Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 84
June 3, 2022
Last Salem "Witch" Pardoned Thanks To Middle Schoolers
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Three centuries after being convicted of hocus pocus, the last Salem “witch” has been officially pardoned by the state of Massachusetts.
Elizabeth Johnson Jr. found herself in hot water back in 1693 when Puritans caught up in the Salem witch craze came knocking on her door. At only 22 years old, Johnson joined dozens of others, including her own mother, on the chopping block as a frenzy of folks declared them witches and sentenced them to death out of a strange mix of superstition, fear, and jealousy.
A Puritan PanicThough images of women being burned at stake during the Puritan panic have circulated since then, no “witches” were actually set on fire in Salem for their proposed crimes — that was more Europe’s thing. Here in America, the moralists preferred a public hanging in the town square to the tune of 19 innocent victims, plus one unlucky man who was stoned to death and another five who died in jail.
Fortunately for Johnson, she was not one of those who made it to the town square. As it became more and more apparent that the mass hysteria of the Trials was out of line, Governor William Phips threw out the punishments of many remaining suspects.
Middle School MattersOver the next 300 years, dozens of the accused were officially pardoned until only Elizabeth Johnson Jr. remained.
As she was not listed as a suspect formally unconvicted and with no descendants to have her back, Johnson was never included in legislative attempts to set history straight. That is, until an eighth-grade civics class at North Andover Middle School learned of her plight just last year.
The teens took the issue up with their local legislature to clear Johnson’s name once and for all. State Senator Diana DiZoglio put their motion into action, tacking the legislation onto a budget bill, which was finally approved this week.
Witchcraft Victims’ Memorial, dedicated in 1992. Credit: Danvers Archival Center – Peabody Institute Library and Richard B. Trask
Witch History Today“We will never be able to change what happened to victims like Elizabeth but at the very least can set the record straight,” said DiZoglio.
Proud teacher Carrie LaPierre praised her students for fighting the good fight and shared her hope that her teaching about the second most interesting Salem trial would ultimately be a lesson in “understanding of how important it is to stand up for people who cannot advocate for themselves and how strong of a voice they actually have.”
DiZoglio repeated the sentiment of the relevance of the legislature today, saying, “While we’ve come a long way since the horrors of the witch trials, women today still all too often find their rights challenged and concerns dismissed.”
According to witch hunt history group Witches of Massachusetts Bay, Johnson is the last of the accused to be cleared of any magical mischief.
By Meghan Yani, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: Last Salem "Witch" Pardoned Thanks To Middle Schoolers
June 2, 2022
Was Avril Lavigne Replaced By A Double? It’s Complicated
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
The 20th anniversary of Avril Lavigne’s debut album is upon us!
On June 4, 2002, she introduced us to a certain Sk8er Boi, and as she steps up her public appearances once again while touring her new album, Love Sux, a conspiracy theory that has followed her for much of her career is once again rearing its head. Buckle up, because people on the internet have made things so complicated.
Origins of the TheoryThe earliest source of the theory comes from a Brazilian Avril Lavigne fan page that’s title roughly translates to, “Avril Lavigne died and was replaced by a lookalike?” The blog was posted in 2011, and it’s possible that many people didn’t translate it completely. Even the writer admits they wanted to pull together coincidences to create their own conspiracy theory. A portion of their blog translated conveys that the theory is based on real elements presented in a persuasive way, but that it isn’t fact.
The conspiracy theory goes that Avril Lavigne signed a million-dollar contract to her record label, which is true. Her first album went on to be massively successful. The blogger then speculates that perhaps Lavigne could have become depressed due to the sudden fame, and they point to some of her angstier lyrics.
The author theorizes that the singer may have died, which there is no evidence to support, even going as far to suggest that she was then replaced so that the record label could continue making money! Fans latched onto the conspiracy, especially after a Buzzfeed writer tweeted about the blog and bolstered it to viral levels. Since then, the theory has spun out of control, and people even have a name for her so-called replacement.
Who is Melissa?People who believe in, or just enjoy contributing to, the theory that Lavigne was replaced have created a name for the double: Melissa Vandella.
