Latest news with #TikTokDrama
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TikTok videos of Sylvanian Families drinking and dealing drugs sparks legal battle
A lawsuit has been filed against a viral Tik Tok creator who makes dramatic videos of Sylvanian family toys drinking, dealing drugs and enacting violence. The videos, posted under the username @sylvaniandrama, tell outrageous stories featuring the toys including breaking fellow fury friends out of hostage situations, cheating on their partners and running each other over with toy cars. Japanese toymakers Epoch Company have filed an infringement case in the US, claiming the videos have caused 'irreparable damage' to its reputation. Irish creator and owner of the TikTok account, Thea von Engelbrechten, responded by filing a counternotice, claiming her videos are 'parody.' While the toys are intended for children, Sylvanian Drama uses the animals to explore adult themes, often embellishing them with fake eyelashes, jewellery and weapons to set the scene. Sylvanian Drama has amassed 2.5 million followers on TikTok and over 66 million likes, along with an additional one million followers on Instagram. The account which also posts on YouTube, X and Facebook has partnered with several brands for advertising campaigns, including luxury fashion houses Marc Jacobs and Burberry, and the online streaming service Netflix. When asked why she thought her videos were so popular in interview with Fohr, von Engelbrechten said: 'Maybe it's because it's coming from the voice of a 22-year-old who struggles with the same things as [they do]. 'I have a lot of storylines about insecure people, diet culture, toxic men, and sustainability, which I think other girls my age are also thinking a lot about." Court documents filed by Epoch in New York on July 4, first reported by the BBC, accused Von Engelbrechten of infringing the company's copyright without its permission, causing irreparable injury to its reputation. A date has been set for 14 August for a pre-trial conference where legal teams from both sides will meet to explore settlement options or prepare the case for trial. The small furry animal toys, first launched in 1985, are animal families – a mother, father, son and daughter, with species including cats, dogs, bears and foxes. The wholesome toys have names including the Walnut Squirrel Family, the Marmalade Bear Family and the Cottontail Rabbit Family. Epoch also produces accessories for the toys including caravans, bicycles, cottages and bakeries.
Fast Company
28-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
TikTok's latest villain (or hero)? A spell-casting Etsy seller
A woman paid a witch on Etsy for a love spell. Instead of following through, the witch found the man online and sent him screenshots of the conversation. Now, people are calling it a WIPPA violation. 'Guys the Etsy witch told on me,' @andtheg4gis cried in a TikTok posted on Monday. 'I said the guy's name, his birthday and stuff, and she literally DM'd him on Instagram and exposed me.' The video has since been viewed 2.4 million times and spread across other social media platforms. 'Imagine getting a 'hey girly' text from a witch,' one person commented. Many in the comments are calling for the TikTok user to drop the name of the Etsy seller, just so they know who to avoid. Some are calling for her to report the witch for violating her trust. As a former Etsy witch, either she was a hater or you wanted something HENIOUS,' one wrote. Other's are less sympathetic. 'Honestly good on the Etsy witch,' one person commented. The ethical considerations of love spells, if you believe they exist, are complex. 'I mean that sucks but that's also what you get for trying to use a love spell on someone,' wrote another. Fast Company has reached out to @andtheg4gis for comment. The $2.3 Billion Business of Belief Love spells are a thriving cottage industry on TikTok and Etsy. A quick search found over 1000 results of love spells for sale, starting from as little as $0.78, up to $5000+. Fast Company can not verify the legitimacy of these spells; use at your own risk. A ' commitment spell ' to help you 'get that ring' is currently on sale for $45. The seller has 2,750 reviews. Another seller, with over 150 reviews, offers a ' Dark Bind ' spell currently on sale for $49.70. Send over the name, age, gender, your relationship to the subject and a brief explanation. Adding a photo is optional, but does claim to strengthen the spell—which is available in two intensities. Psychic services, including spells, are big business. About 3 in 10 Americans make use of astrology, tarot cards or fortune tellers at least once a year, according to a nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center. The industry, which includes various specialties such as astrology, palm-reading, psychic readings and fortune telling, generated an estimated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024 and employed 105,000 people, according to market research firm IBIS World. While 20% use these services 'just for fun,' according to Pew, about 1% rely on what they learn from these practices for major life decisions. If you can't trust witches, who can you trust?
