Museum to fix Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson waxwork after skin tone complaints
Add BT as a preferred source
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
A FRENCH museum said on Monday it is working urgently to fix a much-derided waxwork of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson after the US actor complained about its pale skin tone.
Johnson, who is of Samoan and Black origin, took to Instagram this weekend to joke about the Grevin Museum’s botched wax figure, which appeared to depict him with white skin, and bears only a vague likeness to his features.
“For the record, I’m going to have my team reach out to our friends at Grevin Museum, in Paris, France, so we can work at ‘updating’ my wax figure here with some important details and improvements - starting with my skin colour,” wrote Johnson, best known by his stage name The Rock.
On Monday, the museum told AFP that staff were “reworking” the wax figure, and that an updated version would be reinstalled Tuesday morning.
“They’re going to work all night on it so that it’s more in line with fans’ expectations,” Yves Delhommeau, the museum’s director, said in a statement.
“Crews will work through the night to ensure the likeness is more in keeping with the expectations of his fans.
Navigate Asia in
a new global order
Get the insights delivered to your inbox.
“We’re also going to reconfigure the lighting because there was a lighting issue that was having the effect of lightening his skin.”
Johnson “will come see us later on to see if there are other modifications that need to be made.”
The figure of Johnson was unveiled on social media last week by the Grevin Museum, which draws nearly 800,000 visitors a year.
SEE ALSO
But a photo intended to promote the new statue drew an outcry from Johnson’s fans, ranging from bemusement to anger.
One commenter said the figure looked like an “Eastern European plumber.”
“Why would you white wax (wash) him?” wrote another.
Comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr. released an online video mocking the statue, prompting Johnson to respond.
Jefferson said in the video that The Rock was being made to look like former England soccer star David Beckham or “part of the Royal family.”
“I’m low-key offended,” said Jefferson.
In 2018, the museum drew similar mockery for an unflattering figure of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Producing a Grevin sculpture takes six months and costs 50,000 to 60,000 euros (S$72,900 to S$87,500). AFP
Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
TRENDING NOW
From 1MDB to ‘corporate mafia’: Is Malaysia facing a new governance test?
Middle East-linked energy supply shocks put Asean Power Grid back in focus
Beijing’s calculated silence on the Iran war
DPM Gan warns of 3 structural shifts to the global system that will bring greater challenges – and opportunities
