The 1998 world champion had disappeared from the museum for a few years. His new statue will be presented on Monday, October 24.
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“It is a demand for visitors that is very strong“, said Sunday, October 23 on franceinfo Yves Delhommeau, director general of the Grévin museum while the wax statue of Zinédine Zidane makes its big return this Monday in the museum – in the presence of the footballer – for the third time.We thought we could still improve his character“, adds the director.
franceinfo: This is the third statue for Zinedine Zidane, was it necessary to change it?
Yves Delhommeau: She was made in 1999 after the 1998 FIFA World Cup. She was remade in 2009, so we thought we could still improve her character. It had disappeared from the museum for a few years. He’s someone who also gets better with time and so we were happy to do it again, especially since the demand for visitors is very strong. Zinedine Zidane therefore received us. We took the measurements again. We redid the photos. We molded his hands to recreate an even more iconic character. We missed him. It was requested by the whole world. It represents the image of France. There are only two characters who have been remade three times at the Grévin museum in the course of history, they are General De Gaulle and Queen Elisabeth.
Remind us what are the criteria to enter the Grévin museum?
To enter the museum when you are French, you are chosen by the Grévin Academy, chaired by Stéphane Bern and to which Nikos Aliagas also belongs, who will also be present at the induction of Zinedine Zidane on Monday October 24. You have to have a popularity that lasts over time, be loved by the French and have a recognized talent. On the international stage, the last choice was made by the public and it was the American actor Dwayne Johnson who was elected and who should be represented in the coming months. Note: the record for selfies was Kylian Mbappé then the Queen of England, but I think Zinedine Zidane will be part of the Top 3 for selfies. And then as a reminder, the museum opened its doors in 1882. It has evolved a lot. There are around 800,000 visitors per year. This year, we are also having a better year than 2019, it was unexpected.
Who will be the next celebrities to make their entrance?
Among the next stars to make their debut is actress Audrey Fleurot. We also have to start working on Virginie Efira, who will come later this year. And then we have just inaugurated a little emblematic character that is Little Nicolas.