In an interesting turn of events, a wax statue of world-renowned actor and former wrestler, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, that recently came under scrutiny for the inaccurate depiction of its skin colour has been rectified, according to the spokesperson of the Parisian museum, Musée Grévin.
The amends were conducted under the cloak of nightfall after fans and Johnson himself voiced criticism over the contrasting skin tone. A statement from the museum acknowledged that the construction of this specific wax figure posed a set of unique challenges as meeting Dwayne in person wasn’t plausible. They relied solely on photographs, an approach influenced tremendously by lighting and individual perceptions, creating a daunting task for the sculptors.
They conceded that due to a technical mishap related to the lighting, the skin tone, masterfully crafted using oil paint, was displayed as much lighter than it should have been. Putting to rest any ensuing grievances, the spokesperson briefly reassured, “We have executed the required adjustments.”
The modification was swiftly made after both Johnson and others noted the disharmony with the wax figure’s aesthetic representation. The Hollywood actor, in response, pledged to engage his team with the Musée Grévin to uplift and improve his likeness starting with the most noted discrepancy – the skin tone.
The acclaimed performer, son of a Black Nova Scotian wrestler and a Samoan mother, was puzzled by the discrepancy in skin tone. Comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr. candidly stated, “It doesn’t even look like him anymore,” as he commented on the situation via his Instagram video.
Johnson’s wax representation is a towering figure, measuring six-foot-five and weighing 262 pounds. It was unveiled to much anticipation during the weekend, according to the museum. Despite the public disapproval, Johnson chose to view the situation with good humour and light-heartedness, he quipped about sharing a drink with his wax counterpart on his next visit to Paris.
The museum reportedly sent the updated figure’s photographs to ‘The Rock’, expressing their enthusiastic anticipation for him to visit and celebrate his wax doppelgänger with a proverbial “cup of champagne”.
The creation and execution of the statue were a labour of six months, attributed to the sculptor Stephane Barret and his expert team. It’s worth noting that Johnson’s signature Samoan tattoos required a tedious and focused effort of 10 days and in-depth research. The warm, captivating gaze of Johnson’s wax counterpart was perfected after three attempts, a testament to the team’s commitment to honing the desired texture and detail.
Emphasising the complexity of the project, Barret admitted that replicating Johnson’s slight smile, as seen in their reference photo, posed an additional challenge for the team. Successfully overcoming these obstacles, the statue stands as an homage to the beloved celebrity. Known for his roles in “Moana,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Jungle Cruise,” and multiple instalments of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, Johnson continues to make a mark on the world stage.
