Madame Tussauds’ Beyonce Wax Figure Removed After Backlash

Museum was accused of whitewashing statue of famous singer

beyonce wax figure

A newly-installed wax figure of pop star Beyonce has been removed from its display at Madame Tussauds’ New York museum. The move follows backlash over how Queen Bey was depicted.

According to the New York Times, the statue was no longer on display as of Thursday afternoon. A staff member did not give a reason for the figure’s absence, saying that it was “off the floor until further notice.” A spokesperson for Madame Tussauds told TheWrap that the figure had been “adjusted” for lighting and styling but that the museum would not comment “further on the removal or reintroduction of the figure.”

Statues sometimes get moved, and multiple Beyonce figures have been created for Madame Tussauds in the past.

In the past week, people have taken to social media to criticize the pop star’s representation. The outpouring of anger sprouted from a compliment, as one Twitter user posted an image of the figure with the caption, “Beyonce wax figure at @MadameTussauds is FIERCE!”

That opinion, however, turned out to be in the minority, with many fans contending that the figure was a far-too-pale imitation of the “Lemonade” singer.

“It’s a good thing you’re not talking about *Beyoncé. cause this white woman is definitely not her,” wrote one disappointed observer.

“Bitch Beyoncé??? This looks more like a Bethany or a Becca or maybe a Britney….,” mused another Twitter user.

Following the outrage, Madame Tussauds released a statement stating that the pictures that have gone viral offer an inaccurate depiction of the figure due to factors beyond their control.

“At Madame Tussauds, our talented team of sculptors take every effort to ensure we accurately color match all of our wax figures to the celebrity being depicted,” a Madame Tussauds spokeswoman told TheWrap. “Lighting within the attraction combined with flash photography may distort and misrepresent the color of our wax figures which is something our sculptors are unable to account for at the production stage.”

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