and found it on the floor -- as if it had jumped. Maybe it's coincidence, or maybe my mind is playing tricks -- but has anyone else experienced this?" Remember, according to fact-checkers, there is zero link between Labubu and any ancient myth. Kasing Lung, the Hong Kong artist behind Labubu, has said the character comes entirely from his own fantasy universe. But who's going to convince the Internet that a juicy conspiracy theory does not always mean facts. How Labubu Became Everyone's Favourite In early 2025, most Indians had no idea what a Labubu was. By mid-year, the wide-eyed, slightly mischievous vinyl creature was everywhere, on Instagram reels, in coffee shop corners, and hanging from the handbags of almost every other person. Labubu's journey to fame started outside India. Designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, it began as a niche collectible in the designer toy community. But the real spark came from social media. International influencers began styling Labubu as a fashion charm, pairing it with high-end accessories. These posts racked up views, creating a perfect storm for the Indian market. Enter Bollywood The tipping point came when Bollywood celebrities picked it up. From Ananya Panday to Urvashi Rautela (who became the first Indian woman to show up at the Wimbledon 2025 finals with a Hermes bag adorned with not one, but four Labubu dolls), everyone and their cousin was soon toting Labubu dolls. And soon, Labubu became a part of paparazzi shots, reels, and casual airport looks. Instagram's algorithm ensured that every picture of a Labubu doll next to an Hermes or Balenciaga bag reached millions. Suddenly, it wasn't just a toy; it was an accessory that signalled style, and a touch of playful mischief. But the obsession wasn't only about fashion. Labubu hit at the height of the " kidult" trend - adults openly embracing toys, collectibles and plushies as comfort objects or creative statements. In a busy, often stressful world, owning something whimsical felt like a small act of joy. Social media creators leaned into this narrative, making Labubu appear both aspirational and emotionally relatable. The toy's versatility helped. Whether styled with streetwear, couture, or just jeans and a T-shirt, it blended into any aesthetic. And with multiple colours and designs, it became easy for fans to personalise their collections, fuelled by limited drops that created urgency and exclusivity. From there, the feedback loop took over: more celebrity posts meant more fan interest, which led to more content, which drove even higher demand. But in the last month, Labubu was no longer just a designer toy. Then came the downfall, the curse, the bad omen and an all-encompassing conspiracy theory. From coveted collectible to supposed cursed object, Labubu's viral fame has taken a strange turn. Once the ultimate Instagram accessory, it is now, for some, the toy to fear, and proof that in the age of social media, it takes a blink for yesterday's doll to become a demon today.
Pink Villa
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
IGP Hosts Mumbai's Sweetest Cake Fest, Uniting Bakers and Dessert Lovers
Mumbai, June 09, 2025: Mumbai's dessert scene hit a new high on Sunday, June 8, as IGP, a global D2C multi-category gifting platform, hosted the first-ever IGP Cake Fest, a vibrant celebration of baking, creativity, and community at Versova Social. Aptly called 'The Sweetest Scene in Your City,' the event brought together baking talent, dessert lovers, and some serious sugar-fueled fun. With over 2 Mn cakes delivered annually and a stronghold in the category, IGP continues to shape how India celebrates with cake, making this fest a natural extension of its leadership in the space. At the heart of the fest was the highly anticipated 'Battle of the Bakers', where top home bakers competed for the ₹1 Lakh grand prize and the chance to feature their winning cake on igp's online platform with 5 million users. After an intense and mouthwatering showcase of skill and creativity, the event saw a wide range of innovative and visually stunning cakes, making it a tough call for the judging panel to choose just one winner. Among 40 shortlisted participants, Trashika Dsena emerged as the standout baker, taking home the title and a sweet reward to match. The audience also had their say, voting live at the venue for the Popular Choice Award, which was won by Jill Shah. Celebrity chef Natasha Gandhi, known for her appearance on MasterChef India, presided over the judging panel and shared valuable feedback with the finalists. Comedian Shreeja Chaturvedi had the crowd in splits with a live stand-up set, adding just the right dash of humor to balance the sugar rush. Visitors indulged in dessert tastings, interactive photo ops, fun zones, and exclusive giveaways, making it a true playground for the sweet-toothed. 'The response was overwhelming,' said Tarun Joshi, Founder & CEO of IGP. 'Our aim was to spotlight India's growing baking culture and build a real community around it and IGP Cake Fest turned out to be the perfect platform.' 'IGP Cake Fest wasn't just about cakes, it was about connection, celebration, and community. And judging by the turnout and smiles, Mumbai was more than ready for it.' Natasha Gandhi, a celebrity chef, further added. With an unforgettable mix of talent, taste, and togetherness, IGP Cake Fest wasn't just a celebration of baking, it was a celebration of community. From rising bakers to seasoned creators and dessert enthusiasts, the event brought everyone under one roof for a great evening. As IGP continues to champion creativity and craft in the gifting and celebrations space, Cake Fest marks just the beginning of many more joyful gatherings to come. About IGP: With offices in India, Singapore, and Dubai, IGP is one of the largest D2C gifting product companies. IGP, International Gifts Platform, is known for its extensive range and offers one of the best-curated collections of festival merchandise, gifts, fresh flowers, cakes, plants, gourmet foods, and personalized products. IGP manufactures its own products and sells them through its own website. IGP's products are also available on other marketplaces. The brand has a global footprint with customers spanning 100+ countries and 1000+ cities in India and has created over 20 million stories of love and joy so far.
