Madame Tussauds has unveiled a new wax figure of Idris Elba, and the resemblance is so uncanny that even the actor himself was caught off guard, to the point where the figure successfully unlocked his phone using Face ID.
The reveal took place with Elba on hand, and his reaction quickly became the moment everyone is talking about. Staring at the lifelike sculpture, the actor could barely process what he was seeing.
“Oh my days. It’s mind-blowing,” Elba said in a video captured by the Associated Press. “It’s kind of surreal. It feels like a sense of achievement.”
Then, curious just how accurate the figure really was, he said, “Let’s see if it unlocks my phone,” and held his phone up to the wax version of himself. Moments later, his phone unlocked. He laughed, stunned by the result.
The moment was both funny and impressive, underscoring just how far Madame Tussauds’ craftsmanship has evolved. According to Elba, the process behind creating the figure was no small feat.
He recalled standing in one position for hours while artists captured every detail of his face and body. “You had to stand there in this pose for like three or four hours,” he explained. “Your arms get tired, so they put little sticks under your arms just to make sure that you can keep there and keep the smile going forever.”
Seeing the finished product was another level entirely. “I’ve got a Madame Tussauds figure,” he said, still sounding amazed. “Is that what I look like, really?” He joked about how people might react, imagining visitors saying he looks taller in person or noticing details like his nose, embracing the humor that often comes with seeing yourself reflected so realistically.
Madame Tussauds figures are often treated as pop culture milestones, reserved for artists and actors whose careers have made a lasting global impact.
Congratulations, Idris!
Photo Credit: Instagram – IdrisElba
