An influencer who admitted to chasing strangers while dressed as the Cat in the Hat took an extraordinary step after apologising for frightening members of the public on 10 September. Natalie Reynolds now believes the costume may be haunted, and arranged for a priest to bless it with holy water, and is preparing to install cameras around her home to monitor any further strange activity.
The bizarre development follows her admission that she had not considered how terrified people would be when she chased them for her own entertainment. Although she accepted responsibility for her actions, she also suggested that something supernatural could have influenced her behaviour, adding an unexpected twist to an already unsettling story.
Natalie Apologises For Chasing Strangers
The Independent reported on August that the original, authentic costume that Mike Myers wore for the 2003 movie The Cat in the Hat was up for auction. Reynold appeared to have acquired the costume, and then she ended up chasing people while wearing the costume because she thought it would be funny.
Reynolds addressed the controversy in a TikTok video, admitting that her decision to chase people in the oversized Cat in the Hat costume had caused panic. She explained that she originally thought the encounters would be funny, but had not realised that those being chased would genuinely fear for their safety.
She acknowledged that she had been acting for her own entertainment without considering how her behaviour affected other people. Reynolds also apologised directly to those who had been frightened, saying she hoped they could forgive her and acknowledging that there were no excuses for what she had done.
She Blames A Possible Haunting
However, her apology took an unusual turn when Reynolds discussed her personal circumstances and suggested that the costume could have played a supernatural role. She said her mental health had not been at its best and claimed she believed she had been 'haunted into doing these horrible things.'
Reynolds also said that police were investigating the situation, although she did not provide further details about the alleged investigation in the video.
The Costume Gets A Priest
Rather than simply putting the outfit away, Reynolds decided to find a priest and arrange for him to visit and bless it, hoping to remove any spirits she believed might be trapped inside. In another TikTok video, she asked the religious figure whether he thought he could remove whatever might supposedly be inside the costume.
The priest agreed to do his best, beginning with a prayer asking for peace and protection in the home. He also prayed for anything considered unwelcome to be removed, before using holy water to bless the costume as Reynolds joined in with the prayers.
During the ceremony, Reynolds specifically asked for protection for herself, her loved ones, and someone named Zach. She also prayed for the removal of what she described as a 'bad spirit' trapped inside the outfit, ending her prayer in Jesus' name.
The priest's blessing was intended to bring protection and peace, but his response to Reynolds' concerns was not quite the definitive reassurance she appeared to be hoping for. When she asked whether the blessing would change the energy in her home, he suggested that there could be more going on and that they might not know immediately.
Cameras Set Up Overnight
Despite the religious ceremony, Reynolds was not ready to consider the matter settled. She explained that the priest had done everything he could, but announced that she would still be setting up cameras overnight to see whether anything else happened.
Her decision suggests she intends to keep monitoring the situation rather than relying solely on the blessing. She ended the video by wishing viewers luck, leaving them with the prospect of another update if she believes the cameras capture anything unusual.
Mike Myers' Costume Has History
The Cat in the Hat costume has a connection to Hollywood history, with an authenticated outfit worn by Mike Myers in the 2003 live-action film The Cat in the Hat appearing in a Propstore entertainment memorabilia auction.
The screen-used ensemble attracted attention for its oversized feline head and distinctive appearance, with some viewers describing the character's look as frightening. The film also starred Dakota Fanning, Spencer Breslin, Kelly Preston, and Alec Baldwin, adapting Dr Seuss' beloved children's book into a live-action comedy.
