You know that feeling when your local council unveils a new public artwork and you think, 'Well, that's... interesting'? We've all been there—standing in front of some well-intentioned tribute wondering how something that seemed like such a good idea on paper could go so spectacularly awry.
That's exactly what happened over the weekend in Brownsville, Tennessee, when a 10-foot statue of rock legend Tina Turner was unveiled on 27 September 2025, during the town's annual Heritage Days celebration.
The bronze sculpture, meant to honour the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll in her childhood hometown, has instead become the centre of a social media storm that's got fans around the world shaking their heads in disbelief.
The statue that stopped the internet
The sculpture stands outside Carver High School, where Turner studied as Anna Mae Bullock, and depicts her mid-performance with her signature wild hair and holding a microphone.
From a distance, you might think it captures something of her legendary stage presence. But once photos started circulating online, the reactions came thick and fast.
'Love Tina Turner, but this is not her,' wrote one fan on social media. Another was more direct: 'Take that damn POM POM off my auntie head'. The hair, in particular, has become a lightning rod for criticism, with comparisons ranging from 'an astronaut helmet' to 'a doodle bop'.
'Whoever decided on the hair will not see the kingdom of Heaven'
But it's not just the hair. Critics point to facial features and, in particular, a smile that doesn't resemble Turner in the slightest. One particularly harsh comment noted: 'I'm mad I zoomed in… that's Ronald McDonald'.
The artist behind the controversy
The sculptor, Fred Ajanogha, is a well-accomplished artist based in Atlanta whose public works can be found throughout Georgia. Born in Nigeria in 1958, Ajanogha studied at the Creative Art Academy in Benin City and spent time in studios of well-known contemporary Nigerian artists.
This isn't some amateur effort—Ajanogha's works are in the private collections of former President Jimmy Carter and the late Maya Angelou. He was even commissioned to design the award sculpture for The King Center's Beloved Community Awards.
Ajanogha said he tried to capture Turner's flexibility of movement on stage, how she held the microphone with her index finger extended, and her hair style, which he compared to the 'mane of a lion'.
The statue was constructed over roughly a year, beginning with clay in Atlanta before being transferred to a West Tennessee foundry to cast the final work in bronze.
The cost of commemoration
This wasn't a cheap project. About 50 donors contributed to the statue, including Ford Motor Company, which donated $150,000. Ford is building an electric truck factory in nearby Stanton, making the contribution part of their community investment.
The statue stands near a museum honouring Turner at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, which opened in 2014 inside the renovated Flagg Grove School—a one-room building where Turner attended classes in Nutbush.
A pattern of problematic statues
Unfortunately, Turner's statue joins a growing list of celebrity tributes that have missed the mark. Social media users were quick to compare it to the much-criticized Dwyane Wade statue unveiled in Miami in 2024, which also inspired viral memes.
What makes a successful public statue
- Accurate facial features that clearly resemble the subject
- Proportions that reflect the person's actual physique
- Attention to signature details (clothing, posture, accessories)
- Quality materials and craftsmanship
- Community input during the design process
- Multiple review stages before final approval
The phenomenon of disappointing celebrity statues has become so common that there's almost a playbook for the public reaction. First comes the unveiling ceremony with local dignitaries and well-meaning speeches.
Then the photos hit social media, followed by an avalanche of memes and criticism. Finally, there's the inevitable debate about whether the criticism is fair or whether people should appreciate the gesture regardless of artistic merit.
Why this matters beyond the memes
Turner, who died on May 24, 2023, at age 83 after a long illness, left behind a Grammy-winning career that included hits like 'Nutbush City Limits,' 'Proud Mary,' 'Private Dancer,' and 'We Don't Need Another Hero'. She survived a troubled marriage to Ike Turner to succeed in middle age with chart-topping success.
For fans who remember dancing to 'What's Love Got To Do With It' or being mesmerised by her electrifying stage presence, this statue represents more than just public art—it's meant to be a lasting tribute to someone who broke barriers and inspired generations.
Did you know?
Did you know?
The statue is located in Brownsville, a city of about 9,000 people near Nutbush where Turner attended school. Her original school building was so dilapidated it had to be moved by tractor-trailer from Nutbush to Brownsville to become part of the heritage centre.
The controversy has sparked broader questions about why artists and officials continue unveiling poorly executed statues of Black icons, with supporters calling for more respectful and accurate representations of legendary figures who have shaped culture and history.
Finding the silver lining
Not everyone has been entirely critical. While many comments leaned negative, a handful defended the tribute, with some praising the sculptor's effort to capture Turner's movement and power, saying only the hair fell short.
Local attendee Karen Cook, who travelled from Georgia for the unveiling, said: 'She's a great artist, I love her music. My mom listened to her a lot. It's a big deal and a great thing for the community to have Tina Turner in her small town'.
