Hello Kitty has been in the news lately, not only for her 50th anniversary but for the shocking announcement that the beloved character, created by Japanese company Sanrio in 1974, is not a cat.
If you go down the rabbit hole of fan theories and responses either by accident on Instagram (guilty) or via Google (also guilty), you’ll find hilarious memes, TikToks, Reels, and message boards that have been making this claim for years (looks like they were right all along!).
She is, in fact, a little girl of 8 years, named Kitty White, born in England. She has a twin sister, Mimmy, and a mom and dad—all of whom look like cats—and a pet, um, cat. Hello Kitty, a human girl who looks a lot like a cat, has a pet cat named Charmmy Kitty.
That we even care about this revelation proves one very important thing: Hello Kitty is a bona fide icon. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be legions of fans weighing in on the matter. She is beloved and admired and continues to capture the adoration of children (and adults) all over the world. My own kids adore even the sight of her—as do I, quite honestly.
Little Words Project, an American jewelry brand known for its letter bracelets, has joined Sanrio in celebrating Hello Kitty’s milestone. The company has introduced a limited-edition collection of bracelets combining the names and likenesses of characters in the Hello Kitty universe.
These irresistibly adorable accessories echo Little Words’ underlying theme of kindness and self-empowerment. They retail for $30 each, with custom options available starting at $40.
“We’re honored to partner with Sanrio in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty,” said Adriana Carrig, CEO and founder of Little Words Project, in a statement. “Hello Kitty has been a beacon of joy and friendship since my own childhood, so it’s an absolute dream to pair her timeless charm with our jewelry to further our missions of friendship, community, and positivity for this momentous celebration.”
Top: Little Words Project’s Hello Kitty bracelet with acrylic beads, enamel charm, and gold-plated logo tag, $30
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