A man who collects celebrity dolls, including one of Britney Spears in a rhinestone jumpsuit, says people don’t understand why his obsession brings him so much joy.
Grant has spent three years building a £23,000 doll collection featuring the Spice Girls and Mary-Kate and Ashley.
The 31-year-old says the hoard brings him joy and comfort.
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“At first, it felt like completing something I began as a child,” Grant told What’s the Jam.
“My love for dolls never went away, and it brought me so much peace and joy and comfort to be able to own dolls that I’d always wanted when I was a kid, but didn’t have.
“Now, I’m very lucky that I get to share my collection with people online and allow people to reconnect with memories from their childhood.
“We all deserve to have something that we’re passionate about and something that brings us peace, joy and comfort.”
On the dolls’ appeal, he said: “The dolls definitely feel like pop culture artefacts.
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“They feel like little time capsules documenting iconic people, fashion, and moments.
“There are so many dolls in my collection that carry emotional and nostalgic connections.
“Two in particular are my Alice in Wonderland doll that my grandmother gifted me, and my Jane from Tarzan doll, which I distinctly remember playing with at my grandmother’s house.”
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The retail technician emphasised that he keeps his collection in strict conditions, in glass cabinets, away from the sunlight.
Grant explained: “All of my dolls are stored in temperature and humidity-controlled spaces.
“I keep most of my dolls inside glass cabinets so that they don’t get dusty.
“I don’t allow any sunlight into the spaces where my dolls are stored.
“I prefer to restore and repair a doll so that it can look the way it looked when it was first sold on shelves and I usually will only do work on a doll to restore it back to its original appearance and condition.”
Grant’s collection spans multiple eras, with a focus on the 1990s and early 2000s.
His shelves are dominated by famous female figures, including Brandy, Selena Quintanilla and Princess Diana.
The collection also includes 1960s Barbies to early-2000s Bratz dolls, Disney figures, Monster High dolls and rare celebrity collectibles.
Some are worth thousands of dollars.
He said: “I appreciate that dolls represent specific moments in time and you can look at a doll and notice how the fashions change from era to era.
“I idolised so many famous actors and singers, so when there is a doll of a celebrity, it is like my two favourite things coming together, dolls and famous icons.”
Growing up with two older sisters, Barbie dolls were always part of Grant’s world.
He said: “I was very lucky as a child to have been able to play with dolls.
“When I was very young, I loved the Mary-Kate and Ashley dolls and wanted to have as many of them as I could.
“I got to play with my sisters’ Barbie dolls.
“I do remember going to Toys ‘R’ Us and buying my first Mary-Kate and Ashley Doll, with my mom.
“Being able to have parents who accept and support me loving the things I love is the greatest gift.
“It wasn’t until 2022 or 2023 that I officially began serious collecting.
“Prior to then, I loved to watch doll collectors on YouTube and social media, and I always dreamed of someday having my own collection.
“It wasn’t until I saw somebody who was collecting the Mary-Kate and Ashley dolls, and that made me realise that there was someone else like me out there who wasn’t afraid to embrace it.”
Despite the rising value of vintage and celebrity dolls, Grant – who lives in New York – insists he’s not in it for profit.
And he prefers dolls that are in mint condition, with complete outfits and accessories included.
Grant said: “Honestly, I try to find the best price or deal.
“I really do prefer when the dolls look like who they are supposed to look like – however, I do find it fun sometimes when the doll’s likeness is shockingly questionable.
“I have passed on some because they don’t look like the person.
“I always try to look for dolls that are in a condition where if a restoration is needed, it is at least doable.
“Sometimes a doll is non-salvageable.”
While his hobby inspires a lot of curiosity, sometimes people don’t understand Grant’s hobby, he admits.
He added: “Some people do not like dolls that are meant to represent a real-life person, they may feel it’s very uncanny.
“But some collectors like myself love to see their favourite celebrities and icons represented in doll form.
“So I get both sides of the coin.
“Luckily, for me, many people seem to find my collecting intriguing and fascinating.
“People often ask what kind of dolls I collect, they will ask to see pictures and are often very supportive.
“Sometimes people will say, ‘So you collect and then do you sell them?’ and they don’t quite understand the concept of collecting for keeping and displaying, they initially think that it is a financial game.
“But for me, I don’t ever buy something with the intention of reselling it.
“I will sell something only if it no longer brings me joy.”
Grant added: “There absolutely are many misconceptions about adult doll collectors.
“A lot of people think that we are collecting to heal some sort of inner childhood trauma.
“And while doll collecting can be a great way for one to heal, I don’t think it’s OK to assume that everybody who is collecting is broken on the inside.
“A lot of us are very happy and confident people who are collecting because it brings us joy and excitement, not because, as some may think, there is ‘something wrong’ with us.
“I want people to understand and appreciate the fact that these dolls were made for the purpose of bringing joy to people.
“I want people to appreciate the level of detail that goes into creating these miniature figures.
“I want people to be able to look at these dolls and remember a certain time in their life that brings a smile to their face.”
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