The Best and Worst Wax Figures of Black Celebrities

We all know wax figures aren’t going to be picture perfect replicas of our favorite celebrities. While some of Madame Tussauds creations are eerily accurate, other museums just can’t seem to get it right. Unsurprisingly, it’s the skin color that seems to be the sticking point. With the internet clowning a shockingly bad recreation of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, it’s time to take a look at the best and worst wax figures of Black celebrities.

Dwayne Johnson

The Rock was involved in creating his Madame Tussauds figure, which is why it looks just like him. The Musee Grevin in Paris clearly went a different way, leading to widespread internet mockery of its figure. It looks like they started out doing Mr. Clean and tried to turn it into Dwayne Johnson. The man himself had to weigh in on Instagram, writing, “I’m going to have my team reach out to our friends at Grevin Museum, in Paris France so we can work at ‘updating’ my wax figure here with some important details and improvements- starting with my skin color.” Come on guys, he’s the biggest movie star in the world! Do better.

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The Emmy winner’s wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York is identical to the Pose star and showcases his memorable blue jumpsuit and curtain from the 2020 Grammys.

Tupac Shakur

Fresh off being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Tupac is being celebrated at home, in Oakland, Calif. With the return of his wax figure to Madame Tussauds San Francisco. The rap legend’s figure was one of the first added to the Northern California location in 2014 and has also been featured in the Hollywood museum. When it was originally created, the figure took artists six months to bring to life.

Kamala Harris

Vice President Harris’ term is full of firsts. Though we’re betting that being the first US Vice President with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York was probably not on her radar.

Kamala Harris’ Wax Figure

Dwayne Johnson

The Rock looks like he was chiseled out of actual stone, so it makes perfect sense that he has four wax figures. They are featured at Madame Tussauds New York, Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Orlando. They look so much like him, I’m waiting for one to hit a Rock Bottom on somebody.

Dwayne Johnson’s Wax Figure

Lil Nax X

While no wax figure can imitate Lil Nas X’s effervescent personality, his statue is a spot on replica of the Grammy-winner. In fact, it was so well done, he pranked his friends by using the figure to FaceTime them.

Lil Nas X’s Wax Figure

Rihanna

The “Diamonds” singer has multiple wax figures at various museums around the world. Her newest one, based on her 2018 Met Gala look, can be found at Madame Tussauds New York. She will also have a figure based on her Super Bowl LVII look revealed later in the year at Madame Tussauds Orlando.

Rihanna’s Wax Figure

Angela Bassett

Honestly, if Angela Bassett ever needs to take a break from photo lines or has to do a dangerous stunt on 9-1-1, she can just send in her figure. The resemblance is spooky.

Angela Bassett’s Wax Figure

Jennifer Hudson

The EGOT-winner’s statue is at Madame Tussauds New York – Times Square. The talk show host participated in a “sitting” where “more than 200 measurements were taken to capture the singer and actor’s exact features.” Having her involvement in the figure’s creation certainly made all the difference.

Jennifer Hudson’s Wax Figure

Beyoncé

There’s only one Beyoncé. However, this version from Madame Tussaud’s Berlin is probably the best figure we’ve seen of Queen Bey.

Beyoncé’s Wax Figure

Nicki Minaj

When Nicki Minaj’s wax figure was unveiled in 2015 at Madame Tussaud’s Las Vegas, fans were immediately upset about the fact that a Black woman was put in a questionable position. Mirroring a scene from her “Anaconda” video, she was on all fours, with her butt in the air. The pose inspired visitors to take sexually suggestive photos. Turns out Nicki was in on the whole process and was fine with the figure.

Nicki Minaj’s Wax Figure

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell is one of the most beautiful women in the world. Seems like it would be a slam dunk to make her look gorgeous. Somehow Musee Grevin in Paris managed to mess it up.

Naomi Campbell’s Wax Figure

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson had several different looks in his long career, so there have been countless figures made of the superstar. The more recent ones seem to look more like him, as artists always had problems with his darker skin tone.

Michael Jackson’s Wax Figure

Lizzo

The Grammy-winner just unveiled her figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas in January, The interactive display is based on her 2019 BET Awards performance and sits on top of a giant wedding cake.

Lizzo’s Wax Figure

LeBron James

Let’s be honest: LeBron totally wishes he had the hair his wax figure at the Museo de Cera in Mexico City has.

LeBron James’ Wax Figure

Al Roker

This statue of America’s favorite weatherman isn’t that bad, but no wax figure will ever capture Al Roker’s infectious positivity and enthusiasm.

Al Roker’s Wax Figure

Serena Williams

This is very close and Serena seems happy with the finished product. But, if I’m being honest, the Madame Tussauds New York figure looks more like Venus than Serena.

Serena Williams’ Wax Figure

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Madame Tussaud’s London has a whole Royal Family display. When they decided to step down as senior royals, the museum removed Harry and Meghan from the attraction. However, in 2022 the couple was back in the picture. It’s always something with those royals.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s Wax Figures

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