Some versions of the theory suggest that Lavigne hired an actress named Melissa who bares an uncanny resemblance to Lavigne, due to pressure stemming from her fame. However, others suggest that the “double” is a clone made by her record company.
Where’s the Evidence?
Why people think Avril Lavigne died and was replaced by a doppelgänger. pic.twitter.com/v5LFLd1SQH
— VICE (@VICE) November 11, 2017
The invested conspiracy theorists will point to a number of coincidences to defend the theory. For one, fans say that her style has changed too much for it to be the same person. There are also certain lyrics that people point out when defending the theory, like in the song “Together” where conspiracy theorists look at the line, “The truth isn’t far behind me,” and think this is actually Melissa sending a message.
Die-hard fans of Lavigne’s initial style also use the theory as a way to explain Lavigne’s deviation from the style they fell in love with. They think that where the original Avril Lavigne would wear pants and a tie, it must be her clone wearing dresses.
The strange thing is — and there are many strange things about this theory — other celebrities have changed their fashion and genre without the public thinking they’ve been replaced. Taylor Swift went from country to pop, and people didn’t tweet that she was a clone!
Avril Has Answered the ConspiracyDespite the fact that the original blogger admits in the blog itself that it was a theory to test how much people will believe, and the Buzzfeed staff member can pinpoint that their tweet about the blog is what made the theory go viral, some people refuse to be satiated.
Much like many other conspiracies, the more people deny it, the more it spurs believers to think they’re onto something. Of course, if Bigfoot was real, it would make sense for people in the know to say he wasn’t! Right?
But even Avril Lavigne herself (or Melissa, if you want to stick to the conspiracy) has addressed the clone claims. In 2018, Lavigne commented on the double rumors during a radio interview.
This Isn’t the First Celebrity Clone Theory
1. Avril Lavigne died in 2003 but due to the fame and popularity she was gaining at the time, was replaced by a clone named Melissa. pic.twitter.com/PX27LP92xS
— popligion (@popligion) October 15, 2019
Whether you believe the conspiracy or not, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the first celebrity clone theory. There’s a theory known as “Paul is dead” that alleges Paul McCartney died in 1966, and in order to continue to profit as a band, the Beatles replaced him with a double.
It began when a caller insisted that a radio DJ play some of the band’s songs backward to look for hidden meaning, and the DJ heard the words “I buried Paul.” From there, devoted fans and conspiracy lovers dove deep into their lyrics, photographs, album covers, and more for anything that would support their claims.
Despite trying to put the theory to rest, it flourished, and became what Rolling Stone called “music’s most notorious conspiracy theory.”
When the billboard for The Beatles’ Abby Road went up on the Sunset Strip in 1969, it featured a replica of the album cover. Within days, a prankster stole Paul’s head, playing into the “Paul is dead” rumors. The record co. liked the buzz of a headless Paul and never replaced it. pic.twitter.com/0p9V1Ouxv3
— L.A. Dork (@la_dorkout) May 25, 2022
Even Beyoncé isn’t safe from this type of speculation. The Mirror reported that some fans claim Queen B died in 2000, and her record label used her DNA to clone her and keep the music coming. The conspiracists claim she looks different in newer pictures than she used to without seeming to consider she is a person who aged.
Once a clone theory catches on, it’s hard for celebrities to shake it. People in the public eye will always be subject to rumors and speculation, and yes, even conspiracy theories that they’ve been replaced by a doppelgänger.
By Kelsey Roslin, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: Was Avril Lavigne Replaced By A Double? It’s Complicated
June 1, 2022
The Chinese Opera Singer (and Spy) Who Loved Me
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
On June 30, 2009, Shi Pei Pu died in a Parisian nursing home at 70. Born in Shandong Province, Shi had enthralled Europe with his* operatic singing and graceful stage presence in the 1960s. And he’d managed to capture the heart of French diplomat Bernard Boursicot along the way.
The couple lived together openly for years and even had a child. Well, at least that’s what Boursicot thought until his life imploded under the weight of troubling accusations of espionage, gender-defying, and deception.
