Latest news with #RaggedyAnn
Mint
6 days ago
- 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
7 days ago
- 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?
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Officials confirm Annabelle doll is safe after viral missing rumors
Museum officials have confirmed that the real-life Annabelle doll, known for her "demonically possessed" reputation, has not gone missing despite recent viral rumors. The haunted Raggedy Ann doll, famously featured in The Conjuring universe, is safely housed at the Warrens' Occult Museum in Connecticut, where it has been on display for decades. The rumors began circulating after the Annabelle doll was part of the Devils on the Run Tour, hosted by the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), and made a stop in New Orleans earlier this month. Some visitors claimed they didn't see the doll during the tour, sparking online speculation that the doll had disappeared while in Louisiana. Further fueling the rumors was a fire at the nearby Nottoway Plantation-turned-resort, leading to unfounded connections between the fire and Annabelle's supposed disappearance. NESPR lead investigator Dan Rivera addressed the rumors in a TikTok video, showing the doll securely inside the Warrens' museum case and confirming she was not missing or in Chicago. NESPR also posted a statement on Facebook clarifying, 'Annabelle has NOT been stolen. The doll is safely in place at the Warren Occult Museum.' This is not the first time the doll's disappearance has caused concern. In 2020, Tony Spera, son-in-law of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, similarly reassured the public that Annabelle had not escaped. The Annabelle doll first gained notoriety in the 1970s when the Warrens investigated claims of malicious activity connected to the doll. Since then, Annabelle has become a horror icon, inspiring multiple movies within The Conjuring franchise.
Newsweek
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'Evil' Annabelle Doll Update After 'Missing' Reports Spread
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The team behind the New England Society for Psychic Research have issued an update following reports of a missing haunted doll which sent social media users into a frenzy. They are keen to point out that the public was never in any danger from the Anabelle doll, one of the most infamous 'haunted,' objects in pop culture. Speaking to Newsweek the society's director Tony Spera confirmed the doll's location, shortly after paranormal investigator Ryan Buell took to social media to quash speculation. The Context Anabelle is a Raggedy Ann doll made famous by Ed and Lorraine Warren, a husband-and-wife team of demonologists and paranormal investigators. The Warrens have said the doll is a demonic entity, and it is kept in a glass house at the Warren Occult Museum in Connecticut. The museum has been closed to the public since 2018 due to zoning violations. L: A large-sized Raggedy Ann doll pictured March 25, 2009. The doll from the film 'Annabelle: Creation' during a photocall at U-Bahnhof Rathaus Steglitz on August 17, 2017 in Berlin, Germany. L: A large-sized Raggedy Ann doll pictured March 25, 2009. The doll from the film 'Annabelle: Creation' during a photocall at U-Bahnhof Rathaus Steglitz on August 17, 2017 in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo/Mattoon Journal Gazette, Ken Trevarthan/Sebastian Gabsch/Geisler-Fotopress/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images A version of the doll featured in the 2013 horror movie, The Conjuring, which led to three spinoff movies, Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017), Annabelle Comes Home (2019), further popularizing and cementing it in paranormal pop culture. What To Know A slew of videos hit social media recently, some of which have racked up millions of views, claiming that the doll was missing. But this was untrue. "The doll has never missing," Tony Spera the Director of New England Society for Psychic Research told Newsweek via email. "We had taken the doll on a brief tour to several locations, so paranormal enthusiasts could witness the real Annabelle." The tour had spooked horror fans, as Lorraine Warren previously stated that the doll should never be moved. @christopherkeily, in a TikTok video viewed 2.6 million times as of reporting, said: "The Annabelle doll is missing... Lorraine tried to warn you, she said this doll should never be moved because it's extremely dangerous." And Alex, a TikTok user in a video viewed 2.9 million times as of reporting, said: "Lorraine Warren told you all not to move the Annabelle doll. She said don't move her... Leave the doll alone." "The public was never in any danger and the doll was never missing," Spera told Newsweek. It's not clear exactly what has prompted the storm of speculation about the doll. Some creators have linked the Anabelle doll being on tour to other recent major news events, including the Nottoway Plantation Fire, and the escape of 10 inmates from a jail in New Orleans. Rumors about the doll have been extreme, and people have been seriously spooked. In a video shared on Facebook by Buell, Dan Rivera of the New England Society for Psychic Research explained