Sinéad O'Connor wax figure to be replaced by 'more accurate representation' after public backlash

When images of the figure appeared in online, some people did not hold back their disappointment

Sinéad O Connor's wax figure was unveiled a day before the singer's anniversary. Picture: Sam boal/Collins Photos

The new Sinéad O'Connor wax figure hasn't gone down very well with the public, and it will be removed from the wax museum.

The figure wasunveiled at the National Wax Museum Plus in Dublin on Thursday, just one day before the anniversary of the singer's death on July 26, 2023. 

When images of the figure appeared in the news and online, some people did not hold back their disappointment.

In a statement released today, the National Wax Museum Plus confirmed the figure will be removed from display and they will be "launching a new project to create a more accurate representation."

They added that "the current representation did not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinéad’s devoted fans" and that it "does not capture Sinéad’s unique presence and essence as we intended."

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In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Liveline presenter Joe Duffy said Ms O'Connor's brother, John, had contacted the show calling for the "wax bust of his sister [to] be removed from display immediately". 

"It is hideous and does not resemble my sister," he said. 

We asked readers for their thoughts on the statue, with one saying the figure left them cold.

“There's no likeness or humanity or emotion, it's the head of a robot. Sinéad was consumed with grief and loss in that video, she communicated her vulnerability and pain.” Another said that it was too dark and needed more colour as she was “an enlightened lady”.

One reader said that if it was a country-wide guessing game of who the figure was based on, “the nation would fail”.

“Sinéad was an exceptionally beautiful woman. This shows no bearing to her at all,” they said.

“Is this the Wish or Temu version you ordered? Asking for a friend,” another said.

Social media users also gave their opinions in the comment sections of our posts.

Many people were not happy with the figure. Picture: Julien Behal 

On Instagram, one user wrote: “Is this the Wish or Temu version you ordered? Asking for a friend!” 

“Clearly a case of nothing compares to you,” another comment said.

Commenting on her legacy, one said: “If only she was celebrated this much whilst she was alive. Same as Shane [MacGowan].” 

Another, defending the backlash, said: “In fairness, they can be tricky to get right. Same as statues.” 

Some were comparing the wax figure to a clothing shop mannequin or those used in first aid courses, while others remarked that the figure’s eyes were not like O’Connor’s.

Sinéad had big doe eyes, which made her all the more disarming. Pity.” 

Similar comments about O’Connor’s eyes were left under our post on Facebook, as one user said: “Her eyes in real life were amazing. However, they look sunken in wax. Probably difficult to get her real beauty and soul.”

One asked where her “beautiful” smile was, but this was intentional on the part of the museum's in-house sculptor, PJ Heraghty.

He told the Irish Examiner on Thursday that it was important to capture her atmosphere as a “sad individual”.

“Since it was Nothing Compares 2 U that was going to be played, I figured that was the way to go. You couldn’t have her really grinning like a Cheshire cat playing that in the background,” he said.