I’ve spent over $20,000 on my 18 very realistic dolls – my friends say it’s CREEPY but I don’t care

A mother-of-three has revealed that she has spent more than $20,000 on reborn dolls, even though her friends find it ‘creepy.’

Kam, an office manager, started her collection in December 2020 after her daughters asked for dolls from Santa Claus.

The Florida native had never heard of reborn babies before but upon Googling, was instantly drawn in by their unique look and realness.

Since then, her obsession has seen her collect 18 dolls and spend $20,000 in the last three years.

Kam, an office manager from Florida, started her collection in December 2020 after her daughters asked for dolls from Santa Claus

‘They [daughters] love the dolls as I do and my youngest, who is three, likes me to take pictures of her holding them. It’s another way for us all to bond together,’ Kam said

‘I became so enthralled with them from start to finish, each reborn is truly a work of art,’ Kam said.

‘They are a form of art that brings me pleasure just as artwork does for a lot of people.

‘Collecting high end art dolls is not different than collecting paintings or sculptures to display in the home.

‘While I don’t display my dolls in this way I do get great enjoyment from posing them and taking pictures of them.

‘Another reason I enjoy them so much is because I am able to share this hobby with my daughters.

‘They love the dolls as I do, and my youngest, who is three, likes me to take pictures of her holding them. It’s another way for us all to bond together.

‘I enjoy this hobby because I have met some of the best people in my almost three years of collecting.

‘These are people who mostly I haven’t met in person yet but who have proved to be such genuinely amazing, thoughtful, caring and selfless people.’

‘Collecting high end art dolls is not different than collecting paintings or sculptures to display in the home.’ Pictured is Kam holding a ‘sleeping’ doll

Kam said she didn’t cuddle her dolls, but she did dress them in different outfits and posed them up

Kam sees her reborn dolls as a collection rather than a family and is very careful with them day-to-day.

‘I do not cuddle my dolls. I do dress them in different outfits and pose them to look like a real baby but I don’t treat them as real babies,’ she said.

‘But, all in all, they are part of an art collection. I enjoy them and I do have an attachment to them but I don’t believe I have an emotional connection with them most times.’

The office manager buys most of her babies from Rosana Ritacco, an artist from Brazil, and now has 18 in her possession. The artist has 199,000 followers on Instagram. 

‘These dolls are really, really expensive, if you want the ones that look the most realistic,’ Kam explained.

‘Full-body silicone dolls are even more expensive. I don’t have any of those, mine are all vinyl.

‘I have 18 with two on the way, but I’ve had as many as 30 dolls at one time.’

However, not all of her friends and family are supportive of her hobby.

She buys most of her babies from Rosana Ritacco, an artist from Brazil, and now has a whopping 18 in her possession. The artist has 199,000 followers on Instagram

‘These dolls are really, really expensive. Full-body silicone dolls are even more expensive. I don’t have any of those, mine are all vinyl,’ Kam added

‘I get different reactions from everyone. My daughters, of course, love my dolls and my husband, lovingly, thinks I’m a nerd,’ she said.

‘My mom thinks the dolls are amazing for the artistry. My dad doesn’t really care one way or the other.

‘My one sister thinks it’s a big waste of money while another says “to each their own.”

‘Some of my friends are completely creeped out by dolls in general.

‘I think most people do not understand but they also respect me so they don’t give me a hard time about it.’

However, these mixed reactions didn’t stop her from continuing her hobby as she aimed to continue buying the dolls.

‘There are so many wonderful people I have met over the course of these last three years,’ Kam said.

‘However, there are a lot of people who are super negative, overly judgmental and downright mean.

‘They thrive on this negativity and are so entitled they truly believe they can do whatever they want – those people make this hobby, toxic.

‘Some of my friends are completely creeped out by dolls in general. I think most people do not understand but they also respect me so they don’t give me a hard time about it,’ Kam said

‘I have only taken my dolls out in public twice. Everyone was so amazed at how realistic the doll was. Most thought it was a real baby at first. That was fun,’ she added

‘I try to stay away from drama as much as possible, my self-worth is not dependent on this hobby.’

Even though Kam has had some negative responses she also receives positive ones when out in public.

‘I have only taken my dolls out in public twice. Everyone was so amazed at how realistic the doll was,’ she recalled.

‘Most thought it was a real baby at first. That was fun. The other time was when I met a doll friend at a small café.

‘There weren’t many people there. I don’t believe we got any weird looks.’

Encouraging people to join in on the unusual hobby, Kam advised them to always do their research.

‘Know that these dolls are expensive and the more realistic, the more it costs,’ she said.

‘Know that it’s a very addictive hobby. It’s very easy to get one doll thinking that’s all you’ll ever have and then up with 50.

‘Sounds exaggerated but it happens all the time.’