A wax figure of Sinéad O’Connor that bore no resemblance to the singer who died a year ago has sparked controversy among fans and family, leading a Dublin museum to remove it from its collection on Friday.
The National Wax Museum Plus has apologised to the O’Connor family and said it would immediately begin creating a more accurate likeness of the singer, best known for her 1990 version of Prince’s ballad “Nothing Compares 2 U”.
John O’Connor noted that it was a terrifying image of his sister, looking like a cross between something in a clothing store window and a 1960s science fiction TV show that featured electronic dolls.
“When I saw it yesterday I was shocked,” he told Irish television. RTE.
The museum unveiled the figure on Thursday, to mark the first anniversary of the singer’s death. O’Connor, 56, died of natural causes at his home in London on July 26, 2023.
O’Connor, who became a controversial figure after she ripped up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live in 1992, was considered a national treasure in Ireland, where she began performing on the streets of Dublin.
Fans filled the streets of their former coastal town during the funeral in August following a private service attended by then Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, President Michael Higgins and music figures including U2’s Bono and the Boomtown Rats’ Bob Geldof.
Accurately capturing celebrities’ appearances has proven to be a challenge. Last year, a Polish wax museum was ridiculed for what some called disturbing images of Kate, Princess of Wales, and her husband, Prince William.
A sculptor has been ridiculed for his bronze figure of Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Paddy Dunning, director of the Dublin Museum, who considered O’Connor a long-time friend, said she deserved more respect.
“In response to public feedback regarding the wax figure, we acknowledge that the current image does not meet our high standards and the expectations of Sinead’s devoted fans,” the museum said in a statement.
John O’Connor also stressed that he was unhappy with the timing of the inauguration and the fact that no one had contacted his family.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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