Los Angeles (AFP) – US actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has joined the chorus of mockery after a Paris museum unveiled a botched waxwork of him, suggesting its skin color — among other things — needs “updating.”
Johnson, who is of Samoan and Black origin, took to Instagram to joke about the Grevin museum’s widely derided wax figure, which depicts him with pale white skin, and bears little likeness to his features.
“For the record, 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,” wrote Johnson.
“And next time I’m in Paris, I’ll stop in and have a drink with myself.”
The figure of Johnson was unveiled on social media last week by the Grevin museum, which draws nearly 800,000 visitors a year.
But a photo intended to promote the new statue drew an outcry from Johnson’s fans, ranging from bemusement to anger.
One commenter said the figure looked like an “Eastern European plumber.”
“Why would you white wax (wash) him?” wrote another.
Comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr.released an online video mocking the statue, prompting Johnson to respond.
“You make the Rock look like he David Beckham.It look like the Rock about to be part of the Royal family.I’m low-key offended,” said Jefferson.
The Grevin museum did not immediately respond to AFP request for comment.
In 2018, the museum drew similar mockery for an unflattering figure of French president Emmanuel Macron.
Producing a Grevin sculpture takes six months and costs 50,000 to 60,000 euros ($60-70,000).
