Dwayne Johnson's wax statue in Paris to undergo transformation after skin lightening controversy

By Ovaise Shariff  |  First Published Oct 25, 2023, 3:46 PM IST

The Grevin Museum in Paris is making adjustments to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's wax figure after it faced criticism for an inaccurate skin tone, reigniting discussions about cultural representation.


Following the backlash over skin lightening, Dwayne Johnson's wax figure in Paris is slated for a beauty transformation. The wax representation of "The Rock" is expected to undergo adjustments to better reflect his true skin tone. The issue of skin lightening has been a contentious topic in India and Southeast Asia, but it appears that it also applies to individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds worldwide.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to request changes to his wax statue in Paris, France. pic.twitter.com/vDmiGiQ6Pa

— BoreCure (@CureBore)

Dwayne Johnson, known for his career as a professional wrestler and his roles in Hollywood action and comedy films, recently had a wax figure revealed at the Grevin museum in Paris. However, this figure received criticism for its noticeably lighter skin tone, sparking accusations of "white-washing" on social media. Dwayne Johnson himself, who has Samoan and Black Nova Scotian heritage, addressed the controversy on Instagram, expressing his intention to collaborate with the museum to rectify the issue and ensure his wax figure accurately represents his skin colour.

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The process of creating the wax statue involved extensive efforts, including finding a man with similar physical attributes to Dwayne Johnson and painstakingly replicating his Samoan tattoos. The museum in Paris promptly responded to the white-washing concerns, acknowledging the problem and sharing insights into the figure's creation, pledging to improve. The Rock's figure is a "work in progress," indicating that it will be adjusted to authentically capture his true complexion.

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