Sex Education star’s waxwork unveiled at Madame Tussauds

By Jenny Garnsworthy, PA

Actress Gillian Anderson has said seeing her waxwork unveiled at Madame Tussauds in the dress she wore to the 2024 Golden Globe Awards “represents empowerment for women”.

The Sex Education star’s “Vulva dress”, a cream-coloured corseted floor-length gown with embroidered vulva designs all over it, was designed by Gabriela Hearst, whose clothes have also been worn by the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex.

Photographs released by Madame Tussauds show Anderson coming face-to-face with her first figure at the Baker Street attraction in central London.

The memorable dress has now been donated to the visitor attraction for Anderson’s waxwork to wear, with the look finished off with diamante jewellery, metallic platform heels and a matching bag.

Anderson said: “When I got the call from Madame Tussauds to say they wanted to create a wax figure of me, I thought, really?

“Who would want to see a figure of me on a carpet rather than as a character? Then I thought about this dress and realised, yes, it makes sense to re-create this moment at the Golden Globes.

“The dress became a much bigger conversation than even I had anticipated, with so many people reacting positively for different reasons.

“I think this dress represents empowerment for women, celebrating bodily autonomy and freedom from shame.

“I wanted to give people the chance to stand next to it and revel in the audacity of it.”

The American actress, who is based in the UK, has been acclaimed for her work in films, on TV and on the stage since first rising to fame as Special Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files.

She will appear in Netflix’s upcoming Western drama The Abandons, which is due to be released next month.

Steve Blackburn, general manager at Madame Tussauds London, said: “Having Gillian Anderson join our star-studded line-up is a huge honour.

“She is the perfect modern-day icon, from sci-fi legend to red carpet trailblazer, working with Gillian has been a genuine pleasure.

“The team have poured their extraordinary skill into recreating every detail of her look and we can’t wait for guests to come face to face with this incredible, conversation-starting, statement dress that Gabriela Hearst has kindly donated for Gillian’s first-ever figure.”

Anderson’s waxwork stands in the attraction’s awards party zone, joining figures such as Timothee Chalamet, Harry Styles, Zendaya and Lady Gaga.