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Mexican audiences started a trend of throwing stuffed toys at performers

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Music fans in Mexico are throwing things at artists, but they aren't getting hurt. In fact, the artists welcome it because the objects are small stuffed toys. Jeanette Hernandez is a freelance culture writer who follows all things in Latin pop culture.

JEANETTE HERNANDEZ: It started out what seemed like a joke to actually something that got caught on from the Mexican audience to what we're seeing now even here in the U.S.

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

The trend crossed the border, and plush toys are soaring onto stages in El Paso, Texas, too. The phenomenon also has made it to Canada, where a plushie struck Lady Gaga in the face during a concert in Toronto.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "JUST DANCE")

LADY GAGA: (Singing) I can't remember, but it's all right, all right - just dance.

MARTÍNEZ: She laughed it off and just danced.

MARTIN: This all started last year, apparently, when a fan through a Dr. Simi doll at Norwegian singer Aurora during a festival in Mexico City.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "CURE FOR ME")

AURORA: (Singing) But I don't need a cure for me.

MARTIN: She hugged the stuffed mascot, a video went viral and the rest is history.

MARTÍNEZ: Dr. Simi is the friendly face of the Mexican generic drug pharmacy chain Farmacias Similares.

HERNANDEZ: It's basically like a huge mascot always outside their door and just promoting this very, like, likeable mascot that's always giving high fives and very friendly to whoever passes by.

MARTIN: Now, music fans are altering the Dr. Simi dolls to make them look like their favorite artists, leaving notes on his arms, legs and white coat. So far, the celebrities don't seem bothered by the flying stuffies. But if you are so inspired to hock one at your favorite singer, don't aim for their heads.

(SOUNDBITE OF ANAMANAGUCHI'S "PLANET") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.