where the doll is. "Annabelle is in the Warren's Occult Museum," Rivera says in the video. He then films inside of the museum, ultimately capturing the doll in its box. A text overlay on the video then reads "Annabelle is back home resting. For now." What People Are Saying Tony Spera the Director of New England Society for Psychic Research told Newsweek via email: "The doll was never out of our site or control. My team members, Dan Rivera, Chris Gilloren, and Wade Kirby kept her safely secured and guarded. We also traveled with a catholic priest, to ensure the public was safe. The priest frequently blessed the doll (in her protect enclosure), using binding ritualistic prayers." Ryan Buell, a host an executive producer of A&E's "Paranormal State," on Facebook: "Some wild and crazy internet rumors this morning claiming that we lost Annabelle. She/it is NOT lost and here's Dan Rivera with NESPR proving she is back home inside the museum in Connecticut.. for now." @marianneasfu, in a TikTok video viewed 4.7 million times as of reporting: "If you watch the Conjuring and Annabelle movies you will know how evil she truly is... I'll be praying for you all." What's Next Rivera said in the Facebook video that they plan to go to Rock Island Illinois with the doll in October.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘They lost Annabelle?' Internet meltdown over haunted doll - here's what really happened
Annabelle doll (Screengrab from FB video posted by Ryan D. Buell.) The infamous Annabelle doll, known as one of the most feared haunted objects in the world, became the center of an internet firestorm in the past few days after social media users claimed it had mysteriously vanished during a paranormal tour in the US. The doll, currently touring the country as part of the 'Devils on the Run' exhibit, reportedly wasn't visible to visitors at a recent stop, sparking fears, conspiracy theories, and viral panic online. The speculation intensified after a fire broke out at the historic Nottoway Resort in White Castle, Louisiana- just days after Annabelle had been displayed in the state. While officials confirmed that no injuries occurred and dismissed any supernatural link to the blaze, social media users quickly pointed to the doll's presence as a chilling coincidence. 'So the streets are saying after they moved the Annabelle doll out of the Warren museum (when they explicitly said never to move it) she's now gone missing.' one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), echoing the sentiments of thousands who feared the worst. Another exclaimed, 'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN THEY LOST THE ANNABELLE DOLL??? ONE OF THE MOST HAUNTED POSSESSIONS?? THAT ANNABELLE?" Despite the viral meltdown, the panic was short-lived. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Dan Rivera of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), which oversees the Warren Occult Museum's collection, released a video showing the doll safe and sound in its protective glass case back in Connecticut. 'Some wild and crazy internet rumours this morning claiming that we lost Annabelle. She/it is NOT lost,' read the caption alongside the video, posted by Ryan D. Buell. The haunted doll that terrifies millions The Annabelle doll's legend dates back to the 1970s, when it was reportedly given as a gift to a nurse in Hartford, Connecticut. What appeared to be a harmless Raggedy Ann doll soon exhibited disturbing behavior- moving on its own, leaving handwritten notes, and allegedly attacking one of the occupants. The case caught the attention of famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who concluded that the doll wasn't possessed by a child's spirit, but manipulated by a demonic entity. The Warrens took the doll into their care and placed it inside a sealed glass case in their Occult Museum, where it has remained under lock and key- until recently. Though the museum in Monroe, Connecticut, remains closed to the public, Annabelle is currently on a national tour, part of the 'Devils on the Run' exhibit. The event showcases haunted artifacts from the Warrens' collection and has drawn massive interest across the country. In May, the doll made headlines after appearing at the former Moundsville State Penitentiary in West Virginia- a notoriously haunted site. A video of the doll being moved into the penitentiary racked up over 9 million views on TikTok, reigniting public fascination with the paranormal. From horror icon to internet meme Annabelle's legend exploded into the mainstream with the 2014 release of Annabelle, the horror film that spun off from The Conjuring franchise. The series has since grossed more than $800 million globally, turning the doll into a pop culture icon—and a consistent source of real-world fear. Following its West Virginia appearance, Annabelle's tour has included stops in New Orleans and is scheduled to continue in San Antonio, Texas, and other cities, including locations in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. In the meantime, whether the doll ever left the museum or whether the sightings were part of a promotional stunt remains unclear. What is certain, however, is that Annabelle continues to captivate and terrify the public imagination.
