From Madame Tussauds to Gold Coast Wax Museum, these establishments have become home to the most creative and impressive wax figures of famous personalities. We don't need to be a professional to know that creating such takes much time and precision.
The craft is so revered that it makes waves around media publications almost every time they launch a new figure. However, it makes news for two reasons: people are either too stunned or disappointed. Take a look at these examples and judge for yourself.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman is undoubtedly one of the most iconic stars of her generation and is consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid actresses. This picture of hers was even taken during the 75th Academy Awards while accepting her Best Actress Oscar Award for "The Hours."
Kidman hadn't had a wax figure until 2007 when this appeared at the Madame Tussauds in Vienna. When it dropped, fans couldn't help but comment on the differences in her facial features. It was a good thing her tall height was replicated, though!
Selena Gomez
With a discography like that of Selena Gomez, it isn't surprising that her wax figure is based on one of her red carpet glam. In this case, they followed her 2013 MTV Movie Awards style, and while the gold-spangled dress was perfectly rendered, many people were not very happy with the face.
A "Teen Vogue" report even described this as "eerily like the pop singer." Well, we have witnessed Gomez grow up on-screen, and if you want to take a look for yourself, it's available at the Hollywood Madame Tussauds.
Zac Efron
Rising to prominence as high school heartthrob Troy Bolton in "High School Musical" to portraying serial killer Ted Bundy and as lifeguard hunk in "Baywatch," we have seen Zac Efron shine in every role he is assigned to. He grew up on-screen, and this is why many people were quick to analyze this one wax figure released in 2011.
Regardless, his most popular Madame Tussauds Wax Figure had his beach body and made it to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," where he stood by it side to side.
Brad Pitt
Named as one of the most influential people in the American entertainment industry, it's not difficult to spot Brad Pitt and anything else attached to him. His London Madame Tussauds wax figure featured him in a sophisticated black suit with a crisp white shirt and tousled hair.
This wax figure was revealed to the public ahead of Pitt's birthday in 2013, alongside the figure of his former partner, Angelina Jolie. As Teen Vogue reported, the museum placed the two figures at a respectful distance following their separation.
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber started young in the industry, and now that he has grown, he is considered one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Witnessing his transformation from a young boy to a fine man made it easy for the public to spot the unusualness of this wax figure. His other figures received mixed comments from the fans too.
Regardless, the most important thing is that his career continues to aim high. He is credited with three Diamond certifications for creating the hits "Baby," "Sorry," and "Despacito."
Julia Roberts
Just days before Julia Roberts bagged an Oscar Best Actress Award for "Erin Brockovich," a wax figure was released and went with the hype. However, it's hard to tell if this figure captured that mesmerizing beauty that Roberts is known for, not to mention she rose to prominence after headlining "Pretty Woman."
They also didn't expect her sudden change of hairstyle from classic curl to sleek style. Roberts remains one of the most bankable stars, and other museums have tried creating more wax figures of hers.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé has not earned the title "Queen Bey" for nothing. One of her unforgettable releases was the classic hit "Crazy in Love," which also had a music video. It received critical and commercial success, having bagged three MTV awards.
As such, wax museums were quick to commemorate the moment and released a wax figure last 2017. However, many people were frustrated by the product and commented that the skin was too light-skinned and the dress was too orange. In 2019, Madame Tussauds London unveiled a figure that finally matched the fans' expectations.
Lindsay Lohan
It's almost impossible to think of the classic film "Mean Girls" without thinking of Lindsay Lohan. She embarked on a name in the industry starting from a young age, such as starring in "The Parent Trap" and "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen."
From being a childhood star to a fine Hollywood actress, it's understandable how viewers commented on this wax figure and how it looked older than Lohan's actual age. More importantly, her youthful and glowing personality was not evident enough.
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe has made appearances in a variety of genres, such as the romantic comedy "What If?" the horror film "The Woman in Black," and the drama film "Kill Your Darlings." Despite these, he will always be credited for being Harry Potter in the "Harry Potter" film series.
