The Panoptikum Wax Museum in Hamburg, Germany, recently unveiled a new wax statue of Taylor Swift, but the reception from fans has been less than favorable. The statue, intended to replicate Swift’s appearance at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards, features her in a sequined romper and her hands forming a heart shape—a gesture familiar to her fans. However, social media users, particularly Swift’s passionate fanbase, have criticized the statue for its lack of resemblance to the singer.
Comments ranged from disbelief to outright criticism, with one fan saying, “It’s not even close at this point I’m quite confident that they make this all on purpose,” and another asking, “Who is that cause it’s not Taylor.” Many felt the statue missed the mark entirely, with one remarking that it looked like someone had described Swift to the sculptor from memory. Some fans even called for the artist to be fired.
Despite the backlash, Berlin artist Lisa Büscher, who spent seven months crafting the statue, defended the work, noting the challenges of capturing a flawless, wrinkle-free beauty like Swift. She also explained that creating the signature heart pose was particularly difficult. The statue will join other celebrity figures at the museum, including those of Angelina Jolie, Ed Sheeran, and Queen Elizabeth II.
As Taylor Swift prepares for her upcoming performance at London’s Wembley Stadium, the controversy surrounding the wax figure serves as a reminder of the high expectations her fans have and the scrutiny that comes with creating a likeness of such a beloved celebrity.
