In a confusing turn of events, the creators of "Hello Kitty" say the adorable-looking character isn't a kitty.
The white feline look-alike has been gracing merchandise since 1975, when she first appeared on a coin purse.
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Given the name, her ears and her whiskers, who could blame us for thinking she was a cat?
Now, a spokesperson for the company that makes "Hello Kitty" clarified this misconception.
Speaking on the Today show, Sanrio's senior vice president of marketing and brand management Jill Koch, said "She's actually a little girl born and raised in the suburbs in London. She has a mom and dad and a twin sister Minnie, who is also her best friend. She enjoys baking cookies and making new friends."
Hello Kitty also weighs three apples and is five apples tall," and also has pet cat named Charmmy Kitty.
Hello Kitty is not a cat, according to the Director of Retail Business Development at Hello Kitty’s flagship company:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 18, 2024
“Hello Kitty is not a cat. She’s actually a little girl born and raised in the suburbs of London.” pic.twitter.com/4r4d6NMlJO
Naturally, people are very confused by this statement.
On "X", one person wrote, "u cannot change history, that's a CAT."
Another accused the company of trying to gaslight us.
One person wrote "It’s a girl cat and nothing will ever change my mind”, and “for my own sanity and childhood i'm sticking to that.”
Feature image from Pexels by Henk Mohabier