This particular wax figure came out in 2007, the same year that "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" was released. Unfortunately, it looked older than Radcliffe, who was only embracing his youth at that time.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio launched his career in the late '80s by appearing as a guest in various television shows. His career skyrocketed after starring in "Romeo + Juliet" and "Titanic." Since then, he has consistently ranked as one of the world's highest-paid actors.
DiCaprio switched from different genres and has always tried to keep his personal life in balance despite the busyness of his career. Maybe the fast-changing of times is one reason this specific wax figure looked slightly different from his main features, such as the skin and eyes!
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is a beloved face on-screen, both for her music and acting stint. As an actress, she is best known for the series "Victorious" and "Sam & Cat." She furthered her stardom with award-winning songs such as "Break Free" and "Thank U, Next."
Grande has formed a massive following, and while we can get a glimpse and photo of her other wax figures, this one figure made a mark on history. Her fans claimed that there are people who look more like her compared to this.
Britney Spears
Princess of Pop Britney Spears influenced pop revival and gifted the world with award-winning songs and performances. Her performances were so iconic that her wax figures were mostly taken from her shows where she danced on-stage.
Measuring a person's stance is an integral step in creating a wax figure, and we'd like to assume it was difficult to catch the pop princess in a stable position onstage. This is probably why this figure does not exactly mirror her dancing prowess.
Robert Pattinson
The success of "The Twilight Saga" film series is not without the brilliance of Robert Pattinson, who portrayed the telepathic vampire Edward Cullen. During its peak, Pattinson was hailed as one of the most popular actors, especially among women.
He went on to pursue different roles and genres, but people still credit him for the strong yet attractive Cullen. Creating this wax figure was a brave attempt, but we hope it also caught the same attention that got his fans to swoon every time they walked past him.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez is a pop culture icon and a triple-threat entertainer, and we can see her rock every role, song, and performance. Apart from her talent, another thing that people look up to is her beauty, which never fades no matter what she does onstage.
While fans appreciated her fierce look in this wax figure, they wished her hair and makeup were more defined. This is maybe because the wax is easy to cut, shape, and manipulate, especially at room temperature.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston started acting at a young age and has mastered the art of looking great while staying in character on-screen. She told Shape in an interview that her skin routine includes scrub, mask, and moisturizer that gives her skin a dewy and glowing feeling.
While this wax figure captured Aniston's expressive eyes and signature smile, Cosmopolitan commented about its skin texture. As they put it, this is probably what happens when one stops maintaining a strict night care routine.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift holds the record for having the highest-grossing North American concert tour in history and most concert tickets ever sold in a single day. With this, it is not surprising that her wax figures unveiling seemed like a concert tour too.
While fans had comments on this specific figure with her wearing an "I Love LA" shirt, they appreciated the improved ones released later on. Perhaps this Taylor Swift statue could have fun and hang out with Selena Gomez as they are besties in real life too!
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is known for top-billing Hollywood films and his association with nonprofit organizations. However, he is also known for one thing the public might have forgotten: poker. He won the 2004 California State Poker Championship and qualified for the World Poker Tour.
In 2014, Las Vegas Hard Rock Casino asked Affleck to refrain from playing blackjack. Apparently, he didn't do something illegal; he just knew "what he was doing" and was told he was "too good." Well, what a story to back up this blank-stared wax figure.
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake birthed the all-time favorites "Mirrors" and "Can't Stop the Feeling!" While his wax figure closely resembled his stance, people wished the skin tone was not sallow-looking and the hair placements were on point. Luckily, a much better figure was released years later.
This is understandable because, according to Sculpture Commission, real human hair is used in wax figures and is carefully tinted to match the correct color and tone. The hair insertion process takes approximately four weeks as each strand is inserted individually.
