A famed Paris museum said it would on Wednesday (Oct 25) reinstall a waxwork of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson with a more true-to-life look after it was taken off public show for additional work when the US actor complained about its pale skin tone.
Johnson, who is of Samoan and black origin, took to Instagram this weekend to joke about the Grevin Museum’s wax figure, which appeared to depict him with white skin, and bears only a vague likeness to his features.
Comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr released an online video mocking the statue, prompting Johnson to respond.
Jefferson said in the video that The Rock was being made to look like former England soccer star David Beckham or “part of the Royal Family”.
“I’m low-key offended,” said Jefferson.
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 (US$60,000 to US$70,000).