Wax museum apologise and remove Sinéad O’Connor figure after backlash: “We can do better”

26 July, 2024

Photo of Sinead O'CONNOR (Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns)

The National Wax Museum Plus in Dublin has announced that they will be removing their viral Sinéad O’Connor wax figure.

The beloved Irish singer and activist died in July 2023 at the age of 56, later confirmed to have been from natural causes. The figure was revealed yesterday (July 25) and was met with scathing reviews online, with some suggesting it lacked the level of detail you would expect and others questioning why it had been placed among sculptures of characters from Star Wars.

The original wax figure was created as a tribute to the late musician and was meant to serve as a tribute on the one-year anniversary of her death today (July 26).

Now, the museum has announced that they will be removing the figure and will be launching a new project to “create a more accurate representation” of the singer.

Paddy Dunning – the museum’s director and close personal friend of the late O’Connor – met with the team this morning and decided that they “can do better”.

The museum also shared a statement in regard to the public’s feedback and reactions to the figure and shared that they “acknowledge that the current representation did not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinead’s devoted fans” (per RTE)

“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.”

They added that their goal was to honour the ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ singer in the “most fitting and respectful manner. We deeply appreciate the public’s love for Sinéad and share in their admiration for her remarkable career and contributions.”

Sinead O'Connor performs onstage
Sinead O’Connor performs onstage. CREDIT: Peter Pakvis/Getty Images

With the new project launch, the museum is now committed to creating a new sculpture that will reflect O’Connor’s “true spirit and iconic image”. The project is set to begin immediately.

They continued: “We extend our gratitude to everyone who provided their feedback and assure you that your voices are heard. We look forward to unveiling a new figure that truly honours Sinead O’Connor and her extraordinary impact.”

John O’Connor – Sinéad’s brother – addressed the figure’s appearance and told RTÉ’s Liveline that it did not look like his sister “at all”, adding that upon seeing the work yesterday, he was “shocked” saying it looked more like something “between a mannequin and something out of the Thunderbirds”.

“It looked nothing like her, I thought it was hideous,” he added.

The museum’s sculptor PJ Heraghty told the Irish Examiner that they had attempted to capture O’Connor’s character as a “sad individual”, while Dunning added: “We put her as a serious artist, in that period of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U,’ which was an emotional scene, an emotional video. I think it touched everybody’s hearts — somebody crying literally a real tear.”

O’Connor’s loss continues to be felt deeply across the music world, with Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan recently reflecting on his friendship with her.

He described her as “very, very honest. I mean, almost to a fault”, adding: “This bare-your-soul honesty. Such a beautiful woman, such an incredible talent – just in awe of her talent.

“Of course my friends were calling me on the side, asking me for advice on what to do with the rock star living in their attic. They love her and they’re trying to support her through a very difficult time.”

Elsewhere, O’Connor’s daughter performed an emotional cover of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ in March. It took place at Carnegie Hall in New York at a tribute concert to both O’Connor and The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan.

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