Who doesn’t remember Judy Garland’s iconic ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz? They are not just a piece of childhood nostalgia but an iconic testament to how some stories leave a lasting impression. The slippers were stolen from their museum display! However, after recovery, the slippers recently got auctioned for an astonishing amount, which left Serena Williams‘ husband Alexis Ohanian amused and delighted. Dropping his opinion on the matter, Ohanian showcased how his appreciation for collectibles is unmatchable.

Wizard of Oz’s Judy Garland’s iconic ruby slippers are more than just shoes to every child, they are mementos that evoke their childhood fantasies. However, these iconic shoes’ status as childhood nostalgia was endangered when two local thieves stole them from a museum in Minnesota. This theft brought the shoes into the limelight, now making them one of the most expensive Hollywood memorabilia ever auctioned. Wizard of Oz’s ruby slippers were sold for a whopping $28 million, or $32.5 million when factoring in the buyer’s premium. Managed by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, the sale surpassed the price of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white dress from The Seven Year Itch, designed by William Travilla. Although the buyer remained anonymous, the auction received widespread media attention across social media platforms.

Mantel, a social media platform designed to connect collectors with buyers, shared a clip of the auction event on X. The news shared by Ohanian’s venture firm Seven Seven Six, gained further attention when Ohanian retweeted the clip, praising, and delving into the details of these iconic slippers. “Given the role they played in color film, they were already iconic, and then the big heist only made them more compelling,” the Reddit co-founder wrote. His words highlighted his admiration for collectibles. Despite coming from a tech background, Ohanian’s respect for arts and entertainment is truly commendable.

This Reddit co-founder’s passion for entertainment became even clearer when he revealed his radical idea for a women’s soccer-themed reality season to Variety magazine. This idea sheds light on his connection to the entertainment world showing his active involvement in the field.

Alexis Ohanian aims to make a reality show based on women’s soccer

In March, this Reddit co-founder spoke about a reality series based on NSWL players. Named Off-Season, this reality show aired on the 14th of October and gained immense popularity. When asked how the idea popped into his head, Ohanian said, “It was a radical idea in 2019 for me to start an NWSL club in LA, and in 2023, everyone in Hollywood told me it was a radical idea to incubate a production company and unscripted show like ‘The Offseason,’ which makes me think we’re already on the right track.” His words highlighted not only his faith in female soccer players but also determination to uplift women’s sports. Ohanian also added, “All of the most successful reality TV shows feature women, and with Midge’s vision & these acclaimed producers’ execution, everyone is going to realize women’s sports was an obvious vehicle all along. Someone just had to be first.” 

Alexis Ohanian’s take on Judy Garland’s ruby slippers showcases the iconic object’s popularity across the globe. More than that, it highlights Ohanian’s respect and admiration for things that offer a valuable story of women empowerment. What are your thoughts?