Perhaps that's the real point here. The statue may not be perfect, but it's opening a conversation about how we celebrate legends. And honestly, Tina would probably have laughed at the debate, big hair and all.
When art divides communities
Statues are tricky—they're not just art, they're statements, conversation starters, and sometimes controversy magnets. Turner's energy and spirit are massive, so maybe it was always going to be hard to capture that in bronze.
The challenge with commemorative art is that it has to serve multiple masters—artistic vision, community pride, historical accuracy, and public approval.
When you're dealing with someone as iconic as Tina Turner, whose image is seared into the public consciousness through decades of performances, photographs, and video footage, the bar is set impossibly high.
What's particularly telling about this controversy is how quickly and decisively the public responded. In our age of social media, there's nowhere to hide when public art misses the mark. The reaction is immediate, widespread, and often brutal.
But maybe that's not entirely a bad thing. Public art, by its very nature, belongs to the public. If the people it's meant to serve and inspire reject it, shouldn't that matter? The challenge is balancing artistic freedom with community expectations and finding ways to honour our legends that truly capture their essence.
Have you ever encountered a piece of public art in your community that left you scratching your head? Or perhaps you've seen a tribute that perfectly captured the spirit of the person it was meant to honour? We'd love to hear about your experiences with public art—the good, the bad, and the downright puzzling.
Original Article
https://www.news.com.au/entertainme...6ebe76858b683bd861813612ad58cf?from=rss-basic
Tina Turner's Statue in Tennessee Is Going Viral for All the Wrong Reasons—Parade
Cited text: Tina Turner‘s hometown of Brownsville, Tennessee, unveiled a new statue to honor the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” on September 27, 2025, as part of their ...
Excerpt: a 10-foot statue of rock legend Tina Turner was unveiled on September 27, 2025, during the town's annual Heritage Days celebration
https://parade.com/news/new-tina-turner-statue-brownsville-tennessee-going-viral
Tina Turner statue unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up—ABC News
Cited text: ... BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. -- A 10-foot statue of rock n' roll queen Tina Turner was unveiled Saturday in the rural Tennessee community where she grew up ...
Excerpt: a 10-foot statue of rock legend Tina Turner was unveiled on September 27, 2025, during the town's annual Heritage Days celebration
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/statue-rock-roll-queen-tina-turner-unveiled-tennessee-126000850
Tina Turner's Statue in Tennessee Is Going Viral for All the Wrong Reasons—Parade
Cited text: The 10-foot-tall bronze sculpture quickly went viral, with fans having strong reactions to the artwork that now sits outside of Carver High School, wh...
Excerpt: The sculpture stands outside Carver High School, where Turner studied as Anna Mae Bullock, and depicts her mid-performance with her signature wild hair and holding a microphone
https://parade.com/news/new-tina-turner-statue-brownsville-tennessee-going-viral
Statue of rock n' roll queen Tina Turner unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up
Cited text: The statue shows Turner with her signature wild hairdo and holding a microphone, as if she was singing on stage.
Excerpt: The sculpture stands outside Carver High School, where Turner studied as Anna Mae Bullock, and depicts her mid-performance with her signature wild hair and holding a microphone
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/statue-rock-n-roll-queen-172816459.html
Tina Turner's Statue in Tennessee Is Going Viral for All the Wrong Reasons—Parade
Cited text: “Take that damn POM POM off my auntie head,” said one fan beside a video of the art piece, while another wrote, “Now why they gave her a drum major ha...
Excerpt: 'Take that damn POM POM off my auntie head'
https://parade.com/news/new-tina-turner-statue-brownsville-tennessee-going-viral
Tina Turner Statue Near Nutbush Gets Dragged Online By Fans
Cited text: And while that may seem fine on the surface, closer inspection of the statue showed a face and in particular, a smile that doesn’t resemble turner in ...
Excerpt: Critics point to facial features and, in particular, a smile that doesn't resemble Turner in the slightest
https://www.theroot.com/why-this-new-tina-turner-statue-has-everyone-pissed-off-2000064514
Tina Turner's Statue in Tennessee Is Going Viral for All the Wrong Reasons—Parade
Cited text: “Nah… that’s Tina Thomas or something,” said one, with another agreeing, “I’m mad I zoomed in… that’s Ronald McDonald.” “Clearly this is the same pers...
Excerpt: 'I'm mad I zoomed in… that's Ronald McDonald'
https://parade.com/news/new-tina-turner-statue-brownsville-tennessee-going-viral
Fred Ajanogha
Cited text: Fred Ajanogha, also known as Ajano, is a well accomplished sculptor.
