In a moment that left her momentarily lost for words, acclaimed actress Gillian Anderson came face-to-face with her remarkably lifelike waxwork for the first time this Wednesday. The star, best known for her role as Dana Scully in The X-Files, gave her seal of approval to the effigy ahead of its grand unveiling at the world-famous Madame Tussauds on London's Baker Street.
A Year of Meticulous Collaboration
Anderson, 57, worked in close collaboration with the museum's master artists for over a year to perfect her likeness. The process was intensely detailed, involving precise measurements, extensive reference photography, and joint decisions on the figure's final pose and styling. The result is an astonishingly accurate replica that captures the star's essence perfectly.
The Iconic 'Vulva' Dress Takes Centre Stage
The wax figure is styled in the now-iconic 'Vulva' dress, a floor-length, corseted gown designed by Gabriela Hearst. Anderson originally wore this delicately embroidered dress to the 82nd Golden Globe Awards in 2024, where it immediately sparked global headlines. In a generous gesture, Hearst herself has donated the original dress to Madame Tussauds to complete the display.
The red-carpet-ready ensemble is finished with dazzling diamante jewellery, metallic Aquazzura platform heels, and a matching clutch bag. On the launch, Anderson reflected, '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 realized, yes, it makes sense to re-create this moment at the Golden Globes.'
More Than a Dress: A Symbol of Empowerment
Anderson expressed that the dress's impact surpassed all expectations, becoming a powerful symbol. 'The dress became a much bigger conversation than even I had anticipated,' she said. '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 launch of her waxwork coincides with a busy period for the actress, who is beloved for roles from The X-Files to Sex Education. She has several highly anticipated projects on the horizon, including Channel 4's Trespasses and Netflix's American Western The Abandon, scheduled for release on 4 December.
Steve Blackburn, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, commented: 'Having Gillian Anderson join our star-studded lineup is a huge honour. She is the perfect modern-day icon, from sci-fi legend to red carpet trailblazer... we can't wait for guests to come face-to-face with this incredible, conversation-starting, statement dress.'
