Walmart and Target Pull the Wicked Dolls

Walmart and Target have pulled the popular Wicked dolls featuring the characters Elphaba, voiced by Cynthia Erivo, and Glinda, portrayed by Ariana Grande, from their shelves due to a packaging mishap that has created a whirlwind of buzz online. While many of these dolls have officially been taken off the market following the scandal, it seems that a few have managed to slip through the cracks, creating a frenzy among collectors and fans alike.

The Packaging Mishap

The controversy erupted when it was discovered that the packaging for the dolls contained a misprint. Instead of directing customers to the official film website, Wickedmovie.com, it instead led to an inappropriate adults-only site—raising concerns and prompting a swift response from the dolls' manufacturer, Mattel. A representative addressed the issue in a statement, ensuring parents were informed and advising those who purchased the dolls to either obscure the faulty link or discard the packaging entirely.

Recalled or Discontinued?

While some reports claim the dolls have been recalled, others believe they have simply been discontinued. Nonetheless, the limited availability has caused the dolls to skyrocket in demand, with prices soaring among collectors. TikTok user Abby Plata documented her thrilling quest to snag the Glinda doll at her local Walmart in Illinois, an adventure that quickly captured the attention of viewers.

The Collector's Quest

In her video, Abby and her sister make their way to self-checkout to purchase the elusive doll, priced at $27.47. Despite the initial hesitation of the checkout system, a Walmart employee intervened to manually enter the item. Abby excitedly noted this interaction in her post, hinting at the doll's controversial status.

A Fan's Perspective

“My sister and I bought it for the memes,” Abby revealed in an interview. “Seeing how everything unfolded online made us curious.” Despite the doll's misfortune, Abby doesn’t plan to sell her find, calling it a “cool collectible” due to her loyalty as an Ariana Grande fan.

Community Reactions

What's particularly interesting is that many viewers of her video have chimed in to share their own experiences of spotting the dolls at various Walmart locations, with some stating they found them available even after the recall announcement. One viewer commented, “When I went on Monday, they weren’t recalled yet,” revealing the inconsistency in stores' handling of the dolls.

Speculations on Future Value

The craze surrounding these dolls has led to individuals speculating about their future value. Many assert that the misprinted Wicked dolls will eventually become highly sought-after collectibles, with prices already surfacing around $149.99 on platforms like eBay.

A Collectible Phenomenon

As the story unfolds and more shoppers continue to discover these dolls in stores, one thing is clear: the Wicked dolls are becoming a sensation that goes beyond mere toys, transforming into a collectible phenomenon that reflects a unique intersection of pop culture, marketing mishaps, and the fervor of fans. Stay tuned to see how this crazy saga develops!