{"id":322404,"date":"2026-08-16T03:58:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T03:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/322404\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T03:58:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T03:58:12","slug":"manhattans-mane-attraction-why-a-giant-10-foot-hairball-rolled-through-new-york-citys-streets-world-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/322404\/","title":{"rendered":"Manhattan&#8217;s Mane Attraction: Why A Giant 10-Foot Hairball Rolled Through New York City&#8217;s Streets | World News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/world\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">world<\/a>   Manhattan&#8217;s Mane Attraction: Why A Giant 10-Foot Hairball Rolled Through New York City&#8217;s Streets<\/p>\n<p>Last Updated:August 16, 2026, 02:42 IST<\/p>\n<p>The 150-pound sphere\u2014officially dubbed &#8216;The Tumblehair&#8217;\u2014is a real physical prop built by prop stylists at CAD Industries and Decimated Designs<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/font.svg\" height=\"30px\" width=\"30px\" alt=\"font\" title=\"font\" class=\"jsx-fb12ddd417548e14 lazyload\"\/><a href=\"https:\/\/web.whatsapp.com\/send?text=Manhattan&#039;s%20Mane%20Attraction%3A%20Why%20A%20Giant%2010-Foot%20Hairball%20Rolled%20Through%20New%20York%20City&#039;s%20Streets - %0D%0Ahttps:\/\/www.news18.com\/world\/manhattans-mane-attraction-why-a-giant-10-foot-hairball-rolled-through-new-york-citys-streets-10275663.html%3Futm_source%3Dwhatsapp%26utm_medium%3Dsocial_share%26utm_campaign%3Dnw18english%0D%0A %0D%0A Get the latest news anytime, anywhere. Install News18 app for free! %0D%0Ahttps:\/\/onelink.to\/website-share-eng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"jsx-fb12ddd417548e14 sclrnd wapp social_share\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/new_share_icon.svg\" alt=\"new share icon\" title=\"new share icon\" width=\"8\" height=\"9\" class=\"jsx-fb12ddd417548e14 social_share\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/new_whatsapp_icon.svg\" alt=\"new whatsapp icon\" title=\"new whatsapp icon\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" class=\"jsx-fb12ddd417548e14 social_share\"\/><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"According to campaign creators, the hairball visualises the estimated 161 billion strands of hair New Yorkers could retain each year using specialised longevity treatments. Image\/AP\" title=\"According to campaign creators, the hairball visualises the estimated 161 billion strands of hair New Yorkers could retain each year using specialised longevity treatments. Image\/AP\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-211d32319605c88 jsx-3847059818\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/zoom-img.svg\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" class=\"jsx-211d32319605c88 jsx-3847059818 imgzoomicn tap_to_zoom\"\/><\/p>\n<p>According to campaign creators, the hairball visualises the estimated 161 billion strands of hair New Yorkers could retain each year using specialised longevity treatments. Image\/AP<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"jsx-211d32319605c88 jsx-3847059818 flscrnimg\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">If you spotted a massive, street-blocking hairball rolling past crosswalks in Midtown Manhattan, Chinatown, or the West Village in New York, you were not looking at an AI glitch. The 10-foot-tall, 150-pound sphere\u2014officially dubbed \u201cThe Tumblehair&#8221;\u2014is a real physical prop built by prop stylists at CAD Industries and Decimated Designs.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">Created for haircare brand K18 and agency Uncommon Creative Studio, the roving installation was designed as an unmissable visual metaphor for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/lifestyle\/bald-at-22-why-gen-z-is-losing-hair-faster-than-any-previous-generation-and-what-experts-say-you-can-do-about-it-ksh-ws-l-9847060.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">premature hair loss and daily shedding<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Why Roll a Massive Hairball Down Manhattan Streets?<\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">The oversized hair sphere brings a quiet, everyday biological issue into plain view. According to campaign creators, the hairball visualises the estimated 161 billion strands of hair New Yorkers could retain each year using specialised longevity treatments.<\/p>\n<p>Scale: Measures roughly 3 metres (10 feet) in diameter and weighs over 68 kilograms (150 pounds).Materials: Constructed using a combination of real human hair sourced from local New York salons and synthetic fibres, hand-sewn to represent diverse hair textures and colours.Mechanics: Pushed and directed through city avenues, parks, and alleys by a dedicated five-person production crew.Turning Heads Across Iconic Neighbourhoods<\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\">The installation travelled through key locations across <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/hollywood\/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-wedding-couple-reportedly-donates-rs-223-cr-to-charity-roads-in-manhattan-shut-10188231.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Manhattan<\/a> before completing its route near Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District. Passers-by stopped mid-walk to film the surreal sight, which quickly flooded social media feeds.