Following the excitement surrounding labubu dolls, reborn dolls, and hyper-realistic baby dolls have captivated Brazil. Social media is inundated with videos of individuals feeding, rocking, and even bringing these dolls to parks, hospitals, and parliament. While some individuals perceive them as intriguing or therapeutic, others experience a sense of discomfort. What, then, is the reason for the reborn doll craze?
Following the recent fascination with Labubu dolls on the internet, a new trend has emerged that is capturing attention: ‘reborn’ dolls.
These incredibly lifelike baby dolls, crafted to resemble actual newborns (complete with every vein and wrinkle), have become immensely popular in Brazil.
In recent weeks, social media has been inundated with videos of individuals feeding, cradling, and even bringing these dolls to hospitals. While some viewers find them intriguing or therapeutic, others are somewhat unsettled and cannot look away.
The phenomenon has escalated to the point where several Brazilian lawmakers have introduced reborn dolls into legislative discussions, igniting debates on whether this trend represents harmless art or if it requires regulation.
So, what is truly happening with these dolls—and why is there so much buzz surrounding them? Let us delve deeper.
What is the excitement surrounding ‘reborn’ dolls?
What began as a niche interest among collectors has exploded into a widespread viral sensation on social media.
As reported by The New York Times, some of these videos have garnered millions of views—one video alone has over 16 million views on TikTok. In these clips, women are depicted pushing the dolls in strollers at parks, hosting birthday celebrations complete with cake and songs, and even mimicking nosebleeds or potty training.
A particular video sparked controversy when it seemed that someone had brought a reborn doll to a hospital emergency room. The collector later clarified that it was a role-playing scenario, but this did not prevent the widespread sharing of the video as if it were genuine.
Juliana Drusz Magri, a 36-year-old human resources professional from Curitiba in the state of Paraná, has been collecting reborn dolls since 2018 and currently possesses 22 of them. In an interview with The New York Times, she remarked, “The ones I like the most are the newborns.”
She further stated, “The realm of make-believe serves as an escape for me. And, no, I do not treat it as a real baby.”
The dolls have also made their mark in popular culture. They were recently featured in an episode of Vale Tudo, a prominent telenovela, and even made an appearance in a trending rap song that humorously depicts a gang strolling down the street “kicking reborn dolls.”
Legislators take notice
Reports indicate that the city council of Rio de Janeiro has enacted a bill recognizing the skilled artists responsible for the creation of hyper-realistic “reborn” baby dolls. This legislation is now pending approval from the mayor of the city.
Daniela Baccan, co-owner of a reborn doll shop in Campinas, São Paulo, informed the media that prices vary from 700 reais (approximately Rs 10,500) to nearly 10,000 reais (over Rs 1.5 lakh), depending on the materials used and the level of craftsmanship. Most dolls are made from silicone or vinyl.
Nevertheless, not everyone is pleased with the existence of reborn dolls. A lawmaker from Amazonas even brought a doll into the parliament, advocating for a prohibition on dolls receiving care within the state’s public health system. However, local media have reported that health authorities have never documented any such incidents.
Last week, Congresswoman Talíria Petrone criticized her fellow lawmakers for concentrating on this issue. “Can we focus on what truly matters? If someone wishes to own a doll, let them. I have two real children, and they are more than enough work,” she stated.
Many individuals have raised questions about the actual comfort or therapeutic value a doll can provide. One commenter remarked, “I don’t comprehend how these can be therapeutic… how can a lifeless doll do anything but remind one of loss?”
Another user commented, “They are exceptionally well crafted. For nurse training or rescue operations, yes. However, they appear so lifelike that it’s unsettling.”
As the controversy intensifies, doll shop proprietors have started enhancing security measures. “We are securing the store more, adding cameras,” Baccan mentioned. “Yet, concurrently, online demand has surged, and the store is experiencing a significantly higher influx of customers.”
‘It is art, not madness.’
For those who create and nurture reborn dolls, the recent surge in attention appears to be a misdirected backlash. The majority of collectors are women who assert that these dolls offer grief therapy or emotional support.
In an AP video, a group of ‘reborn mothers’ was observed gathering for their 10th annual meetup in São Paulo. They contend that criticism should be directed towards social media influencers who sensationalize the trend, rather than towards individuals who genuinely derive comfort from the dolls.
Berenice Maria, a nursing assistant and owner of eight reborn dolls, stated, ‘I adore reborns, despite the negativity we encounter. I wish to have the freedom to take them out… to the mall, to the park.’
Artist Larissa Vedolin expressed that the backlash has escalated to aggression. ‘I receive daily threats via social media,’ she informed The Guardian.
Anthropologist Isabela Kalil posits that much of the outrage originates from societal biases regarding how women allocate their time and finances. ‘Adult men can collect action figures or engage in video gaming without attracting scrutiny. However, adult women are not afforded the same privilege of leisure,’ Kalil remarked.
Vedolin also defended her creations as authentic art. ‘These are not mere toys, but rather artistic works,’ she asserted. Nevertheless, the emotional impact on artists has intensified due to the online hostility.
‘I know artists who have been in tears all day because they cannot bear to check their social media without facing insults on every video and photo they share. To me, this reaction is rooted in hatred – people simply seek something to despise,’ she concluded.
