Celebrities Come to Life in Pigeon Forge, Sort of
If you thought Dolly Parton was the only celebrity you could see in the Smoky Mountains, boy, are you wrong! Thanks to the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, you can see Brad Pitt, Elvis Presley, Natalie Portman, Marilyn Monroe and other stars. Well, in wax form. The only wax museum in the country dedicated entirely to celebrity figures, this two-story museum brings Hollywood to the Smoky Mountains. You can get so close to the stars that you may start to believe they’re alive.
So how do they make these replications? First, they
start with a clay sculpture, using photographs or actual measurements. Then,
they make a mold from the sculpture and wax is poured inside. After that, they
take surgical instruments and remove excess wax from the sculpture. Once the
excess is gone, they fine tune the face to resemble the celebrity. Then they
use colored wax and oil to get the skin tone correct. Next is hair, eyes and
teeth. Then it is time to make the hands and figure out the pose. And of course
the clothing, which is hand-made to match what the celebrity is known for
wearing. Finally, it’s the props. Often times an authentic prop will be used to
make a mold, with the replica being the one used in the museum. It is a very
time consuming process, but the end result is amazing.
They offer special rates for large groups and
discounts for non-profit groups. With themed areas, photo opportunities
throughout and open every day of the year, the Hollywood Wax Museum offers a
great time for the whole family.