A wax statue of the Irish singer Sinead O'Connor, unveiled on Thursday, July 25 at the National Wax Museum in Dublin, was removed on Friday, July 26 following a torrent of harsh criticism.
The legendary performer of the global hit Nothing Compares 2 U passed away just a year ago on July 26, 2023, in London at the age of 56, prompting an outpouring of tributes worldwide. To commemorate her passing, the National Wax Museum Plus unveiled a wax statue of Sinead O'Connor. However, the artwork did not appeal to the singer’s admirers. A prominent public radio host, Joe Duffy, claimed on X that he was contacted by Sinead O'Connor's brother, John, who described the statue as "hideous" and requested its removal. The statue depicted the young singer with a shaved head, dressed in black, holding a microphone.
On social media, fans criticized the statue's lack of humanity, making the singer appear like a "robot." "Her beautiful eyes and radiant smile were some of her greatest features, and they are completely missing in this horrible piece of 'art,'" one fan commented on X, while another called it "an insult to her memory."
In response to the backlash, the National Wax Museum announced that it would remove the statue and begin "a new project to create a more accurate representation" of the singer. "In response to public feedback... we recognize that the current representation does not meet our high standards nor the expectations of Sinead's devoted fans," the museum stated on its Instagram account. The museum emphasized that the statue "does not fully capture the unique presence and essence of Sinead as we intended."
Sinead O'Connor's career was marked by her powerful voice and distinct style. Rising to fame in the late 1980s, she quickly became an icon with her hauntingly beautiful rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U, a song that showcased her remarkable vocal range and emotional depth. Throughout her career, she was celebrated not only for her music but also for her boldness in addressing social and political issues, earning her a dedicated fan base and a lasting legacy in the music world.
With AFP
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