David Hasselhoff
David Hasselhoff is most remarkable for setting the Guinness World Record as the most watched man on television, primarily for "The Young and The Restless" and "Baywatch." He also sings and performs, which is where this wax figure was based, though people seem to question why the body looks contorted.
Nevertheless, it stands true to its purpose, which can be traced back to the Middle Ages. During those times, wax figures were displayed to allow the living to pay respect to people who impacted society.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell carved a name in the modeling industry when she was 15 and has become among the most recognizable and in-demand models. She worked with major fashion brands like Chanel and Givenchy, to name a few. With this record, it was surprisingly disturbing when this wax figure came out.
Perhaps they want to drive out inspiration from Campbell herself on how to make a good model, which Masterclass compiled. Her advice includes not worrying about the audience, making your clothes the star, and practicing until perfection.
Mark Zuckerberg
Here we make way for the co-creator of the top social media website Facebook who is also a business magnate and philanthropist. Zuckerberg is often invited for interviews and conferences, but this wax figure looked like it was just happy to be there and bond with visitors.
This barefoot and cross-legged figure got people lined up for selfies, as reported by Business Insider. After a while, we would like to assume they posted it on Facebook with some pride after sharing smiles with the creator himself.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep is often regarded as the best actress of her generation, able to pull off any genre and accent easily. One of her proudest moments was receiving the Oscar Best Actress Award for portraying British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady."
While this wax figure got Streep's happy expression and glamorous style that night, many publications quickly addressed their concerns. As put up by one Cosmopolitan writer, the wax version somehow radiates a more negative reason for happiness.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus transformed from being a teen idol in "Hannah Montana" to releasing heartbreak anthems such as "Wrecking Ball." We're curious if this lifelong transformation was the reason they couldn't perfectly capture Cyrus's bliss, but her fans were not so happy with the result.
Still, if you are a big fan, everyone is welcome to pose and appreciate their favorite icons and celebrities. Some museums do not allow guests to touch figures, but others, like Madame Tussauds Hollywood, permit guests to do so.
Oprah
This wax figure looked like Oprah at one glance, but the more you stare at it, the more you notice the differences. Some differences include her skin, eyes, and her iconic facial expressions. Well, who knows? Maybe she just hosted an intense episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
One fundamental process in the creation of wax figures is taking photos of a person from every angle. This method is to endure that the portrayal is completely accurate, with almost no room for errors.
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" music video holds the record for being the first music video by a solo female rapper to reach one billion views on YouTube. With such a monumental mark, it should be where her wax figure was based. Yet once it was released, social media thought it was not close.
Despite the public's criticisms, Nicki Minaj gave her approval to release the wax figure. She even posted a video of it and commented how much it looked the same, and she could not wait to see it.
Prince William
Marie Tussaud changed the game when she began making more wax figures more than 200 years ago. Since then, the process of creating figures has become more defined, and museums have been built one after another. Of course, the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London featured the royal family, one of which being Prince William.
Like some of the wax figures we discussed here, this statue of Prince William resembled closely. There were also wax figures of Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is one of the world's best-selling music artists and the only female artist whose four singles sold at least 100 million copies globally. Another remarkable thing about her is that she constantly rebrands herself with a new persona or style every time she releases a new project.
This particular Lady Gaga wax figure was based on one of her performances, and unfortunately, it looked very little like the singer. The only sure thing copied here was the outfit, but the rest of the details left people wondering.
Michael Jackson
King of Pop, Michael Jackson is undeniably one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century, and his influence on music, dance, fashion, and life story legacy continues to flourish today. As such, many wax figures paid homage to Jackson, but this particular one, located in Shenyang, China, received mixed comments for the weird body position and skin color.
More improved figures of the icon are displayed nowadays, and we wonder what could have been the late Jackson would've thought of these crafts.
Christina Aguilera
Wax museums house a collection of wax sculptures representing famous people from history and iconic personalities exhibited in real-life stances. Then, people can roam around and take a selfie as if they saw their favorite artist in real life!
