Beyonce ‘adjusted’ after claims of whitewashing at Madame Tussauds

Visitors to Madame Tussauds in New York City have criticised the likeness of the Beyonce’s model, saying it does not resemble the singer.

Some claimed her skin had been lightened, or ‘whitewashed’.

The backlash over the figure, which was unveiled earlier this month, has prompted Madame Tussauds to issue a statement defending the sculpture.

It said that lighting and flash photography can sometimes distort the image.

"Our talented team of sculptors takes every effort to ensure we accurately colour match all of our wax figures to the celebrity being depicted," the company told TMZ.

"Lighting within the attraction combined with flash photography may distort and misrepresent the colour of our wax figures," it added.

One Twitter user wrote: "Who made that God awful beyonce waxwork and WHITEWASHED her?!"

Another tweeted: "it's a good thing you're not talking about *Beyoncé. cause this white woman is definitely not her."

Others said the artwork looked more like Lindsay Lohan or Shakira.

One fan said: "That new Beyonce waxwork looks nothing like Beyonce".

Beyonce recently gave birth to twins Sir Carter and Rumi. The singer posted an elaborate photograph of her with them on Instagram.

Madame Tussauds now says they have changed the style and the lighting of the figure and she is back on display.

In a statement to The New York Times the museum said: "We love, respect and enjoy a working relationship with Beyonce.

"We have adjusted the styling and lighting of her figure and she is on display" at the New York location.