Lighten up, Beyonce fans; Madame Tussauds isn’t out to malign your hero.
In the wake of widespread criticism over its wax figure of the “Lemonade” singer, the wax-figure company issued a statement Wednesday explaining the figure’s appearance.
According to Madame Tussauds, a photo of the figure — which is currently on display in Madame Tussauds New York — that began making the social-media rounds Tuesday offers an inaccurate depiction of the figure due to factors beyond their control.
“At Madame Tussauds, our talented team of sculptors take every effort to ensure we accurately color match all of our wax figures to the celebrity being depicted,” a Madame Tussauds spokeswoman told TheWrap. “Lighting within the attraction combined with flash photography may distort and misrepresent the color of our wax figures which is something our sculptors are unable to account for at the production stage.”
The museum also provided original photography of the figure, which viewers can see above and draw their own conclusions from.
The outpouring of anger actually sprouted from a compliment, as one Twitter user posted an image of the figure with the caption, “Beyonce wax figure at @MadameTussauds is FIERCE!”
Beyonce’ wax figure at @MadameTussauds is FIERCE! pic.twitter.com/7UDyi9VEWT
— Joe (@CCFan007) July 18, 2017
That opinion, however, turned out to be in the minority, with many fans contending that the figure was a far-too-pale imitation of the “Lemonade” singer.
“It’s a good thing you’re not talking about *Beyoncé. cause this white woman is definitely not her,” wrote one disappointed observer.
“Bitch Beyoncé??? This looks more like a Bethany or a Becca or maybe a Britney….,” mused another Twitter user.
One observer who predicted the museum’s response early on: Actress Ellen Barkin, who tweeted Wednesday, “I’m waiting for Madame Tussaud to say…’It’s just the lighting.’”
I'm waiting for Madame Tussaud to say…"It's just the lighting" https://t.co/VpwVjtaqwS
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) July 19, 2017