Labubu Madness Explained: Why This ‘Ugly Cute’ Toy Is Suddenly Hollywood’s Top Favorite

(Photo courtesy of Modern Parenting)

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If you've been paying attention to your Instagram feed lately, you’ve most likely stumbled upon the ultra-viral “ugly cute” plush with the pointy ears and mischievous smirk: Labubu.

From Blackpink’s Lisa and Rosé to Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and even Thai Princess, this oddly adorable little monster has charmed its way into the hearts of the world’s most stylish.

The plush toy’s sudden surge in popularity has unsurprisingly landed it in the hands of top influencers, many of whom proudly showed off their hard-earned Labubu collections online.

And now, Labubu mania has officially gone global, with no signs of slowing down. Social media is overflowing with people dressing up their Labubu in full designer outfits, consisting of tiny shirts, pants, dresses, handbags, jewelry, shoes, and hats. Think that’s over the top? Some have taken it further—tattooing their Labubu, bringing them to church for blessings (yes, with priests happily playing along), giving them full glam sessions with makeup and manicures, and even replacing the bridal bouquet at weddings with a Labubu toss that has guests scrambling to catch it.

With all the chaos very much real, keep reading to discover what the Labubu craze is all about—and how this tiny troublemaker ended up hypnotizing literal grown adults!

What is Labubu?

Labubu made a surprise appearance in the front row at Pronounce’s Fall 2024 show in Milan.
(Photo courtesy of WWD)

Labubu dolls are crafted by Pop Mart, a Chinese retailer famous for its clever “blind boxes,” which contain randomized designs, meaning each purchase is always a delightful surprise. Influencers “manifesting” their dream Labubu color might be having fun, but they could be slightly missing the whole point of what manifestation really means.

Regardless, that built-in surprise has undeniably added to their collectible charm, especially with unboxing videos blowing up all over social media.

Pop Mart has rolled out over 300 Labubu variations in the past few years, each series bringing something new to the table. But things really took off in 2023 when they released the first-ever keychain version of the quirky little plush gremlin.

Recent product drops in Australia have drawn crowds forming lines that snake around city blocks, with dedicated Aussie collectors setting alarms for 3 a.m. to be first through the doors at Pop Mart, the official distributor (per The Guardian).

Even a Pop Mart spokesperson, perhaps genuinely amazed—or just masterfully exaggerating—described this frenzy for plush toys and collectible miniatures as a phenomenon gripping Australia “like never before.”

The Artist Who Created a Monster

Kasing Lung, the illustrator and artist behind Labubu

Interestingly, Labubu didn’t begin life as a plush toy—he first appeared in 2015 as part of Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung’s whimsical children's book series, The Monsters, before partnering with Pop Mart in 2019. 

Lung drew inspiration from Nordic mythology, creating characters described as “zestful curious elves about the size of your average house cat, who love a bit of harmless mischief.” Labubu started off as just a minor character—a small, good-hearted creature sporting pointy ears and jagged teeth, whose attempts at helping always “hilariously backfire.”

BLACKPINK Lisa’s Labubu Addiction Is the Reason Everyone Wants One Now

Lisa’s tight hug around the oversized Labubu says everything.
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

The Labubu craze took off in a big way after Blackpink’s Lisa was seen carrying the plush in both its full-sized and miniature keychain forms, instantly turning the toy into an unstoppable trend.

In an interview with Variety, Lisa openly shared just how obsessed she is with Labubus. “I can’t stop talking about Labubus,” she expressed. “I’ve been going crazy for them for almost a year, but now I can’t really get new Labubus. They’re really hard to find. I’m kind of sad.”

She even shared her Labubu count—but it’s not as many as you'd expect.

“For the latest collection, I only got three or four. I want the whole box, but it’s really hard to get,” she said. 

Lisa has long been obsessed with Pop Mart charms in general, not just Labubu dolls. 

Lisa beams as she flaunts her adorable bag charms (and who wouldn’t be smiling with those in tow?)
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

The K-pop artist shared a snapshot at Coachella earlier this year, flaunting one of the company's other famous creations, Cry Baby keychains (per Rolling Stone).

In a recent Vanity Fair interview, Lisa confessed that her fascination with Labubu first sparked when close friends in Thailand introduced her to the toys. She was hooked, jokingly admitting she blew through her money trying to collect as many as possible. 

Lisa's Secret Obsession with POP MART | Vanity Fair

“I spent all my money. I go to Pop Mart everywhere if I fly to New York, I go to Miami, I try to find Pop Mart there, Paris. Kinda like finding treasure,” the first K-pop soloist to win the MTV award twice said. 

With Lisa at the heart of Labubu’s global craze, a collaboration almost feels inevitable. Her reaction to the idea of a “Lisa Labubu” said it all: “That would be a lot of fun. It would blow up the internet.”

At this point, it’s not a matter of “if”—it’s “when.”

Labubu is the Official Celebrity and Royalty It-Bag Charm

Serving looks as always, Dua Lipa rocked a flawless airport fit, complete with the must-have accessory of the moment: Labubu.
(Photo courtesy of monchoubb via Threads)

Labubu mania truly took off once the dolls transformed into accessories. Ever since, the keyring versions have been vanishing from online shops within minutes, thanks to the booming bag-charm trend that has everyone decorating their totes with the quirkiest finds. 

Naturally, celebrities jumped on board too, happily flaunting the cute-ugly charm like it’s the season’s must-have.

