Madame Tussauds Dubai has opened to the public for the first time at the lifestyle destination Bluewaters Island as Emirati athlete and Olympic weightlifter Amna Al Haddad, as well as radio host and serial entrepreneur Kris Fade were given the honour of cutting the ribbon and declaring the attraction open.

 

Established in London in 1835, Madame Tussauds is a global institution and its launch in a Gulf country was a special moment for the region. The Dubai edition is the 25th version of the wax figure attraction internationally, and it introduces something new and unique to the regional entertainment landscape.

 

Bringing together handcrafted, like-for-like figures from the worlds of movies and television, sport and science, music, history, art, pop culture, politics and more, Madame Tussauds Dubai is a one-of-a-kind destination. 

 

With seven themed zones to explore and over 60 lifelike wax figures to discover (including 16 new figures from the Middle East), the attraction is ideal for a family day out.

 

The Leaders & Royals Room, the first zone in the attraction, sets the tone for a memorable trip and gives visitors the opportunity to encounter royalty, world leaders and public and political figures from both past and present. 

 

The Fashion zone is filled with a who’s who of runway icons where fashionistas can admire the queen of British style, Victoria Beckham, put-together a couture-inspired outfit for Anna Wintour’s approval, play at being BFFs with Cara Delevingne, strike a pose with Kendall and Kylie Jenner, take a selfie with the Carla Di Bello and come face to face with Lebanese fashion designer, Elie Saab.

 

Movie buffs can see their fantasies become a reality as they step into the Film area and experience life on the silver screen. Guests can get up close to Audrey Hepburn for a Breakfast at Tiffany’s moment or join Tom Cruise in a high-octane race, scaling the length of Dubai with Spider-Man or debuting a few martial arts moves watched over by the master himself, Jackie Chan.

 

In the Media zone, social media fans can get up close and personal with some of the Middle East’s celebrities, such as radio personality Kris Fade, YouTube phenomenon Bin Baz, Arab Idol presenter, singer and actor Ahmed Fahmi, as well as Arab Idol judge Hassan El Shafei among others.

 

In the Bollywood area guests can make their way through a secret garden awash with plants and flowers, before starring in a bespoke Bollywood music video and showing their best moves in front of an interactive digital screen. After that, it’s time to get acquainted with Bollywood royalty - wax figures of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Madhuri Dixit.

 

The Sports room will enable fans to kick off the experience by taking a penalty alongside football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, throwing a punch at the legendary Muhammad Ali or posing on an F1 winner’s podium as Lewis Hamilton looks on. 

 

Visitors can also admire the strength and tenacity of Emirati weightlifter Amna Al Haddad (and lift a dummy weight alongside her) and check out the wax figure of UAE-representing Olympian Sergiu Toma.

 

The Music A List Party offers a fitting finale to any Madame Tussauds visit. Guests can dance away amongst an array of regional and international stars, including singer Kadim Al Sahir, performer Mohammed Assaf, Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram, Emirati-Yemeni women’s rights activist and music sensation Balqees Fathi, global superstars Will Smith, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and more.-TradeArabia News Service