I’m a doll collector — it doesn’t make me any less of a man

Life with plastic is fantastic for this collector.

Duane AJ has been a doll collector since he was 5, despite relentless bullying while growing up.

Now, at 35, the former 2006 “X Factor” contestant still spends his spare cash on the figurines — even splurging on miniature Jimmy Choo kicks for the dolls.

“I don’t know why I love them so much, but I do. I believe I was born to collect dolls,” he told Southwest News Service.

The singer, who hails from Truro, Cornwall, is hellbent on de-stigmatizing his “expensive hobby” as a male collector.

“I just want to raise awareness for guys who collect dolls,” he said. “It’s fine to do what you enjoy, whoever you are.”

He purchased his first doll at a car boot sale — think: a garage sale, but from the back of a vehicle — and became “obsessed” with dolls ever since, putting them at the top of his wish list for every birthday and holiday.

Duana AJ with dolls sitting on stairs — AJ spends extra cash on his growing collection.

AJ and his doll collection — His figurines occupy an entire room in his home, which he shares with his supportive husband.

AJ as a child with a Aurora doll — He began collecting dolls at age 5.

“Growing up my family always fully supported my hobby — they never made me feel like it was wrong,” he said.

But other kids on the playground didn’t understand and often picked on AJ at school, which “got the better” of him and eventually discouraged him from toting his prized possessions to school.

That, he said, marked the beginning of his secret, which lasted throughout his childhood.

“It’s only since I have got to adult life that I stopped caring what people think,” he admitted.

“I look at it as you’re not here for a long time, so you just have to live your life.”

Disney themed dolls — His large doll collection, estimated to be worth thousands, is comprised of an array of figurines, from Disney-themed dolls to simple Barbies.

He's loved dolls since he was a young boy. — He’s loved dolls since he was a young boy.

Now, after paying his monthly bills, he splurges on a doll to add to his growing collection which is valued at thousands of dollars and comprised of simple Barbie dolls to Japanese Smart Dolls, the latter of which costs him hundreds of dollars.

His favorite, he said, is a limited edition Alice in Wonderland doll from Disney that he purchased on eBay before they were widely released in the UK, paying just over $100.

“That was such a good deal at the time because there’s only 500 of her in the world,” he said. “She’s such a rare diamond.”

The dolls and their lavish accessories have their own room in his house, which he shares with his supportive husband, Nick.

NYPICHPDPICT000021740332 — His growing collection is valued at thousands of dollars.

AJ as a young child holding doll in front of christmas tree — He was bullied as a child for his hobby, which has grown to be both expensive and expansive.

AJ arranging dolls — While his dolls are his prized possessions, he’d be open to selling some to fund his retirement one day.

“I couldn’t have married someone who wasn’t — he just lets me get on with my dolls,” AJ said.

“We live in a three-bed house — one is our bedroom, one is his office and one is my doll room!”

AJ has come a long way since his early childhood days of bullies and shame — now he regularly flaunts his dolls on social media and meets with fellow collectors.

But his pride hasn’t stopped the haters, who often ridicule his passion, saying “dolls are for children and girls.”

But internet trolls won’t deter AJ from pursuing his hobby, though he does admit he would sell a few to save up for retirement.