With their signature “ugly-cute” vibe—sharp-toothed grins, tall bunny ears, and a perpetually mischievous expression—Labubu dolls have charmed their way into even the elite Hollywood circle. 

Bryan Yambao paired his Hermès Birkin with a playful crew of four Labubu dolls.
(Photo courtesy of WWD)

Stars like Dua Lipa, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian have all been seen flaunting them on their luxury handbags.

The Labubu mania has even gone regal. The Thai royal family is particularly smitten—Princess Ubol Ratana, daughter of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was seen carrying an oversized Labubu doll during her visit to China last summer (per WWD). 

At one point, her security guard even carried it in a transparent backpack while she handled official engagements. A video of her casually holding the plush while enjoying ice cream quickly went viral across Chinese social media.

How Much Does a Labubu Actually Cost?

BLACKPINK’s Rosé has evidently fallen under Labubu’s spell.
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

Labubu is getting the royal treatment these days—some of them look more styled and polished than the celebrities they hang out with, often seen swinging from designer handbags carried by A-listers and supermodels. It makes you wonder: how much does it really cost to become a proud Labubu owner?

In mainland China, standard blind box figures usually sell for anywhere between US$13.50 and US$28. If you’re eyeing the bigger vinyl plush dolls—like the “Time to Chill” series—expect to pay around US$108.

Meanwhile, some popular editions fetch around A$300 on eBay, while certain ultra-desirable models listed on Pop Mart’s official website command a jaw-dropping A$1,580.

If you're ready to splurge and join the craze, just do it guilt-free; your obsession has the ultimate celebrity stamp of approval.

People Are Literally Losing Sleep to Score a Labubu

Unboxing a Labubu blind box never fails to hold your breath hostage. 
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

Kamolwan Pohfah, a 21-year-old university student, told CNN she woke up extra early just to beat the crowds and secure the latest Labubu drop. She admitted her first impression wasn't exactly love at first sight—“It was kind of ugly,” she said. But after constantly seeing it all over social media and noticing how obsessed her friends had become, she found herself equally hooked.

Labubu’s color palette is pure eye candy.
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

Emily Jong, a 27-year-old tourist visiting from Australia, also joined the early morning queue, hoping to snag a charm hours before her flight home. Unfortunately, she left empty-handed: “We tried to line up but we didn’t know we have to register,” she explained.

Meanwhile, 53-year-old Hathairus Mekborisut managed to score a coveted box set containing six Labubu pendants. Though her main goal was reselling, she revealed she'd keep one special charm named “Luck” for herself, adding she'd been “longing” specifically for a purple Labubu.

Another reseller, identifying herself only by the nickname “Mai,” arrived with a small team ready to buy as many charms as possible. She shared that she regularly sells these plush collectibles overseas, easily fetching double the original retail price.

What Makes Labubu Dolls So Wildly Popular?

Its quirky grin has a strange way of pulling you in.
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

Labubu’s explosive rise to fame boils down to five standout factors—and they might just explain why this oddball plush is more than a passing fad.

• Unique Aesthetic: Unlike the overly sweet, cookie-cutter dolls found just about everywhere, Labubu stands out with its signature “ugly-cute” look—fuzzy body, big eyes, spiky teeth, and all. It’s a magnet for those who love characters that are quirky, offbeat, and full of personality.
  
  
• Blind Box Collectibility: You don’t know what you’re getting until you open it—that’s the whole point. Labubu dolls come in thrilling blind boxes, making the experience feel like a lucky dip that keeps fans guessing (and buying again).
  
  
• Celebrity Endorsements: Celebrities have a knack for turning the unexpected into the iconic. So when Lisa, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa started flaunting their Labubu dolls, the rest of the world followed suit. Their love for Labubu turned the plush into a full-on fashion statement (and who wouldn’t want to follow in those adorable footsteps?).
  
  
• Social Media Buzz: Labubu has quite literally invaded social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where endless unboxing clips and fan-filled communities have turned the plush into a global icon with a cult following.
  
  
• Adult Collectors: Though technically made for kids, Labubu dolls have captured the hearts of adults craving a dose of nostalgia and comfort, fitting perfectly into the rising “kidult” trend.

Your Labubu Deserves Tiffany, Too

A post shared by Sara (@sara_at_tiffany)

https://www.tiktok.com/@sara_at_tiffany/video/7504376381007023368

If you've also fallen under Labubu's weird spell, you’re definitely not to blame. These plush collectibles are quirky, adorable, and somehow impossible not to love.

For those totally smitten with their Labubu, it might be time to show them some love. Spoil your precious Labubu with some exquisite jewelry from Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, or even “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers,” Cartier. After all, a plush this cute deserves a full glam treatment!

But here's a pro tip: luxury doesn't have to break the bank if you shop secondhand (aka preloved) from online platforms like ZenLuxe. There, you'll discover an extensive collection of authentic jewelry from the world’s top luxury houses—all at prices far below retail, in pristine condition, and perfect for both your Labubu and yourself.

Complete the ensemble by snagging a gently-used designer handbag—think Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, or Miu Miu—as the ultimate stylish perch for your toothy pal. 

When your Labubu is a girl, naturally she's dressed head-to-toe in pink!
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

Enjoy the thrill of luxury shopping and let the ZenLuxe pros handle the rest; your picks arrive perfectly packaged, delivered right to where your Labubu lives (your home—and your heart!)

About The Writer

Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?).