Dublin’s National Wax Museum has decided to remove a recently unveiled wax figure of the late Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor following widespread criticism from her family and the public regarding its accuracy.
The museum's decision came after the waxwork was met with shock and disapproval upon its reveal on Thursday. Many observers, including O'Connor's brother John O’Connor, expressed that the figure bore little resemblance to the iconic artist, with some describing it as resembling a mannequin or a character from the "Thunderbirds" television series.
John O’Connor, speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Liveline on Friday, admitted he was unaware of the waxwork’s unveiling and was appalled by its portrayal. “When I saw it online yesterday, I was shocked. I thought it looked something between a mannequin and something out of the Thunderbirds,” he said. “If it was supposed to be a representation of her in her early 20s, it just looked nothing like her. I thought it was hideous.”
He also noted that the figure did not capture O’Connor's style or appearance, particularly from her era of fame when she released the hit "Nothing Compares 2 U." O’Connor suggested that a statue might be a more fitting tribute to his sister, especially on the first anniversary of her death at the age of 56.
The wax museum’s director, Paddy Dunning, who claimed to have been a longtime friend of Sinéad O’Connor, issued an apology to the O’Connor family. Dunning explained that the figure was created by sculptor PJ Heraghty, who, despite having delivered impressive work in the past, had recently retired and was in poor health. Dunning admitted that he did not have the same positive reaction to the figure as he had in the past and felt it was necessary to withdraw it.
“My heart sank a bit when I saw it,” Dunning confessed on Liveline. “We went ahead with the launch, and I didn’t sleep last night. I had to take the decision to cancel the statue and we’ll go again and we have to do better on this occasion.”
When asked if the museum was using the controversy for publicity, Dunning firmly denied it. “No, absolutely not,” he said. “The wax museum runs itself without needing publicity. We have a launch and that’s it.”
The museum has pledged to create a more accurate representation of O’Connor in the future, acknowledging that they can and must do better.
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