Honoring Tina Turner in Her Hometown Brownsville
A 10-foot bronze statue of Tina Turner was unveiled in Brownsville, Tennessee, the rural community near Nutbush where she grew up. The city, with a population of about 9,000, hosted the ceremony during Tina Turner Heritage Days.
Sculptor Fred Ajanogha designed the statue to reflect Turner’s signature look: her wild mane-like hair, her expressive movement, and the way she gripped the microphone with one finger extended.
Remembering Turner’s Legendary Career
Turner, who died in May 2023 at age 83, rose from small-town Tennessee to global superstardom with hits like Nutbush City Limits, Proud Mary, Private Dancer, and What’s Love Got To Do With It. Her career inspired generations, from Mick Jagger to Beyoncé.
A Community Celebration of Her Legacy
The statue unveiling drew fans and family, including Karen Cook, who traveled from Georgia to honor the performer. About 50 donors funded the project, including Ford Motor Co., which contributed $150,000.
Fans React Online to the Statue
A 10-foot statue of rock ‘n’ roll icon Tina Turner has been unveiled in her hometown, but social media users couldn’t resist weighing in. Some praised the effort, but many mocked the likeness.
“Now why they gotta do my girl like that,” one person wrote. Another asked, “Does anyone’s statue actually look like them???” Others joked that “five feet of the statue is just the hair” and pleaded that society “needs more sculptors and artists.”
now why they gotta do my girl like that https://t.co/Ba0c4mxqaj
— tara (@weirdotara_) September 29, 2025
Comparisons were also drawn to other statues criticized in recent years, including one of NBA star Dwyane Wade.
The statue now stands near the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, home to a museum inside Turner’s old schoolhouse.
