S Poddar
The Dublin wax museum has decided to remove a wax figure of Sinéad O’Connor following strong criticism from her family and the public, who said it looked nothing like the beloved Irish singer.
Unveiled on Thursday, the wax figure was met with immediate disapproval. The museum’s team convened on Friday morning and resolved to withdraw the statue, acknowledging that they “can do better” and promising a more accurate representation in the future.
John O’Connor, Sinéad’s brother, expressed his shock upon seeing the figure online, describing it as not resembling her at all. He shared his feelings on RTÉ Radio’s Liveline program, noting that he was unaware a wax figure of his sister was going to be unveiled. He criticized the figure’s appearance, comparing it unfavorably to a mannequin or a character from the Thunderbirds.
John emphasized that Sinéad took pride in her appearance, especially during her early 20s when she performed “Nothing Compares 2 U.” He found the figure so unrepresentative that he deemed it “hideous,” adding that a friend had remarked it looked worse than mannequins in Shaws department store windows. He suggested that a statue in Dublin would be a more fitting tribute to her memory, considering the abundance of visual references that capture her true likeness.
This incident was particularly poignant as it coincided with the one-year anniversary of Sinéad O’Connor’s passing at the age of 56. John O’Connor underscored the importance of honoring her memory properly, given that she is no longer here to speak for herself.
Paddy Dunning, the director of the wax museum and a long-time friend of Sinéad, apologized to the family. He explained that the sculptor, who had produced excellent work in the past but recently retired due to health issues, delivered the figure the night before the unveiling. Dunning admitted that the figure did not meet the high standards they were accustomed to and that he felt uneasy upon seeing it.
In response to accusations that the museum was seeking publicity, Dunning denied such intentions, stating that the museum operates successfully without needing to court media attention. He concluded that the decision to remove the statue was necessary and vowed to create a more accurate representation of Sinéad O’Connor in the future.
