A South Carolina mother, Holly Ricketson, has launched a class-action lawsuit against toy manufacturer Mattel following a distressing incident involving one of its dolls, which was marketed ahead of the film adaptation of the musical *Wicked*. The doll's packaging erroneously displayed the address of an adult pornographic website, leading Ricketson's minor daughter to inadvertently visit the site.
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday after Ricketson discovered that her daughter had stumbled upon explicit content featuring what the court documents described as “hardcore, full-on nude pornographic images” associated with the misprinted address. The mother and daughter were reportedly horrified by their unexpected exposure to such material and are now seeking $5 million in damages for emotional distress, claiming that the company’s oversight rendered the dolls “unfit for their intended purpose.”
Mattel responded to the incident, labeling it an “unfortunate error” and initiated a recall of the affected dolls. However, the lawsuit contends that the company has not provided refunds for consumers who purchased the products. Ricketson asserts that had she been aware of the error, she would never have bought the doll for her daughter.
In addition to seeking damages for herself and other consumers, Ricketson is accusing Mattel of negligence and violating California consumer protection laws. The error has garnered considerable attention as it highlights concerns regarding children's products and safety standards.
The *Wicked* musical, which has captivated audiences since its Broadway premiere in 2003, recently saw its film adaptation released in the U.S. and UK on November 22, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Despite the controversy surrounding the doll’s packaging, the film has performed exceptionally well at the box office, grossing over $600 million globally since its release.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Mattel has been approached for further comments regarding the lawsuit and the implications of the packaging error.