However, with wax figures different from celebrities, people may doubt even going there. This is one criticism people threw about Christina Aguilera's waxwork in 2007. Luckily, the figure captured her beautiful pose, honoring the "Voice of a Generation," who helped revive pop culture.
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson was once a matinee idol at his peak, and looking at his actual photos, we cannot deny his on-screen charm and talent. Hollywood is not the same without his breakout acting in the action series "Mad Max" and the comedy film series "Lethal Weapon."
At first glance, we can ultimately say this is Gibson, but looking further at his detailed facial qualities can formulate questions. Some features that looked slightly different include the eyes and smile, which old fans would quickly point out!
Heidi Klum
Since Heidi Klum appeared on the cover of the 1998 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, her career has continued to soar high, and she was even named one of the world's top-earning models. Sculptors had a lot of references they could get, whether from her Victoria's Secret runways or magazine covers.
On the other hand, the photographer chose to take a close-up photo of this wax figure, resulting in people commenting about its dead-eyed stare and odd chompers. A better-looking figure was released later on, which Klum herself acknowledged.
James Brown
James Brown's legacy is worth any memorabilia. Throughout his career, he has earned the nicknames "the Hardest Working Man in Show Business," "Godfather of Soul," and "Mr. Dynamite." A significant collection of his personal artifacts were exhibited at the Augusta History Museum in Georgia.
Madame Tussauds moved too, and they copied one of his looks taken from a time when he was performing a powerful set. Although this was a fair replica of the icon, the audience favored a better-looking one.
Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr carved a name in the industry for being the drummer of the iconic rock band the Beatles. Apart from drumming, he also lent his skills in singing and composing as he wrote the band's hits "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden."
The influence of the whole group made them the first pop group to appear at Madame Tussaud, and they also took an actual group photo beside their wax figures. Despite that, fans have expressed their disappointment with the final output.
Chris Hemsworth
Among all the other roles Chris Hemsworth handled, he is probably most credited for giving life to Marvel Cinematic Universe's Thor. Thor is arguably hailed as the strongest avenger for being blessed with the powers of a god and is the only one capable of defeating their archenemy, Thanos.
In honor of MCU's legacy, Madame Tussauds released wax figures inspired by the Marvel superheroes. And although Thor is considered the God of Thunder and the strongest one, fans were not sure if his wax figure gave enough justice.
Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke's portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in the fantasy drama series "Game of Thrones" led her to multiple accolades and recognition. During the show's peak, a wax figure was unveiled to resemble her character.
As soon as it dropped, many fans expressed their dismay and commented about the facial differences as soon as it dropped. Yet Clarke herself defended the craft and even talked excitedly about the image. She jokingly told "Jimmy Kimmel Live" that if anyone is curious about what her brother looked like, it's like that of the figure.
Rihanna
Rihanna is best known for his contributions to the music industry with hit classics such as "We Found Love" and "Where Have You Been." Furthermore, she is also recognized for her involvement in humanitarian causes and the fashion industry. In fact, she was once appointed as an ambassador of education, tourism, and investment by the Government of Barbados.
Her worldwide fame and wholesome contributions deserve a wax figure, yet people were dissatisfied when this particular craft came out. At least her iconic 2009 hair was preserved!
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian may be best known for being part of the famous Kardashian-Jenner clan. Still, she has made a name for herself as a socialite and businesswoman. She launched a fashion boutique and cosmetics products with some of her sisters.
With all the glam surrounding Kim, we may assume it was easy to get a full angle of her features, which is an important step in creating a wax figure. This output got that sass, but we hope the expression was more on point!
Kendall Jenner
Here we have the top-earning model herself hanging out with the wax figure inspired by her. Jenner began modeling when she was 14, appeared in various commercial print campaigns, attended multiple photo shoots, and walked the most prestigious runways for high-end designers.
Her supermodel status is no joke, and we appreciate how they tried to replicate the glam behind her stunning looks through this wax figure. This made much noise that even Jenner herself posed for a photo of her replica!