The story inspired David Henry Hwang to write 1988’s Broadway play M. Butterfly, which garnered the Tony Award for Best Play. And in 1993, Jeremy Irons and John Lone acted in the film version of the scandalous and unbelievable tale.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Chinese opera singer and spy who stole a Frenchman’s heart — and an embassy’s papers.
(*Some have theorized that Shi was a transgender woman, though a lack of terminology and/or fear of violent reactions might have prevented Shi from identifying as such. Since it is impossible to confirm this with 100% certainty, we will be using the pronouns Shi used publicly throughout this article.)
Death of a LoverWhen Boursicot learned that his former lover, Shi, had passed away, his words proved far from tender. He remarked, “He did so many things against me that he had no pity for, I think it is stupid to play another game now and say I am sad. The plate is clean now. I am free” (via The New York Times). Those are harsh words for a man smitten for 20 years by Shi. But his cold feelings could prove understandable when you realize Shi lied to Boursicot about so much.
In 1964, Boursicot, a 20-year-old accountant at the French embassy, met 26-year-old Shi at a diplomatic cocktail party hosted in Beijing. At the time, Shi enjoyed minor fame as a local opera singer and actor. One of Shi’s most famous roles was in The Story of the Butterfly, where he played a female role known in Chinese opera as a dan. His delicate features attracted both men and women, which he used to his advantage with Boursicot. The two hit it off immediately, facilitated by Shi’s fluent command of French.
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A Two-Decade-Long RomanceAfter this initial meeting, Boursicot and Shi remained in touch, and that’s when Shi’s lies began. He concocted a story about being a woman forced to dress in men’s clothing because of his parents’ strong desire to have a son. Thoroughly entranced by Shi’s beauty (and his reported ability to “hide” his genitals), Boursicot readily accepted the claim. The two continued to meet up as often as possible and soon fell in love.
But the liaison proved disastrous for Boursicot on multiple levels. Not only did the French diplomat end up awash in a sea of lies, but he fell into the crosshairs of the Chinese government.
After discovering the clandestine relationship, Chinese officials pressured Boursicot to provide them with certain documents from the embassy in Beijing. He caved to the pressure, secreting them materials from 1969 through 1972 and then again from 1977 through 1979. During the second spying episode, Boursicot worked at the consulate in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.
A Love Child Confirms the RuseBoursicot and Shi’s romance blossomed against the chaotic backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution from 1966 through 1976. This eventually prompted Boursicot’s move to a new location in Southeast Asia for work. Yet, their relationship continued long-distance, which helped Shi keep up the ruse.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
One visit after many years permitted Shi to introduce Boursicot to their alleged love child, a 4-year-old boy named Shi Du Du. Shi claimed their child had been born in 1966, and Boursicot accepted the little one without question. In truth, Shi adopted the little boy from Xinjiang province.
A Shocking DenouementBy 1982, Boursicot had lived in France for three years and sent for Shi and Du Du to come to live with him. After securing three-month cultural visas, they made the journey to Europe, and the small family reunited.
Shi quickly adapted to life in France, performing Beijing opera in theaters and on television programs. He also secured a one-year visa extension to stay in the country. But the family’s world got turned upside down in 1983 when French authorities moved in to arrest the couple on accusations of espionage.
Soon, the elaborate lies that Shi had constructed about their life together dissolved before Boursicot’s eyes. In a series of catastrophic blows, he learned that his lover of 20 years was actually a man, and their son, Du Du, wasn’t his biological child.
It all proved too much for Boursicot, and he unsuccessfully attempted to kill himself in a detention cell. To make matters worse, the French public mocked the former French embassy worker for his apparent sexual naïveté. Both men received six years in prison for spying.
The End of a Strange TaleFour years later in 1987, Boursicot and Shi received pardons. Shi remained in Paris, raising their adopted son alone. But the damage had already been done, and Boursicot couldn’t get past the deception that had proven so pervasive in their relationship.
He had little contact with the opera singer he had once adored. Before his death in 2009, Shi reached out to his former companion one more time, letting him know that he still loved him. But based on Boursicot’s scathing words, the feelings no longer proved mutual.
By Engrid Barnett, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!
