Aaliyah’s Estate Asks for 'Respect' after Fan Caught Applying Lipstick on Singer's Wax Figure
Aaliyah's family called out a fan for vandalizing the late singer's brand new wax figure at Madame Tussauds. "Please treat it with respect" read the family's tweet accompanying a photo of the fan caught in the act of putting lipstick on the figure.
Just days after Aaliyah’s wax figure was unveiled in Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas, her family was forced to issue a plea for respect. A fan apparently defaced the figure by applying lipstick on it and restyling its hair.
"PLEASE TREAT IT WITH RESPECT"
“We ask kindly that anyone visiting the Aaliyah wax figure @TussaudsVegas please treat it with respect,” read a message on a Twitter account devoted to the late singer’s estate. It accompanied two photos revealing how one fan repositioned Aaliyah’s hair and even applied lip gloss on her.
Granted that the fan may have done it out of love for the singer whose 18th death anniversary was recently celebrated, it was clearly “inappropriate and unacceptable” according to her family.
Aaliyah died due to a plane crash in August 2001. She was 22 at the time.
Fans rallied in support of Aaliyah’s family and expressed their disgust over the incident.
This is the type of thing where a FACE needs to be shown because this is called vandalism. It's a crime. And this chicken head needs to learn that the hard way. Hope you're pressing charges,” tweeted @JBeezYBabY_AvaB.
“…if I was lucky enough to see it in person I would never be so disrespectful, I'd be so in awe & take a picture. This tribute is so beautiful so I don't know why this happens,” read another concerned tweet.
HONORING AALIYAH 18 YEARS AFTER HER DEATH
Aaliyah died due to a plane crash in August 2001. She was 22 at the time. To pay tribute to her on her 18th year, her brother, Rashad Houghton told Vibe that along with the rest of the family, he worked closely with the museum’s team to come up with the perfect pose and look for her wax figure.
Aaliyah was only fifteen when she released her first album, “Age Aint Nothing But a Number.” It was also at that age when she famously wed singer R. Kelly who was arrested this year for countless sexual abuse allegations, most of them with minors.
For her outfit, they opted for the silver sequined bra and leather pants which she wore in her “Try Again” music video in 2000. According to Madame Tussaud’s Las Vegas studio manager, Adam Morey, they were going for the “sexy, edgy, timeless vibe” which that look represented.
HER CONTROVERSIAL MARRIAGE TO R. KELLY
Aaliyah was only fifteen when she released her first album, “Age Aint Nothing But a Number.” It was also at that age when she famously wed singer R. Kelly who was arrested this year for countless sexual abuse allegations, most of them with minors.
Kelly pled not guilty to the charges, the same way he denied knowing Aaliyah was underage when he wed her. He claimed the singer lied about her age.
However, an old clip of Aaliyah recording with Kelly seemed to denounce his statements when he was recorded saying Aaliyah's real age at the time - 14. That same year, he married her.