(photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Sinéad O’Connor’s waxwork has been removed from Dublin’s wax museum following strong criticism. The wax figure, unveiled on Thursday, faced immediate backlash from the public and Sinéad’s family for its poor resemblance to the late singer.
John O’Connor, Sinéad’s brother, expressed his shock and disappointment after seeing the figure online. Speaking to RTE Radio’s Liveline, he said, “When I saw it online yesterday I was shocked. I thought it looked like something between a mannequin and something out of the Thunderbirds. I thought Sinéad would have been very fond of looking well, and she certainly did, and if it was supposed to be a representation of her in her early 20s when she did ‘Nothing Compares 2 U,’ it just looked nothing like her. I thought it was hideous.”
John further criticized the waxwork, sharing a friend’s comment: “A friend of mine said to me last night that he’d seen better in Shaws [department store], in the window. There’s also enough visual stuff out there, in terms of videos and photos, that show what she did look like.”
John added, “I lost my sister and to me that’s important. Since she’s not here to defend herself or to speak for herself, I just took it upon myself to contact you about it.”
The wax museum’s director, Paddy Dunning, also apologized to the family. He told Liveline, “When I had a look at the statue, I walked in to launch it, and when I saw it, I didn’t get that feeling that I normally get from PJ’s fantastic work. My heart sank a bit. We went ahead with the launch and I didn’t sleep last night.”
Dunning acknowledged the need for improvement and announced the decision to remove the waxwork. “I had to take the decision to cancel the statue and we’ll go again and we’ll remodel and we have to do better on this occasion,” he added.
The waxwork’s unveiling was intended to honor Sinéad O’Connor, but instead, it sparked widespread criticism and disappointment. The figure’s lack of resemblance to the iconic singer drew sharp remarks from both the public and Sinéad’s family, prompting a swift response from the museum.
As the museum plans to remodel the statue, Sinéad’s fans and family hope for a more accurate representation that honors her memory appropriately. The removal of the initial waxwork serves as a reminder of the importance of capturing the true essence of individuals being commemorated in such tributes.