May 31, 2022
Qing-Dynasty Vase Used As Kitchen Decor Sells For £1.2 million
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
In the early 1980s, a UK-based surgeon bought an eye-catching deep blue vase featuring metallic embellishments and animal decor typical of imperial Chinese handiwork. We know very little about this man other than the fact he frequented country salesrooms in the English Midlands from the 1970s onward. Once he passed away, the stunning vase fell into the possession of his son, who liked it enough to keep it in his kitchen. Neither the surgeon nor his son had any idea what they possessed.
Put simply, they had a million-dollar vase worthy of an emperor stowed away in the family kitchen. And its story and value wouldn’t come to light until the late 1990s. That’s when Mark Newstead, a specialist in Asian ceramics and artwork, first saw the museum-worthy item. Here’s the incredible story of kitchen keepsake turned international treasure.
A Million-Dollar Vase
Dreweatts are thrilled to present an exceptionally rare Chinese vase created in the 18th century for the court of the Qianlong Emperor, which will be offered on Wednesday 18 May in our auction of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art.
Learn more:https://t.co/HoFRWf2SNJ pic.twitter.com/aAOkAYUr87
— Dreweatts 1759 (@Dreweatts_1759) April 24, 2022
The vase is striking, even to the untrained eye, and that’s likely what helped preserve it for decades removed from its original location. It stands approximately two feet tall and contains a collection of symbols related to the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty, the nation’s last imperial dynasty. The Qianlong Emperor ruled China from 1735 to 1795, and the vase was meant for far more than home décor.
It features the color “sacrificial blue,” which alludes to its function in imperial animal sacrifice rituals. The hope was that these sacrifices would ensure a good harvest each year. The intense blue of the vase is visible to this day in Beijing, decorating parts of the Temple of Heaven.
Temple of Heaven. Credit: Jiaqian AirplaneFan via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
As for the intricate designs on the vase, the artist used an admixture of silver and gold, painting a variety of animals, objects, and subjects from nature, including flutes, fans, bats, cranes, and clouds. These symbols related to Daoist beliefs of the time, signifying a long and well-lived life for the emperor.
A Rare and Stunning FindBesides the vase’s storied heritage, it features decorations that Newstead notes are “technically very difficult to achieve and that’s what makes it so special and unusual” (via Live Science). The combination of silver and gold required an extraordinary mastery of porcelain painting, and the vase’s creation would have been overseen by Tang Ying (1682–1756). Tang Ying headed up the factory of imperial porcelain located in Jingdezhen, and he developed the technique necessary for the complicated silver and gold embellishments on the vase.
What’s more, the vase would’ve stayed close to the emperor. Newstead believes it likely resided in the iconic Forbidden Palace or another of the emperor’s palaces. Of course, this leads to a somewhat puzzling question about provenance. After all, how did a precious item from one of China’s imperial palaces end up in a humble kitchen in the United Kingdom? While the background story of the masterpiece remains sketchy, history suggests a couple possible answers.
Sketchy OriginsThe Qianlong Emperor ruled over a China torn by numerous rebellions. Although political and social upheaval marked the period, so did a flourishing art scene. The juxtaposition of these two disparate climates likely led to the vase’s relocation miles away in England. That’s a nice way to put it. Spelled out, it’s believed the vase ended up in the hands of foreign troops in the 19th or 20th century, plundered from the nation.
Qianlong Emperor
At least, that’s one theory. Some add a nicer spin to it, saying it might have been a gift from one of the emperor’s court officials to a British diplomat. Unfortunately, no records have been uncovered that back up this claim. The mystery of the vase’s origins may never be solved. As Justin Jacobs, a history professor at the American University in Washington, D.C., notes, “We just don’t know [how the vase left China] and likely we never will.”
Although we may never have the full story of how the sacrificial blue Qing dynasty vase ended up in a United Kingdom kitchen, the mystery of its value has been solved. The vase recently went on the auction block, bringing in a whopping £1.2 million (about $1.5 million USD). That’s got to make it one of the most expensive home décor items in recent memory!
By Engrid Barnett, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: Qing-Dynasty Vase Used As Kitchen Decor Sells For £1.2 million
May 30, 2022
May 29, 2022
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