Excerpt: Fred Ajanogha, is a well-accomplished artist based in Atlanta whose public works can be found throughout Georgia
Fred Ajanogha
Cited text: The majority of Mr. Ajanogha’s public art pieces can be found in, and around, Atlanta Georgia.
Excerpt: Fred Ajanogha, is a well-accomplished artist based in Atlanta whose public works can be found throughout Georgia
Fred Ajanogha
Cited text: To broaden his scope, he attended the Creative Art Academy, which was located in Benin City in Nigeria, under the direction of Mr. Doran Door. He also...
Excerpt: Ajanogha studied at the Creative Art Academy in Benin City and spent time in studios of well-known contemporary Nigerian artists
Fred Ajanogha
Cited text: In addition, other works are located in the notable private collections of former President Jimmy and Roslyn Carter and the late Maya Angelou.
Excerpt: Ajanogha's works are in the private collections of former President Jimmy Carter and the late Maya Angelou
Employee Spotlight: Fred Ajanogha—City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs
Cited text: The OCA is proud to celebrate the incredible artistry of one of our team members, Fred Ajanogha, who was commissioned to design the award sculpture fo...
Excerpt: He was even commissioned to design the award sculpture for The King Center's Beloved Community Awards
https://ocaatlanta.com/archives/21367
'Never be forgiven: Statue of rock queen Tina Turner roasted
Cited text: It was designed by sculptor Fred Ajanogha, who said he tried to capture her flexibility of movement on stage, how she held the microphone with her ind...
Excerpt: Ajanogha said he tried to capture Turner's flexibility of movement on stage, how she held the microphone with her index finger extended, and her hair style, which he compared to the 'mane of a lion'
https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life...ity/2025/09/29/tina-turner-statue-brownsville
Statue of rock n' roll queen Tina Turner unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up
Cited text: It was designed by sculptor Fred Ajanogha, who said he tried to capture her flexibility of movement on stage, how she held the microphone with her ind...
Excerpt: Ajanogha said he tried to capture Turner's flexibility of movement on stage, how she held the microphone with her index finger extended, and her hair style, which he compared to the 'mane of a lion'
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/statue-rock-n-roll-queen-172816459.html
Social Media Calls It: Tina Turner Statue Is Simply Not The Best
Cited text: The statue was constructed over a period of roughly a year. Ajanogha began the piece with clay in Atlanta. He then transferred the work to a foundry i...
Excerpt: The statue was constructed over roughly a year, beginning with clay in Atlanta before being transferred to a West Tennessee foundry to cast the final work in bronze
https://www.blackenterprise.com/tina-turner-statue-tennessee-ajanogha/
Tina Turner statue unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up—ABC News
Cited text: It's a big deal and a great thing for the community to have Tina Turner in her small town.” · About 50 donors gave money for the statue, including For...
Excerpt: About 50 donors contributed to the statue, including Ford Motor Company, which donated $150,000
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/statue-rock-roll-queen-tina-turner-unveiled-tennessee-126000850
Statue of rock n' roll queen Tina Turner unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up
Cited text: It's a big deal and a great thing for the community to have Tina Turner in her small town.” · About 50 donors gave money for the statue, including For...
Excerpt: About 50 donors contributed to the statue, including Ford Motor Company, which donated $150,000
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/statue-rock-n-roll-queen-172816459.html
Tina Turner statue unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up—ABC News
Cited text: Ford is building an electric truck factory in nearby Stanton.
Excerpt: Ford is building an electric truck factory in nearby Stanton
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/statue-rock-roll-queen-tina-turner-unveiled-tennessee-126000850
Statue of rock n' roll queen Tina Turner unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up
Cited text: Ford is building an electric truck factory in nearby Stanton.
Excerpt: Ford is building an electric truck factory in nearby Stanton
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/statue-rock-n-roll-queen-172816459.html
Tina Turner statue unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up—ABC News
Cited text: The statue stands near a museum honoring Turner at the the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. The museum opened in 2014 inside the r...
Excerpt: The statue stands near a museum honouring Turner at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, which opened in 2014 inside the renovated Flagg Grove School—a one-room building where Turner attended classes in Nutbush
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/statue-rock-roll-queen-tina-turner-unveiled-tennessee-126000850
Tina Turner's Statue in Tennessee Is Going Viral for All the Wrong Reasons—Parade
Cited text: This can’t continue,” a third joked, referencing another viral statue unveiled in Miami in 2024.
Excerpt: Social media users were quick to compare it to the much-criticized Dwyane Wade statue unveiled in Miami in 2024, which also inspired viral memes
https://parade.com/news/new-tina-turner-statue-brownsville-tennessee-going-viral
A Tina Turner statue is unveiled. The internet has thoughts
Cited text: Some compared the piece to the much-criticized Dwyane Wade statue unveiled in 2024, which also inspired viral memes.
