Men in love with sex dolls: Subculture of 'iDollators' revealed in new documentary Silicone Soul

Daily Mail - Science & tech 

The staff at John & Tony's Steakhouse in West Chicago know the couple well: There's 54-year-old John – a genial man with a big, partially toothless smile who works in truck deliveries – and his wife, Jackie, a petite, dark-haired beauty in a wheelchair whose favorite dish is bacon-wrapped dates. The inseparable pair are staples at John & Tony's, and it's their annual dining spot for celebrating Valentine's Day – but the wait staff are accustomed to taking other reservation calls, too, from people who simply want to sit near them to observe John's doting love. Because Jackie is no normal suburban wife; she doesn't walk, talk, laugh or even eat her beloved dates. Instead, she's a life-sized doll that John'married' on the Jerry Springer show years ago, but he treats her like she's a human princess, gazing adoringly at and chatting away to his silent bride (as strangers look on, aghast.) John and Jackie are the stars of new documentary Silicone Soul, which chronicles the lives of men who've fallen in love with dolls – as well as other doll enthusiasts who have interests and motivations separate from sex or romance, such as a female artist who uses dolls for photography and friendship.