Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Mattel Speaks Out After Link On 'Wicked' Doll Packaging Accidentally Leads To NSFW Website

Glinda Mattel doll
@just2good/X, Universal Pictures

The toy company says it "deeply" regrets the error, and is advising anyone who has purchased the Wicked dolls to "discard the product packaging or obscure the link."

Make us preferred on Google

The wizard will see you now. But not at Wicked.com.

Toy company Mattel learned the hard way that merch vetting is everything, especially weblinks on the packaging.


Known for its valuable brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, Mattel apologized after the original packaging for dolls representing characters from the upcoming movie adaptation of the 2003 Broadway musical Wicked included a link to an adult entertainment web address.

In an official statement to the Huffington Post, Mattel wrote:

“Mattel was made aware of a misprint on the packaging of the Mattel ‘Wicked’ collection dolls, primarily sold in the U.S., which intended to direct consumers to the official WickedMovie.com landing page."

The original packaging for the Wicked dolls included the naughty URL, indicated as www.wicked.com, without the word "movie" attached.

Curious consumers who visited the erroneous link and verified they were over 18 saw thumbnail images of "award-winning" adult content titles and an announcement for an upcoming exclusive movie, Kenzie Loves Girls 2
according to many reports.

Photos of the NSFW promotional snafu went viral on X (formerly Twitter), including ones shared by YouTuber Sarah Genao.

Here's a photo of the product featuring Ariana Grande's Glinda.

@just2goodYT/X

And here is the back of the packaging with the erroneous link, seen above the bar code.

@just2goodYT/X



When someone asked if this was real, the user shared video proof.

In the follow-up clip, the user held up the box for Mattel's doll of Elphaba's paraplegic younger sister, Nessarose Thropp, turned it around, and showed viewers the wrong URL on the box.

The Internet had plenty to say in response to the bungled Mattel and Universal Pictures collab.





Was it an unintended masterstroke?


Mattel continued:

“We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this."
" Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children."
"Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel Customer Service for further information.”

The dolls of Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba were created in conjunction with Universal Pictures.

While the products with the X-rated link on the boxes originally retailed between $24.99 and $39.99, they were reportedly going for upwards of $80 to $100 on eBay, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The entertainment outlet also noted that the domain name for Wicked.com has been registered to its owner since 1994, a year before the Wicked novel, on which the Broadway musical was loosely based, was published.

Meanwhile, the toys with the wrong web address on the boxes are being pulled from various retailers including Walmart, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Best Buy, DSW, and Amazon.com.

Wicked, the movie, will be released in theaters on November 22, and is expected to make a huge splash all over the box office.

More from Trending

Screenshot of Donald Trump
@Acyn/X

Trump Blasted After Sharing Unhinged Story About Anonymous 'Very Obese' Friend Who Is Taking 'Fat Drugs' In Bonkers Clip

President Donald Trump was criticized after he, in a bizarre moment while discussing the high cost of GLP-1 drugs in the United States, shared a story about a "very obese" friend of his who is on "fat drugs" that don't appear to be working.

Trump's administration has previously taken credit for a decline in prices, citing deals with drugmakers and the launch of the direct-to-consumer platform TrumpRx.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha Obama
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Michelle Obama's Candid Comments About Why She Doesn't 'Miss' Her Kids Has Moms Everywhere Applauding

The stereotype of the weeping mother unable to cope with her children beginning preschool, or kindergarten, or graduating from high school, or going off to college was shattered by former First Lady Michelle Obama during a recent appearance by Jon Stewart on her IMO (In My Opinion) with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast.

While pop culture has reinforced the trope of empty nester moms unable to cope when their children gain independence, the former FLOTUS told Stewart she feels free now that her daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, now 28 and 25 years old respectively, have moved out on their own.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @nikolcosmetics's TikTok
@nikolcosmetics/TikTok

Former Waitress Sparks Debate After Explaining Why Tipping Isn't About 'Entitlement' In Viral TikTok Video

You can tell a lot about a person based on how they treat people who work in the service industry or in retail.

That includes not only one-on-one interactions with employees and restaurant servers, but also how someone speaks about tipping after a dining experience.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @spicycokezero's TikTok
@spicycokezero/TikTok

Woman Shares Nightmare First Date After 'Condescending' Guy Bizarrely Insulted Her Height And Intelligence

While dating can be fun, there are inevitably going to be some disappointing experiences thrown into the mix, simply because we're not meant to match with every other single person out there.

But there are some people who ignore dating etiquette entirely, from how they portray themselves to how they treat their dates, and take the date from something lackluster to something better suited for a TV drama or to be told around a campfire.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates defeating Jaime Faria of Portugal in the Men's Singles Second Round.
Julian Finney/Getty Images

Tennis Star Carlos Alcaraz Had A Hilarious Wardrobe Malfunction At The US Open—And Fans Are Cracking Up

Tennis fans came for the action at the U.S. Open, but Carlos Alcaraz’s wardrobe ended up stealing some of the spotlight.

The defending champion and World No. 3 returned to competitive singles last Monday after a four-month layoff due to a right wrist injury, facing Roman Safiullin in the opening round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less