This Throwback Toy Inspired the Villains in Trolls 3, but No One Noticed

This Throwback Toy Inspired the Villains in Trolls 3, but No One Noticed

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  • What Is Trolls Band Together About?
  • What Is a Betty Spaghetty Doll?
  • How Velvet and Veneer Mirror Betty Spaghetty

As a kid growing up in the late ’90s, Betty Spaghetty was my absolute favorite toy! I remember the excitement when my parents brought her home for me. The doll’s malleable hair and interchangeable limbs allowed me to create endless hairstyles and adventures with her. I spent hours playing with Betty and her friends, Hannah and Zoe.


With Trolls Band Together garnering increased attention on Netflix, some viewers might not realize that the film’s antagonists, Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells), could have been influenced by a vintage toy from the 1990s. Betty Spaghetty, created in 1998, was an adored rubber doll whose flexible attributes, long, spindly limbs, and pasta-like angel hair made her a symbol of carefree excitement.

As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of the Trolls universe, I couldn’t help but notice the striking resemblance between Betty Spaghetty and Velvet and Veneer in the latest movie. However, the obscure ’90s toy reference eluded most viewers during the screening, leaving many of us puzzled and intrigued. Consequently, both newcomers and seasoned fans found themselves drawn to unraveling the anatomy of Velvet and Veneer, fueling the speculation that Betty Spaghetty was the hidden inspiration for Trolls 3‘s antagonists. To put this theory to the test, we’ll be taking a closer look at Velvet and Veneer in Trolls Band Together.

3 What Is Trolls Band Together About?

This Throwback Toy Inspired the Villains in Trolls 3, but No One Noticed

In November 2023, the animated film “Trolls Band Together,” produced by DreamWorks, marked the third installment of their successful “Trolls” franchise. This movie, helmed by directors Walt Dohrn and Tim Heitz, introduces a new adventure for Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake). As they officially become a couple, they embark on a mission to rescue Branch’s elder brother, Floyd (Troye Sivan), from the manipulative clutches of Velvet and Veneer. These twin siblings, aspiring pop stars residing in Mount Rageon, aim to tarnish the reputation of their boy band, BroZone. Once they manage to kidnap Floyd, Velvet and Veneer intend to exploit his fame by imprisoning him inside a perfume bottle shaped as a diamond.

As the two antagonists scheme to take over Floyd’s entertainer identity, Branch and Poppy come across various individuals who both support and obstruct their mission to save him. Joining the cause are Branch’s older brothers and ex-BroZone members Clay, John Dory, and Spruce, as well as Poppy’s long-lost sister Viva, played by Keenan Thompson and Camila Cabello respectively.

During Gristle and Bridget’s honeymoon, Branch and Poppy work on reuniting Gristl with his sibling as the film’s central theme. Meanwhile, Velvet and Veneer relentlessly chase after them. Surprisingly, these thin, spaghetti-haired antagonists have an unusual appearance compared to typical Trolls villains. Consequently, intrigued viewers looked up “Velvet and Veneer” online, uncovering their unexpected connections to Betty Spaghetty.

2 What Is a Betty Spaghetty Doll?

This Throwback Toy Inspired the Villains in Trolls 3, but No One Noticed

Elonne Dantzer created Betty Spaghetty for the Ohio Art Company, which was introduced to the public in 1998. Betty is illustrated as a daring teenage explorer who enjoys exciting adventures with her younger sister and two closest friends, Hannah and Zoe. The doll is intended for children aged four and above to engage with by manipulating Betty’s flexible rubber hair to create various styles. Furthermore, Betty’s limbs, which are thin and wiry, as well as her colorful footwear, can be swapped out.

Betty Spaghetty, introduced in 1998 and an instant hit, experienced a significant drop in sales by 2004, leading to its discontinuation. However, in 2007, the Ohio Art Company attempted to revive Betty Spaghetty with an upgraded design. Regrettably, this new version failed to gain traction among consumers and was discontinued once again in 2008.

In 2016, Moose Toys revealed plans to bring back Betty Spaghetty for a third time at the annual Toy Fair. This announcement came in the same year that DreamWorks Animation released the first Trolls movie, connecting the two brands with a seven-year gap leading up to “Trolls Band Together”. As fans delved deeper into the characteristics of the Trolls villains, Vegetarian and Vileaffaire, they began to notice striking similarities in appearance with Betty Spaghetty.

1 How Velvet and Veneer Mirror Betty Spaghetty

This Throwback Toy Inspired the Villains in Trolls 3, but No One Noticed

During the popular era of Betty Spaghetti dolls, her distinctive look was characterized by long, flowing hair resembling spaghetti, as well as rubbery arms and legs, large gloves, chic sneakers, and either a skirt or dress. This iconic doll left an indelible mark on pop culture, notably inspiring the antagonist in the horror game Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2. The villainous character, Mommy Long Legs, shares Betty Spaghetti’s unique features, such as slender bendable arms, extensive legs, and a pasta-like hairstyle. The striking resemblance between the Poppy character and Betty Spaghetti becomes more evident in Trolls Band Together, making their connection less coincidental.

The glaring similarities between Velvet and Betty Spagetty include long angel hair that dangles in a ponytail down to her back. Velvet’s flexible, rail-thin arms and legs are also reminiscent of Betty Spaghetty’s slender frame. While Velvet has bigger eyelashes, the shape of her big button eyes also mirrors the popular toy doll. Meanwhile, Veneer has a much shorter haircut with his bangs held up, yet still retains the spaghetti-like hair strands. The appearances of the villainous twins were so memorable when Trolls Band Together was released that many raced to the internet to discover who and what the creatures are, only to discover the obscure Betty Spaghetty influence.

Fans have uncovered an intriguing backstory behind the theory, leading to its widespread acceptance online. The Wikipedia page for Betty Spaghetti acknowledges this inspiration, and there’s even a Reddit thread dedicated to further exploration. As for whether Velvet and Veneer will reappear in Trolls 4 to reveal more about their connection, fans now have a clearer picture of the villains’ origins and influences.

Trolls Band Together is available to stream on Netflix.

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2024-07-24 05:31