Las Vegas Weekly

January 14, 2009 · 9:06 AM

Morning Call: Madame Tussauds to swear in President-elect Barack Obama

By Robin Leach

President Barack Obama.

Photo: Tom Donoghue /www.donoghuephotography.com

Before the 44th president of the United States is sworn into office Monday, President-elect Barack Obama will receive another great honor usually reserved for rock stars, athletes and the deceased right here on the Strip. His new wax figure will be sworn in as the newest member of Madame Tussauds at The Venetian.

The unveiling is set for tomorrow at 10 a.m., and a number of local students will read essays celebrating his new legacy. I learned that it took 350 hours to sculpt Obama’s figure and an additional 175 hours of molding, 140 hours to install his hair -- each strand individually -- and wardrobe, 14 hours to make his eyes, 28 hours for his teeth and 49 hours to color his head. In all, it took six months of collective time to create his figure.

Photo: Tom Donoghue /www.donoghuephotography.com

President Barack Obama.

It’s supposed to be secret until tomorrow, but I can reveal that Obama will stand with Martin Luther King Jr. on one side of him and current President George W. Bush on the other side. The figures are located in the special Spirit of America room, which also features John Wayne, Muhammad Ali and the late President John F. Kennedy and the late first lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

Another amazing secret! When Obama’s figure is unveiled tomorrow, it will actually be 2 percent larger than he is in real life. That allows for the wax shrinkage over time before it settles into his exact duplicate!

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