Gina Kasoff, a Missouri content creator, has built a sizable online following and a profitable business by documenting her life as a doll mom who cares for lifelike “Reborn Dolls” on social media.
Kasoff, a married mother of five adult children, owns approximately 20 Reborn Dolls—realistically sculpted vinyl and silicone dolls that resemble infants and toddlers. She began collecting the dolls in 2020 and says each one can cost between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on the artist and level of detail.
Despite frequent online criticism, Kasoff has found financial success through her content. She said she earned more than $200,000 in the past year from YouTube, where she posts videos featuring daily routines, shopping trips, school-themed role play, holidays, and caregiving scenarios involving the dolls.
Kasoff launched her YouTube channel, titled The Dolls Aren’t Real, in March 2024. The channel gained traction quickly, becoming monetized within weeks and reaching more than 30,000 subscribers. Kasoff said the videos now generate more income than she and her husband previously earned combined.
The influencer has been open about the fact that the dolls are not real children. She describes her content as role play and creative entertainment and says she does not confuse the dolls with real people. As a doll mom, she assigns each doll a name, personality, and voice for storytelling purposes.
Kasoff has also addressed accusations of wastefulness, explaining that the items used in her videos—such as food, diapers, and medicine—are either reused, expired, or consumed by her after filming. Clothing purchased for the dolls is later donated, she said.
In addition to adult viewers, Kasoff says her audience includes many young girls who find comfort in her videos. She also receives messages from adults who collect Reborn Dolls for therapeutic reasons related to grief, infertility, or loneliness.
Mental health professionals note that adult doll collecting is not inherently harmful. New York City psychotherapist Lesley Koeppel said such activities can serve as creative or therapeutic outlets, provided they do not interfere with daily functioning.
Kasoff said she plans to continue creating content and advocating for acceptance of adult doll collectors. As a doll mom, she maintains that her videos are intended to be wholesome entertainment and encourages critics to view the content without judgment.
“I’m making content for people who enjoy it,” Kasoff said. “If it’s not for you, you don’t have to watch.”