‘Hideous’ Sinead O’Connor waxwork pulled from Dublin museum following complaints

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The wax museum in Dublin had to take down a recently revealed statue of Sinead O'Connor due to complaints from the singer's family that it did not resemble her at all.

When the statue was revealed on Thursday, a lot of people said it didn't look like the Irish singer. Her brother, John O'Connor, said it was "ugly".

The wax figure was revealed on the day before the first anniversary of the Irish musician's passing due to natural causes at the age of 56.

The museum staff gathered on Friday morning and made the decision to remove the wax figure, acknowledging that they could improve and promising to create a more precise depiction.

O'Connor's brother was completely surprised when he saw the image on the internet for the first time and mentioned that it didn't resemble her in any way.

While discussing on RTE Radio's Liveline show last Friday (26 July), he expressed surprise when he found out that a wax figure of his sister was going to be revealed this week. He mentioned that he was not informed about this beforehand.

When I came across it online yesterday, I was astounded. It reminded me of a mixture between a mannequin and something from the Thunderbirds.

I believed Sinead would have taken great pleasure in appearing attractive, and she definitely did. However, the portrayal of her in her early 20s during the time of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' didn't resemble her at all.

"I thought it was very unattractive."

He said: "Last night, a friend of mine mentioned that he had seen something better in Shaws (department store) displayed in the window."

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Mr. O’Connor suggested that a fitting way to remember her would be to erect a statue of her in Dublin.

There are plenty of visuals available, like videos and photos, that give a clear idea of what she actually looked like.

He mentioned that it was especially hard to discuss the issue on Friday, marking one year since his sister passed away.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of my sister. It is crucial for me to address this because she is no longer able to advocate for herself. That is why I have decided to reach out to you regarding this matter.

Paddy Dunning, the director of the wax museum and self-proclaimed long-time acquaintance of Sinead O'Connor, issued an apology to the family.

He mentioned that the wax museum artist brought the statue the evening before it was revealed.

He mentioned that the artist had produced exceptional work in the past, but due to health issues, they have decided to retire.

"When I examined the statue, I entered to unveil it, and upon viewing it, I did not experience the usual admiration I have for PJ's incredible creations," he shared with Liveline.

I felt disappointed. We decided to proceed with the launch, and I was unable to sleep last night.

During an interview on the radio show, Mr. O'Connor asked if they were seeking attention with their actions. Mr. Dunning responded by saying that they were not doing it for publicity at all.

The wax museum operates smoothly even without any advertising. All we need is one big event to kick things off.

He said, "I had to make the choice to cancel the statue, but we will try again. We need to make improvements and do better next time."

Mr O’Connor expressed his disappointment at the timing of the event, stating that it was particularly unfortunate to occur the day before her anniversary. He mentioned that he could only speak for himself, but he was already upset enough by the situation.

I couldn't sleep last night after witnessing the unjust and inaccurate portrayal of my sister.

Like I mentioned before, the world may have lost a shining light, and indeed they did, but to me, I lost more than that - I lost my sister.

"It should not have been placed there without consulting someone first to see if it was appropriate."

The wax museum released a statement saying that they have paid attention to people's opinions and acknowledge that the figure they made of Sinead does not truly reflect her special presence and essence as they had hoped.

It was stated that Sinead O’Connor's influence on Ireland and the worldwide music scene is immeasurable, and our aim has always been to pay tribute to her in the best and most respectful way.

We are extremely grateful for the support and admiration from the public towards Sinead. Her outstanding career and contributions are truly worthy of recognition.

We are dedicated to making a new wax figure of Sinead O'Connor that truly captures her essence and iconic look.

Our talented artists will start working on this project right away, carefully crafting every detail to honor her legacy in a fitting manner.

We want to thank all those who shared their thoughts with us and want to reassure you that we value and appreciate your input.

"We are excited to reveal a new tribute that truly recognizes Sinead O'Connor and her incredible influence."

With added input from Press Association.