Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Wax Figure in Paris to Get Makeover After Whitewashing Backlash
- IndiaGlitz, [Tuesday,October 24 2023]
A Paris wax museum, inspired by London's Madame Tussauds, is to redo its statue of Dwayne The Rock Johnson after complaints whitening the figure. Last week, the Musée Grévin inaugurated the wax of the actor and former wrestler before an outcry on social networks. Many denounced it, including Dwayne Johnson himself, showing the poor outline of the skin compared to reality. Johnson, of Samoan and Black Canadian descent, reposted a video from comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr. on his Instagram, expressing that the statue made him feel low-key offended. Johnson indicated his team would contact the museum for adjustments to the wax figure. He added jokingly, And next time I'm in Paris, I'll stop in and have a drink with myself.
The Musée Grévin alluded to the hurdles faced in creating the statue, as sculptor Stéphane Barret had only photos and videos of Smith available for reference. The team even visited gyms in search of a model with similar measurements to The Rock. While the Samoan tattoos took ten days of meticulous work and research, the eyes in the statue were painted three times for proper balance of colour as well as warmth.
It's disappointing that such undertakings by the museum to replicate Dwayne Johnson's likeness were quite off, but the museum is determined to rework this figure and have it more truly represent Dwayne Johnson in his heritage as well as appearance.