<\/p>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">While many initial viewers online assumed the viral footage was generated by artificial intelligence, local permits, city communications, and on-the-ground handlers ensured the physical installation manoeuvred safely across real city traffic.<\/p>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\">Following the conclusion of the street campaign, prop fabricators who specialise in haunted houses and sci-fi sets acquired the giant Tumblehair for their permanent collection.<\/p>\n<p>Handpicked stories, in your inbox<\/p>\n<p>A newsletter with the best of our journalism<\/p>\n<p>submit<\/p>\n<p>Key Questions AnsweredPowered by<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/ask-search-icon.svg\" alt=\"ask search icon\" title=\"ask search icon\" class=\"jsx-75a0d9d06b9850c1 ask_news18_btn\"\/>Ask News18Will the Tumblehair appear in other cities?<\/p>\n<p class=\"jsx-75a0d9d06b9850c1\">After its street campaign, the giant Tumblehair was acquired by prop fabricators who specialise in haunted houses and sci-fi sets for their permanent collection.<\/p>\n<p>How did the Tumblehair navigate city traffic?<\/p>\n<p class=\"jsx-75a0d9d06b9850c1\">The Tumblehair, a 10-foot-tall, 150-pound physical prop, was pushed and directed through New York City avenues, parks, and alleys by a dedicated five-person production crew.<\/p>\n<p>Powered by<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/ask-search-icon.svg\" alt=\"ask search icon\" title=\"ask search icon\" class=\"jsx-75a0d9d06b9850c1 ask_news18_btn\"\/>Ask News18About the Author<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pathikrit Sen Gupta\" title=\"Pathikrit Sen Gupta\" src=\"data:image\/jpeg;base64,UklGRgIDAABXRUJQVlA4IPYCAAAwJQCdASosAcgAPmEwlkekIyIhJDcIkIAMCWlu4XVRG2jfiezIohx5359wXuC9wXuC9wXuC9wXuC9wXuC9wXuC9wXuC9wXuC9wXuCq2ceFaLiV1H\/8x9KwXf\/OJLzd1lEVyRpIJzRpHhHXSnGBod9IfYFu9Ruvr0h55Rv1jwdfEvYf5d4GaFyCsqZGWdaid2H9uJlL8XfDpo4g+wC3ExOPLYgOdJ4t1Mblm4ysYoXF3UiI\/9o2hGBY87tiBEHfdTovs\/BCUUX7JmRRDV8ns9emZLbbgGLReXrq58pYe3e+cWwEE6VkgKz9XtXMNjKSc5T3w+yapJRHVhcUQ47hE3tkyf2QSiF+YwKTtepaied+fcF7gvcF7gvcF7gvcF7gvcF7gvcF7gvcF7gvcF7gvcF7fgAA\/v9y6AAAtG7FCnlC644LTxONH+0DNmaexB4oaAsZzGu\/EonTQ3s6CyPU09LPMFvfmIHni8v9IjHEBaNnLXPrqmWQ5bnizZgGM6Dqz0t2UEqzewqsz5Yq8Xksvl8hLAAcYVn\/kYLMj0KB\/KSMB3q6y8CZTcEz4OrUgbMbd8Zb1kQlSEVdGHtMMFj69samn9sIUV8x7MXPx5K4u\/jZ603Gm8N6Qwhe4FxNhjInXZO8aRl7T3dnNp6b8nkjX3MoF\/PqV+wnu14N6gCHHg58HAlI8rwKTacUs0dxcaYP5oVoCMa+Wg13ibQGDE9IW16Mp9V+3SBCD1p5zrCGXcG3CYpUJi0WPhKZFr2sF8HRNjNsEnJduIFUAhoQdZxL5hQe5AS0QaTvrxdQ5z1hw1kwJ5B2nQkPod8XD6Y3E4eJMn8tr0BCibcIusPCYW\/4+G\/Yeuobu\/pr82bvxdoSZau6Ow6+Xjyq2pr2q953XKusKZQ30SJx5oE8NuUARh6i4MjKzHe9TFXjvwJhq5g0AWjhEsVVBk+JQLUDtYLpKb9AbKWeNzZhAZLYjWS474VUOSu6MqC5ItYIQIvL+wGTcSajbQAAAAAAAA==\" class=\"jsx-3d464f851b6b44ee\"\/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/pathikrit-sen-gupta-16439.html\" class=\"jsx-3d464f851b6b44ee atamail\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pathikrit Sen Gupta<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra&#8230;Read More<\/p>\n<p>Location :<\/p>\n<p>New York, United States of America (USA)<\/p>\n<p>First Published:<\/p>\n<p>August 16, 2026, 02:42 IST<\/p>\n<p>Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Read More<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"News world Manhattan&#8217;s Mane Attraction: Why A Giant 10-Foot Hairball Rolled Through New York City&#8217;s Streets Last Updated:August&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":322405,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[121461,121462,121488,121486,121491,121468,121482,121484,121483,76519,121485,121463,121456,121455,121492,121493,121478,121479,104688,121476,121480,121473,121474,121475,75,121460,84,83,22865,3412,9,24,54,121466,121459,121487,63,121471,121470,121465,121458,121477,121464,121489,121494,121490,121457,121481,121495,121472,121467,121469,2380],"class_list":["post-322404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-manhattan","tag-10-foot-hairball","tag-150-pound-hairball","tag-ai-glitch","tag-ai-or-real","tag-bizarre-new-york-sight","tag-bizarre-nyc","tag-cad-industries","tag-chinatown-nyc","tag-decimated-designs","tag-experiential-marketing","tag-gansevoort-plaza","tag-giant-ball-of-hair","tag-giant-hairball-new-york","tag-giant-hairball-nyc","tag-giant-prop","tag-guerrilla-marketing","tag-hair-health","tag-hair-longevity","tag-hair-loss","tag-hair-shedding","tag-haircare-campaign","tag-k18","tag-k18-hair","tag-k18-haircare","tag-manhattan","tag-manhattan-hairball","tag-manhattan-headlines","tag-manhattan-news","tag-meatpacking-district","tag-midtown-manhattan","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-new-york-city-news","tag-new-york-street-installation","tag-new-york-viral","tag-not-ai","tag-nyc","tag-nyc-marketing-stunt","tag-nyc-spectacle","tag-nyc-street-art","tag-nyc-viral","tag-premature-hair-loss","tag-real-hairball","tag-real-life-viral","tag-social-media-viral","tag-surreal-nyc","tag-tumblehair","tag-uncommon-creative-studio","tag-viral-campaign","tag-viral-marketing-campaign","tag-viral-street-installation","tag-weird-nyc","tag-west-village"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=322404"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322404\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/322405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=322404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=322404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=322404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}