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7m ago

Tina Turner Statue Unveiled in Tennessee Hometown Draws Sharp Criticism Over Likeness

The 10-foot bronze, funded by more than 50 donors including Ford, was intended to capture her onstage movement, the sculptor says.

Newly unveiled statue of Tina Turner in Brownsville, TN, and Tina Turner on stage in 1987.
A newly-unveiled statue of singer Tina Turner stands at a park on Sept. 27, 2025, in Brownsville, Tenn.
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Overview

  • Brownsville unveiled the monument on Sept. 27 during Tina Turner Heritage Days at Heritage Park near Carver High School and the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.
  • The statue was designed by Atlanta-based sculptor Fred Ajanogha, who aimed to depict Turner’s stage motion, signature mic grip with an extended index finger, and hair he likened to a lion’s mane.
  • Fans widely questioned the likeness on social media, with many calling the portrayal unflattering, though no plans for revisions have been reported.
  • Project financing came from more than 50 contributors, with Ford providing $150,000 as part of its Good Neighbor Plan for West Tennessee.
  • The piece stands about 7 feet 9 inches on a 2-foot base, was modeled in clay in Atlanta, cast in bronze by a West Tennessee foundry, and took roughly a year to complete.