From Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson to Beyonce Knowles, it seems like Musee Grevin can't catch a break. Fans are in an uproar, accusing the Parisian museum of whitewashing the beloved pop star's waxwork.
- July 5, 2024
AceShowbiz - The unveiling of Beyonce Knowles' new wax figure at Musee Grevin in Paris on July 4, has ignited a wave of outrage among fans, who claim the sculpture looks like "anything but" the star.
The wax figure - depicting Beyonce in a sparkly silver bodysuit, crimped hairstyle, and cascading shawl - was meant to honor the 32-time Grammy Award winner. However, fans quickly took to social media to express their disappointment and frustration. Comments such as, "Why this look like Beyonce body, with MJ face," and "It's Iggy Azalea if they want, but certainly not Beyonce," flooded X (formerly Twitter).
This is not the first time the museum has faced backlash for misrepresenting celebrities; just nine months ago, actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson experienced a similar controversy.
The main point of contention is the noticeably whiter complexion and thinner face of the wax figure. The Musee Grevin released a statement via its PR representative, Veronique Berecz, explaining the error, "Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet Dwayne Johnson, so we used several photos. But as it turns out, pictures can be very tricky because the nuances of skin tones can differ depending on the lighting on photos."
Despite making immediate changes to Johnson's figure after fan backlash, museum did not seem to learn from its past mistakes.
This incident has ignited discussions about representation and authenticity in the art of wax sculptures. Fans believe it's crucial not just to capture the likeness, but also to respect the cultural identity of the person being depicted. While the wax figure does sport some of Beyonce's signature features, like her curves and hairstyle, the sum total falls short of expectations.
Beyonce has not yet commented on her new wax figure. She last posted a video on Instagram, enjoying a sunny vacation with her husband, Jay-Z. Similarly, Dwayne Johnson's updated figure was unveiled to the public, but he has yet to comment on the changes made.
As fans continue to voice their opinions, one thing is clear: famous wax museums like Musee Grevin and Madame Tussauds must do more to ensure that their sculptures truly represent the celebrities they aim to honor. Until then, they remain under the critical eye of an unforgiving public.
