Lil Wayne Mocks Pigeon Forge Wax Museum Figure: ‘You Tried’
The Wax replica at Pigeon Forge Hollywood Wax Museum has gone viral for all the wrong reasons.
After RapTV posted a picture of the popular rapper’s wax figure on October 23, the post quickly went viral. Many commenters criticized the artist’s depiction, which was depicted partially bare-chested with tattoos on full display, and some said he looked more like Chucky, the puppet from a horror film franchise, than a real person.
Within hours, the 41-year-old rapper posted this response: “Sorry Wax Museum, but that’s not me! You tried, and I appreciate the effort.”
People magazine noted that Lil Wayne’s wax figure has been on display at the Hollywood Wax Museum since at least summer 2022, depending on when a video of the statue was first posted on TikTok and has just gone viral.
Sorry, Wax Museum, but that’s not me!
However, you tried and I appreciate the effort.— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) October 23, 2023
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s wax sculpture was also busted online
The Lil Wayne controversy comes after Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a statement about it his own wax figure in the Grévin Museum in Paris. Fans also flooded social media with their thoughts on the actor’s “whitewashed” wax figure.
“For the record, I will be asking my team to reach out to our friends at the Grévin Museum in Paris, France, so we can work on ‘updating’ my wax figure here with some important details and improvements – starting with my skin color ,” Johnson continued Instagram.
The Hollywood Wax Museum sculptures take three months to create
The Hollywood Wax Museum opened in Gatlinburg in 2007 and moved to Pigeon Forge in 2012. The attraction’s locations also include Castle of Chaos, Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors and Outbreak.
According to the museum’s website, there are seven artists who take more than three months to create their wax statues.
Before a statue is ready for its red carpet debut, artists first create a clay sculpture and then use it to make a mold. The wax mold is carved to refine the details, and colored wax is mixed to create the skin tone and add details such as freckles (and tattoos). The website states that costumes are made by hand and props are added for added authenticity.
“It’s a big effort, but in the end, all of this attention to detail adds to the magic and wonder of the Hollywood Wax Museum,” the museum’s website says.
Museum officials did not respond to a request for comment.
Liz Kellar is a reporter at Tennessee Connect. Email liz.kellar@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on the Knoxville News Sentinel: Lil Wayne Mocks Tennessee Wax Museum Figure: “You Tried That”
