Beyoncé Fans Outraged Over Whitewashed Wax Figure at Grévin Museum
3 min read
Julien Hekimian/Getty Images | Mason Poole/Parkwood Media/Getty Images
The unveiling of Beyoncé’ new wax figure at the Grévin Museum in Paris has sparked significant controversy and backlash, particularly among her passionate fanbase, known as the Beyhive. Many fans expressed their disappointment and frustration, claiming that the statue failed to accurately represent the iconic singer, especially criticizing its skin tone and facial features.
The wax figure, which was revealed earlier this week, has been accused of “whitewashing” Beyoncé, leading to a flurry of negative reactions on social media. One irate fan commented, “🤔😒 I DON’T KNOW WHO THE F–K THIS IS OR SUPPOSED TO BE! But it ain’t MY QUEEN! 🤷🏽♂️🙄🤦🏽♂️🤬 This is a WHITE WOMAN!” Another fan echoed similar sentiments, saying, “now Beyoncé may be light-skinned but this is insane…😭😭.”
New wax figure of Beyoncé at the Grévin Museum in Paris. pic.twitter.com/kbTpU0VRLT
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 4, 2024
Critics were quick to point out that the statue’s lighter skin tone did not reflect Beyoncé’s actual complexion. One social media user remarked, “Whitewashed and failed to get her features right,” while another simply asked, “Who the hell is that supposed to be??” These reactions underscore the widespread disappointment and anger among fans who feel that the museum did not do justice to Beyoncé’s appearance.
Interestingly, this is not the first time the Grévin Museum has faced criticism for its portrayal of the 42-year-old Grammy winner. Replicating Beyoncé with wax has proven to be a challenging task, and previous attempts have also met with backlash. The latest figure, unveiled recently, was intended to celebrate the singer’s achievements but ended up sparking controversy instead.
Baby that’s Shakira
— tiffany (@taylorsantihero) July 4, 2024
One Instagram user, commenting on The Neighborhood Talk’s post, quipped, “Baby that’s Addison Rae,” referring to the statue’s resemblance to the social media influencer rather than Beyoncé. Another commenter joked, “That’s Becky, not Beyoncé,” highlighting the perceived inaccuracy in the wax figure’s representation. Many fans questioned why the figure’s skin tone was made lighter, drawing parallels to other celebrities who have faced similar issues with their wax counterparts.
that’s not beyoncé that’s bernice
— ִֶָ#maurday (@kaliuched) July 4, 2024
Last year, for instance, the same museum unveiled a wax figure of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which many thought more closely resembled Mr. Clean than the actor himself. The Rock addressed the uproar, stating that he and his team would reach out to the museum to correct some “important details,” including the skin color. The museum acknowledged the mistake, attributing it to the reference photo and tricky lighting conditions.
Girl who is this white woman pic.twitter.com/xJNvuEeMON
— paulie ⚓️ (@ratedpaulie) July 4, 2024
Beyoncé has yet to comment on the current debacle, but history suggests that fan pressure can lead to changes. In 2017, a Beyoncé wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York faced similar criticism for inaccuracies in its facial features, hair, and notably, its too-light skin tone. The controversy led to the hashtag #TussaudsSoWhite trending on social media. Madame Tussauds responded by promising to adjust the figure’s styling and lighting to better reflect Beyoncé’s true appearance.
This is Ann Marie Lastrassi pic.twitter.com/5vzZuOANAI
— j a y t e e 🎰 (@TheTokenJT) July 4, 2024
The issue of skin tone has been a recurring topic in discussions about Beyoncé’s public image. Recently, her mother, Tina Knowles, defended her daughter against accusations of trying to appear white by choosing platinum blonde hair for the premiere of her “Renaissance” tour film. Knowles emphasized that Beyoncé embraces her identity as a brown-skinned woman and highlighted the cultural significance of being a “brown-skinned girl.”
The uproar over the Grévin Museum’s latest wax figure of Beyoncé highlights the ongoing challenges and sensitivities involved in accurately representing celebrities in wax. As fans continue to voice their dissatisfaction, it remains to be seen whether the museum will make any adjustments to the statue. For now, the controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural and physical accuracy in celebrity depictions.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