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford established himself as a leading man in films of several genres, and his achievement in the entertainment industry led him to become an American cultural icon. Outside acting, he is a licensed pilot, a dedicated environmental activist, and a family man.
This wax figure was a brave step to give honor to a public personality like Ford. However, it misrepresented his smooth facade! Fine Art Restoration says wax sculptures would have to reach between 50 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit to melt.
Madonna
Madonna has achieved great lengths since she started venturing into the music industry decades ago. She remains one of the most well-documented figures of the modern age, as various scholarly reviews, literature work, and academic subdisciplines were based on her.
This particular wax figure of Madonna looks delighted to invite guests and encourage them to come over for a quick photo session. While other museums prohibit touching their figures, Madame Tussauds allows guests to hug, touch, and feel their waxworks.
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise is known for performing risky stunts in most of his action films. His creative deeds here and there might be one of the reasons anyone would have difficulty capturing a perfectly angled and still portrait of him.
Fans were not so delighted when this wax figure came out, and Cosmopolitan even proclaimed Cruise did not risk his life just to have this output. Yet anyone would still want to have a selfie with the action star- whether it's a wax or an actual one.
Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle became a member of the British royal family after marrying Prince Harry and is also a former actress. The wax figures of the couple were unveiled in 2018 ahead of their wedding.
They shocked the world when they stepped down as senior royals in 2020. The couple reassured that they still support the royal family despite this change. Following this announcement, Madame Tussauds London removed the wax display of the couple to "mirror their progressive new role within the Royal institution."
Prince Harry
This particular wax figure of Prince Harry decided to base his stance on one of his snow photos. People were quick to comment about the discrepancies, such as how the snow covered his eyebrows when there was nothing in the actual photo.
Prince Harry has always been a sports person and played during his time at school. In his memoir, "Spare," he wrote that he played every dry sport, but rugby captured his heart. He also worked to improve access to sports for young people.
David Bowie
David Bowie left a considerable mark on the music industry and is often credited for his innovative and influential work during the '70s. He performs now and then, and we wonder why his wax figure looks like it ran out of things to do.
Some also point out that his figure looked like other people instead of him. A newer version was released later, yet older versions are still kept to avoid sculptural deterioration, such as the effect of room temperature.
Kate Moss
Kate Moss holds a place in the supermodel world, is considered a fashion icon and has worked and established several fashion trends. As such, creating a wax figure based on Moss would mean a wide range of options regarding what clothing and makeup style the artist wants to follow.
This particular wax figure resembled her supermodel charm, being able to pose on cam with the right balance of posture and glam. Yet many people are still determining if it got the right makeup style to highlight her facial features.
Mr. Bean
Mr. Bean was a worldwide classic for his ability to make people laugh even without talking. His gestures, facial expressions, and the face itself are more than enough to make everyone who watches giggle.
Rowan Atkinson has been acclaimed for his outstanding acting performance in the show, but this wax figure does not seem to keep up with the hype. However, we are not sure if it was because of the coat and tie, the hairstyle, the eyebrows, the rubber-looking overall expression, or all of these combined.
Elvis Presley
With a legacy like that of Elvis Presley, we might assume it was easier for anyone to catch a glimpse of his physique and turn it into a wax craft. Yet this product from Louis Tussauds House of Wax in Great Yarmouth looked unrecognizable and looked more than other people than the King of Pop.
The museum eventually closed down. While some fans were sad to see the wax figures go, rest assured that better-looking ones exist in other museums where they can still celebrate their favorite personalities.
Lance Bass
Lance Bass is best known for being the bass singer for the pop boy band NSYNC. The group's success led him to launch a career in film and television. He established several production companies, including Bacon & Eggs and Lance Bass Productions.
His wax figure looked identical, and fans wish that this younger-looking figure existed in an alternate reality where NSYNC never broke up. Creating this appropriate skin tone and feature takes ten layers of oil paint, as written by Washington Post.