Madame Tussauds has “adjusted” the styling and lighting of Beyonce’s new wax figure after people criticized it for “whitewashing” the pop star.
“We love, respect and enjoy a working relationship with Beyoncé,” the museum said in a statement obtained by TheWrap. “We have adjusted the styling and lighting of the figure and she is on display at Madame Tussauds New York.”
The statement comes after a New York Times article said the statue had been removed after the backlash. As of Thursday, the figure had no longer been on display at the New York museum, and a staff member said it was “off the floor until further notice,” according to the Times.
A spokesperson for Madame Tussauds didn’t further specify whether the figure had been removed — even if temporarily — for the adjustments, but told TheWrap the figure was currently on display.
In the past week, people have taken to social media to criticize the pop star’s representation. The outpouring of anger sprouted from a compliment, as one Twitter user posted an image of the figure with the caption, “Beyonce wax figure at @MadameTussauds is FIERCE!”
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.
Following the outrage, Madame Tussauds released a statement stating that the pictures that have gone viral offer 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.”