Dwayne Johnson Breaks Silence on His Wax Figure's Controversial Makeover – Demands Museum Action
Dwayne Johnson addresses the controversy surrounding his wax figure as fans express disappointment over its lack of resemblance to the actor
Frazer Harrison/WireImage; Marc Piasecki/Getty Images
Dwayne Johnson has some notes about how to improve his new wax figure for a Paris museum.
Johnson, 51, announced via Instagram on October 22 that he will be working with Grevin Museum in Paris, France to update his wax figure. He specifically mentioned improving his skin color. He shared a video of comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr. joking about his lookalike. Johnson further added that he plans to visit the museum in Paris and enjoy a drink with his wax figure. In the video, Jefferson, 33, playfully referenced how the museum turned Johnson into "a pebble" and commented on his lack of exposure to sunlight.
Johnson added that he was aware of his friend @jamesjeffersonj's intention to roast the Rock wax statue. He laughed heartily and asked if this was how everyone felt when the Little Mermaid controversy happened.
On Monday, October 23, the Musée Grévin confirmed to Deadline that they would promptly repair the statue.
"Dwayne Johnson's concerns have been acknowledged and we are committed to promptly resolving the issue and providing him with updated photographs once the necessary changes have been made," stated the museum in an email sent to Deadline. "We look forward to him visiting Paris and the Grevin Wax Museum to celebrate this occasion with a toast of champagne."
Earlier, the Parisian wax museum unveiled a statue of Johnson, which has since received feedback from fans on social media. Many have noted that the statue does not accurately depict the action movie star, comparing it to other celebrities such as Vin Diesel, Pitbull, and Mr. Clean. Some critics have also raised questions about the wax figure's skin tone, considering Johnson's Samoan heritage.
One observer tweeted that the Rock was whitewashed, while another fan humorously commented that the Rock was cooking without seasonings. The artists responsible for the wax figure relied solely on photos and videos of Johnson to create the statue, as stated on Musée Grévin's website. The intricacy of Johnson's tattoos required the painters to dedicate 10 days of diligent work and extensive research on the Samoan-inspired body art.
Sculptor Stéphane Barret expressed that he found the chosen sample photo challenging, as it displayed a subtle smile that was difficult to capture. He emphasized the importance of bringing the statue to life for visitors by meticulously working on the face and eyes multiple times.
