July 26th 2024.
In response to immense public backlash, a wax figure made in tribute to the late musician Sinéad O'Connor has been removed from the National Wax Museum in Dublin. The figure, which was handcrafted by skilled artist PJ Heraghty, was originally displayed to mark the first anniversary of O'Connor's death on July 26, 2023 at the age of 56.
However, the figure was met with criticism from fans who deemed it "hideous" and "shocking", despite the museum's promise that it had been meticulously crafted. To make matters worse, the waxwork was oddly placed in the Star Wars section next to characters like Darth Vader and Liam Neeson's Qui-Gon Jinn.
Even O'Connor's own brother, Joe O'Connor, joined in on the criticism, calling the figure "inappropriate" and comparing it to something out of the Thunderbirds. Admitting their mistake, the museum has since issued an apology and removed the figure from display. They have also pledged to create a new and more accurate representation of O'Connor.
In a statement, museum director Paddy Dunning, who was a close friend of O'Connor's, expressed his regret and promised to do better. "We acknowledge that the current representation did not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinéad's devoted fans," he stated. "We have listened closely to the reactions and agree that the figure does not fully capture Sinead's unique presence and essence as we intended."
Dunning also admitted that the original waxwork lacked a "wow factor" and that he personally was not satisfied with it. "I saw the statue minutes before the reveal, and I did not like it," he shared. "We still do not know what we will do with this statue for now."
Dunning first met O'Connor when she was just 17 years old and he was 18 at Temple Lane Studios. He described their relationship as being great friends and close since their first meeting. This year marks the one year anniversary of O'Connor's death, and many celebrities and fans have been paying tribute to her and reflecting on her life.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis took to Instagram to repost a tribute from director Kathryn Ferguson, who created the 2022 film Nothing Compares about O'Connor's rise to fame. Ferguson shared that the film will be available to watch for free worldwide over the next seven days as a way to honor O'Connor's talent and commitment to standing up for the oppressed.
Last July, O'Connor was found unresponsive in her flat in London, and it was later ruled that she had died of natural causes. This tragedy came just 18 months after her son, Shane, took his own life at the young age of 17. O'Connor, who was also known as Shuhada Sadaqat, was buried as a Muslim in a Catholic cemetery, and her funeral was attended by almost 5,000 mourners.
As for the National Wax Museum, they have apologized for their mistake and have promised to do better in creating a new figure that truly embodies O'Connor's unique presence and essence. If you have a celebrity story or photos to share, you can contact the entertainment team at The Agency through email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
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