A Dublin museum has pulled a wax figure of Sinéad O’Connor from its collection after fans and family members complained that it did not compare to how the late singer looked
ByBRIAN MELLEY
July 26, 2024
LONDON -- A wax figure of Sinéad O’Connor that did not compare to how the late singer looked caused a minor meltdown among fans and family members, leading a Dublin museum on Friday to pull it from its collection.
The National Wax Museum Plus apologized to O'Connor's family and said it would immediately begin creating a more accurate representation of the singer best known for her 1990 cover of Prince's ballad “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
John O'Connor said it was a “hideous” representation of his sister that looked like a cross between something in a department store window display and a 1960s sci-fi TV show that used electronic puppets.
“When I saw it online yesterday I was shocked," he told Irish broadcaster RTE. “I thought it looked something between a mannequin and something out of the ‘Thunderbirds.’”
The museum had unveiled the figure Thursday in honor of the first anniversary of her death. O'Connor, 56, died in her London home of natural causes July 26, 2023.
O’Connor, who became a controversial figure after she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live in 1992, was considered a national treasure in Ireland, where she had started out performing on the streets of Dublin.
Fans filled the street of her former seaside hometown during a funeral procession in August following a private service attended by then-Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, President Michael Higgins and musical luminaries such as Bono of U2 and Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats.
Accurately capturing the likeness of celebrities has famously tripped up many an artist.
A Polish wax museum was ridiculed last year for what some called creepy depictions of Kate, the Princess of Wales, and her husband, Prince William. A sculptor mocked for his bronze of Portuguese soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo went back to his studio a do-over that was more warmly received.
Likewise, U.S. women's soccer star Brandi Chastain got a replacement for a panned plaque where she was compared to looking like actors Gary Busey and Mickey Rooney, and former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
Paddy Dunning, the Dublin museum’s director who called O'Connor a longtime friend, said she deserved a better tribute.
“In response to the public’s feedback regarding the wax figure, we acknowledge that the current representation did not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinead’s devoted fans,” the museum said in a statement.
John O'Connor said he was upset by the timing of the unveiling and the fact that no one had contacted his family.
“As I said earlier, the world may have lost a star, and they did, but I lost my sister," he said. "It just should not have been put there even without checking with somebody: ‘Is this all right?’”
Wax museum removes Sinéad O'Connor figure
A waxwork of the late Sinéad O'Connor in Dublin will be remade after the original came under criticism Photo: Facebook
The National Wax Museum in Dublin is "committed" to creating a new wax figure of Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor after significant public backlash.
It comes after the museum unveiled a waxwork of the late singer and activist to coincide with the first anniversary of her death.
O'Connor was found dead at the age of 56 in her south London home last July.
The figure was first unveiled on Thursday as a tribute to the singer, but the museum has now said it will be removed in order to create "a more accurate representation".
Among those who criticised the original figure was O'Connor's brother, John.
He said he was shocked when he first saw the waxwork online and said it was "inappropriate".
"It looked nothing like her and I thought it was hideous," he told Irish broadcaster RTÉ's Liveline radio programme on Friday.
He added that the figure looked "between a mannequin and something out of the Thunderbirds".
Sinéad O'Connor. Photo: Jason Kempin / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The museum says it will remake the waxwork to create a more accurate representation
A statement from the museum said: "In response to the public's feedback regarding the wax figure, we acknowledge that the current representation did not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinéad's devoted fans.
"We have listened closely to the reactions and agree that the figure does not fully capture Sinéad's unique presence and essence as we intended."
New figure to 'truly honour' singer
The museum said O'Connor's impact on music is "immeasurable" and its goal was to honour the late singer in the "most fitting and respectful manner".
"With this in mind, we are committed to creating a new wax figure that better reflect's Sinéad O'Connor's true spirit and iconic image," it added.
"Our team of skilled artists will begin this project immediately, ensuring that every detail is meticulously crafted to celebrate her legacy appropriately."
It said the museum looks forward to unveiling a new figure that "truly honours" O'Connor and her "extraordinary impact".
The Nothing Compares 2 U singer was found dead at her home last year Photo: Fred Tanneau / AFP
Who is Sinéad O'Connor?
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor was born on 8 December 1966 in the affluent Glenageary suburb of Dublin.
Her debut album in 1987, The Lion and the Cobra, was a storming success, earning O'Connor a Grammy nomination for best female rock vocal performance.
But it was her 1990 Prince cover single 'Nothing Compares 2 U' which saw her catapult to worldwide fame.
O'Connor was outspoken on subjects including religion, women's rights and racism.
In 1992, she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II while performing on US television programme Saturday Night Live in protest against child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
In 2018, she converted to Islam, changing her name to Shuhada Sadaqat.
However she continued to perform under her birth name.
On 26 July 2023, the musician was found unresponsive at her home in Herne Hill, south London and was later pronounced dead.
A coroner ruled that she died of natural causes.
- BBC
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