Excerpt: Social media users were quick to compare it to the much-criticized Dwyane Wade statue unveiled in Miami in 2024, which also inspired viral memes
https://san.com/cc/a-tina-turner-statue-is-unveiled-the-internet-has-thoughts/
'Never be forgiven: Statue of rock queen Tina Turner roasted
Cited text: THE END … Anna Mae Bullock/Tina Turner is going to visit you in your sleep.” · Turner, who was born Anna Mae Bullock, died on May 24, 2023, at age 83 ...
Excerpt: Turner, who died on May 24, 2023, at age 83 after a long illness, left behind a Grammy-winning career that included hits like 'Nutbush City Limits,' 'Proud Mary,' 'Private Dancer,' and 'We Don't Need Another Hero'
https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life...ity/2025/09/29/tina-turner-statue-brownsville
'Never be forgiven: Statue of rock queen Tina Turner roasted
Cited text: Turner teamed with husband Ike Turner for hit records and live shows in the 1960s and ’70s. She survived her troubled marriage to succeed in middle ag...
Excerpt: She survived a troubled marriage to Ike Turner to succeed in middle age with chart-topping success
https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life...ity/2025/09/29/tina-turner-statue-brownsville
Tina Turner statue unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up—ABC News
Cited text: The city of about 9,000 people is near Nutbush, the community where Turner went to school as a child.
Excerpt: The statue is located in Brownsville, a city of about 9,000 people near Nutbush where Turner attended school.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/statue-rock-roll-queen-tina-turner-unveiled-tennessee-126000850
Statue of rock n' roll queen Tina Turner unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up
Cited text: The city of about 9,000 people is near Nutbush, the community where Turner went to school as a child.
Excerpt: The statue is located in Brownsville, a city of about 9,000 people near Nutbush where Turner attended school.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/statue-rock-n-roll-queen-172816459.html
Statue of rock n' roll queen Tina Turner unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up
Cited text: The school closed in the 1960s and was used as a barn before the dilapidated building was moved by tractor-trailer from Nutbush to Brownsville.
Excerpt: The statue is located in Brownsville, a city of about 9,000 people near Nutbush where Turner attended school.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/statue-rock-n-roll-queen-172816459.html
Tina Turner Statue Near Nutbush Gets Dragged Online By Fans
Cited text: Many argue that the tribute does not honor her legacy and raises a larger question: why do artists and officials continue unveiling poorly executed st...
Excerpt: The controversy has sparked broader questions about why artists and officials continue unveiling poorly executed statues of Black icons, with supporters calling for more respectful and accurate representations of legendary figures who have…
https://www.theroot.com/why-this-new-tina-turner-statue-has-everyone-pissed-off-2000064514
A Tina Turner statue is unveiled. The internet has thoughts
Cited text: While many comments leaned negative, a handful defended the tribute. Some praised the sculptor’s effort to capture Turner’s movement and power, saying...
Excerpt: While many comments leaned negative, a handful defended the tribute, with some praising the sculptor's effort to capture Turner's movement and power, saying only the hair fell short
https://san.com/cc/a-tina-turner-statue-is-unveiled-the-internet-has-thoughts/
Tina Turner statue unveiled in Tennessee community where she grew up—ABC News
Cited text: “She's a great artist, I love her music,” said Cook, 59. “My mom listened to her a lot. It's a big deal and a great thing for the community to have Ti...
Excerpt: Local attendee Karen Cook, who travelled from Georgia for the unveiling, said: 'She's a great artist, I love her music.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/statue-rock-roll-queen-tina-turner-unveiled-tennessee-126000850
Tina Turner Tribute Statue Backlash: Fans Share Their Thoughts
Cited text: ... At the end of the day, the statue may not be perfect, but it’s opening a conversation about how we celebrate legends.
Excerpt: The statue may not be perfect, but it's opening a conversation about how we celebrate legends.
https://entertainmentnow.com/music/tina-turner-memorial-statue-tribute-fans-react/
Tina Turner Tribute Statue Backlash: Fans Share Their Thoughts
Cited text: Tina would probably have laughed at the debate, big hair and all.
Excerpt: The statue may not be perfect, but it's opening a conversation about how we celebrate legends.
https://entertainmentnow.com/music/tina-turner-memorial-statue-tribute-fans-react/
Tina Turner Tribute Statue Backlash: Fans Share Their Thoughts
Cited text: Here’s the thing: statues are tricky. They’re not just art… they’re statements, conversation starters, and sometimes controversy magnets. Tina Turner’...
Excerpt: Statues are tricky—they're not just art, they're statements, conversation starters, and sometimes controversy magnets.
https://entertainmentnow.com/music/tina-turner-memorial-statue-tribute-fans-react/
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