Tina Turner fans don’t hold back on new statue of the pop star: “I can’t look at it without laughing”
A stature in honor of music icon Tina Turner has been unveiled in her hometown in Tennessee - but has met with a savage response from internet users.
A new statue of Tina Turner has attracted widespread online derision in the wake of its unveiling in the iconic singer’s hometown in Tennessee.
Created by the sculptor Fred Ajanogha, the bronze statue was revealed on Saturday in Brownsville, as part of the city’s annual Tina Turner Heritage Days.
The artwork depicts Turner, best known for 1980s hits such as “The Best” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It”, in a characteristically assertive on-stage stance as she performs a song, microphone in hand.
The seven-foot-tall monument to Turner, who died in May 2023 at the age of 83, has been installed in Brownsville’s Heritage Park - a location close to the high school the “Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll” attended.
A 10-foot statue of rock n' roll queen Tina Turner was unveiled in the rural Tennessee community where she grew up.
— ABC News (@ABC) September 28, 2025
Read more: https://t.co/sSIFwmHsf7 pic.twitter.com/lGnfJFlFks
“More than a statue”
Speaking in June, Brownsville mayor William Rawls said: “This is more than a statue - it’s a story in bronze, a symbol of triumph, and a message to future generations that greatness can come from anywhere.”
Now the sculpture has been revealed, however, fans appear less enthused.
“Hopefully there is a return policy”
“Words fail,” one poster declared on X. “Great art does that, leaves you speechless. So does an abomination like this.” Another X user added: “I can’t look at it without laughing.”
“Let’s normalize refusing ugly statues and hiring someone else to start over,” said a further poster on X, while a commenter on Instagram agreed: “Hopefully there is a return policy on this thing.”
New Tina Turner statue unveiled over the weekend here in Tennessee. Words fail. Great art does that, leaves you speechless. So does an abomination like this.
— slimzim (@jameszimmermann) September 29, 2025
Might have to stop and see it next time I'm near Memphis. Pictures can't possibly do it justice. pic.twitter.com/TNzSzqM3cP
Celeb statue hall of shame
The Turner statue is merely the latest in a growing list of celebrity sculptures that have been subjected to incredulous social-media mockery in recent years. Other notable examples include:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Remember that famous Cristiano Ronaldo statue ? Emanuel Santos saw his dream project turn into a nightmare to him and his family, the sculptor was invited for a second chance, we all deserve it a 2nd chance. pic.twitter.com/DZL6ttnWUu
— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) March 29, 2018
- Mohamed Salah
A statue has been made of Mo Salah with his iconic celebration...
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) November 4, 2018
Who did it better? 😂 pic.twitter.com/c6l1jKd4Fa
- Lucille Ball
Statue commemorating what Lucille Ball would look like if she’d been hit in the head with a hammer repeatedly pic.twitter.com/XQ8odYWoRl
— Rory Blank (@BoneJail) June 11, 2023
- Melania Trump
Sculpture of Melania Trump in her Slovenian hometown. The life-sized statue depicts Trump in the blue outfit she wore to her husband's presidential inauguration in 2017 and shows her raising her left hand in a waving gesture. pic.twitter.com/myKRTh3FMK
— Jerry Saltz (@jerrysaltz) July 6, 2019
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