Kaylah Walton
Mattel is struggling to manage the fallout after an embarrassing error where a link to an adult site was mistakenly included on the packaging of dolls related to the movie Wicked. The company is now engaged in significant damage control to mitigate the impact of this blunder.
Mattel addressed the issue in a statement on Sunday, acknowledging the printing mishap: “Mattel has identified a printing mistake on the packaging of the Mattel Wicked doll collection, predominantly sold in the US, which was supposed to lead consumers to the official WickedMovie.com website.
“We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking swift action to correct it. We advise parents that the incorrect website is inappropriate for children. Those who possess the product are encouraged to dispose of the packaging or cover the link, and to reach out to Mattel customer service for further assistance.”
Mattel’s major blunder with its dolls
The incident gained attention over the weekend when several customers began posting pictures online showing the packaging with a link to Wicked.com, a pornographic site, rather than the intended Wickedmovie.com.
The hazardous link, deemed Not Safe For Work (NSFW), appeared on the boxes of dolls representing Glinda and Elphaba, characters from Wicked, portrayed in the film by pop star Ariana Grande and acclaimed actress Cynthia Erivo.
A setback for Ariana Grande’s career
The affected dolls were sold at retailers like Target, Kohl’s, and Amazon, with unsold units being swiftly removed from sale. This scandal comes just ahead of the film’s release, slated for November 22, 2024, which features a cast that includes Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang, and Peter Dinklage.
Notably, Ariana Grande is currently dating her co-star, Ethan Slater, with filming having begun in December 2022 while she was still married to her now ex-spouse, Dalton Gomez.
Shortly after the start of filming, speculations regarding her relationship with Slater emerged after he separated from his long-time partner, Lilly Jay. This breakup led to Jay expressing her frustrations publicly about the situation, particularly as they share a child.
At the time, Jay stated: “It’s really Grande’s narrative, not a young girl’s. My family is just collateral damage.”
In response, Ariana took to the media to discuss her new relationship, stating: “No one cares more or works harder for the people they love. There is no one with a better heart, and no gossip magazine can rewrite that.”
Additionally, Slater addressed the situation in an interview with GQ, clarifying: “There were a lot of significant changes happening privately. It’s tough to see people speculate and get things wrong about those you care about.”
He continued, “But it’s been an amazing year, something truly beautiful, and I’m really excited.”
