RuPaul Sashays into Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds Blackpool has just got a whole lot more glamorous as it unveils its first ever UK drag queen figure - RuPaul.

At 7.1 feet (2.175 metres) tall, Mama Ru is the tallest human wax figure ever to be unveiled at Madame Tussauds on Blackpool’s famous promenade. The life-like figure is, as you’d expect, quite the vision in a sequin purple floor length gown worn with the obligatory fishnet tights, diamante jewellery and gold platform heels. And to complete the breathtaking look, the towering figure includes RuPaul’s glorious blonde mane.
 
The world famous drag queen’s figure is situated at the end of a runway, which pays homage to RuPaul's Drag Race reality competition series, and features some of the iconic artist's famous quotes.
 
Stuart Jarman, General Manager at Madame Tussauds Blackpool, said: “Thanks to the popularity of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, drag has become more mainstream in the UK and it is important that Madame Tussauds embrace, support and represent the LBGTQ+ community with this launch. 
 
“I’m incredibly proud to launch the UK’s first ever drag queen wax figure, RuPaul, she really is a sight to behold, and at over seven feet high our tallest human figure ever, I have no doubt Mama Ru will be a big draw and in the words of the iconic star, shantay!”
 
Basil Newby M.B.E, Owner and founder of Funny Girls said: “I am amazed and so happy to see what drag has become through the hard work of people like RuPaul and all drag artists across the country and world.
 
“It’s such good news that drag culture is being featured and celebrated at a top family attraction such as Madame Tussauds in Blackpool
 
“As RuPaul says, Can I get an Amen up in here!”
 
Featuring more than 80 famous faces, Madame Tussauds Blackpool gives visitors the chance to get up close with their heroes, from sporting stars to TV favourites, movie icons, singing sensations and everything in between.
 
It takes a team of 25 artists to work on one wax figure, spending a total of 800 hours collectively. This includes: 350 hours to sculpt the figure, 187 hours to insert a head of hair and 30 hours to make a set of teeth.
 
RuPaul is one of 2,000 wax figures on display around the world, with roughly 150kg of clay used to make each figure equating to 23 stone, the average weight of a tiger.
 
Madame Tussauds Blackpool recently unveiled a new figure of Boris Johnson, complete with the Prime Minister’s trademark untameable hair, and ahead of her Diamond Jubilee this year, the Queen. It has also revamped the Doctor Who set with the addition of the Thirteenth Doctor’s on-screen friend, Dan Lewis, played by well-known actor and comedian, John Bishop, and an original and terrifying Weeping Angel.
 
Stuart added: “A team of the most skilled, artistic and passionate people around the world are involved in making the perfect wax figure and attention to detail is key. The eyes are hand painted and every tiny detail is duplicated including using fine red silk threads as the veins in the whites of the eyes.
 
“Our costume department also works with some of the world’s most sought-after designers and stylists to ensure we’re getting the figure 100 per cent right to ensure fans will love it. We even have donated items of clothing from celebrities’ personal wardrobes that they have previously worn to an event. It really couldn’t get much better!”
 
For further information about Madame Tussauds Blackpool and to book tickets, visit Madame Tussauds official website.