She was known for her big hair and even bigger stage presence. Now those same traits are immortalized in a new statue of Tina Turner — but the internet isn’t sold on the resemblance.
A 10-foot statue of Turner was unveiled this week in Brownsville, Tennessee, the city where the iconic singer grew up. Turner, who passed away in 2023, is celebrated for her signature hair, powerhouse voice and legendary stage bearing.
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The bronze figure shows Turner holding a microphone and trademark big hair styled in motion. Atlanta-based Fred Ajanogha designed the sculpture and said he aimed to capture Turner’s high-energy performances.
Ajanogha has designed many other sculpture, including a project for the Atlanta Police Department in 2020 and an award sculpture for the King Center’s Beloved Community Awards.
About 50 donors helped fund the project for Turner, including Ford Motor Co., which contributed $150,000, according to The Associated Press.
Social media reacts to the details
Once photos of the statue circulated, reactions spread quickly online. From afar, many thought the likeness looked fine. But closer views sparked debate over the accuracy of its features. Some users said the hair was the most accurate detail, while others argued it missed the mark.
“I’m sorry, but the Tina Turner statue is hilarious,” one user wrote. “I can’t look at it without laughing. And that’s my girl, but why’d they do that to her hair?”
“They don’t even care how they make our icons look anymore,” another added.
Others broke down the issues piece by piece: “Hair too big. Mic too small. Not her face. Not her legs.”
Memes and music-inspired jokes
Social media users also leaned into Turner’s famous catalog for commentary.
“Love had nothing to do with this statue,” one joked in a nod to Turner’s Grammy-winning hit. Another riffed on “Simply the Best,” calling it “simply the worst.”
Some compared the piece to the much-criticized Dwyane Wade statue unveiled in 2024, which also inspired viral memes.
While many comments leaned negative, a handful defended the tribute. Some praised the sculptor’s effort to capture Turner’s movement and power, saying only the hair fell short.
Still, one critic went as far as threatening to vandalize the statue.
For now, the bronze likeness of Tina Turner stands tall in her hometown — celebrated by donors and fans, even as the internet continues to debate whether it truly does her justice.
