Internet in Uproar Over Photo of a Whitewashed Beyoncé Wax Figure
A Beyoncé wax figure currently on display at Madame Tussauds in New York is causing an online stir over its contrasting appearance to the real-life Queen Bey. After Twitter user Joe shared an appreciative photo of the statue Tuesday, it quickly began to garner backlash.
While the photo in question wasn’t an official museum photo, it looks similar to the figure on display in Istanbul, and some called out what appears to be the figure’s whitewashed look.
Tweeters were quick to point out how little the figure resembled Queen Bey herself, from facial features to overall complexion, and accused the museum of whitewashing.
“I think this is the most disgusting, disrespectful wax figure of Beyoncé ever,” one fan tweeted.
https://twitter.com/iSmashFizzle/status/887459390520950788
Me still looking for the real Beyonce wax figure cause this ain't it. pic.twitter.com/1jrseGp81A
— nicki 🌊 (@nickiknowsnada) July 19, 2017
Many also made comparisons between the wax figure and famous white women, like Lindsay Lohan, Christina Aguilera and Kate Gosselin.
Beyonce's wax figure at @MadameTussauds looks like Kate Gosselin from 'Kate Plus 8' wearing a purple ensemble. Um, can we get a re-do? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/GmW7ysBWsE
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) July 19, 2017
Lindsay Lohan. Jessica Simpson. Maybe even Britney at the right angle but this darling is NOT Beyoncé. https://t.co/aVxAfSK2ml
— morgs 🥰 (@hotbeansmorgan) July 19, 2017
“It’s a good thing you’re not talking about ‘Beyoncé. cause this white woman is definitely not her,” wrote one disapproving Bey fan in response.
Madame Tussauds released the following statement soon after the controversy over the not-so-flawless figure, saying, “Our talented team of sculptors takes every effort to ensure we accurately color match all of our wax figures to the celebrity being depicted. Lighting within the attraction combined with flash photography may distort and misrepresent the color of our wax figures.”
Whether or not the issue in this particular case is the lighting, Beyhive members posted other examples of wax museums failing to capture Bey’s fierceness.
Theory: Beyoncé wax figure makers have never seen Beyoncé pic.twitter.com/bZ2PWCUzUs
— Michelle Lee (@heymichellelee) July 19, 2017
This is her in Vegas that I took a few months back…. pic.twitter.com/9q79yC0Vde
— HALL OF FAME BO #29 (@VWEBBJR) July 19, 2017
We all knew the icon was one of a kind, but now it’s really clear that Beyoncé is impossible to recreate.