ALBAWABA - A 12-foot bronze sculpture of a fictional "plus-size black lady" was recently installed in the heart of Times Square. The sculpture was placed on April 29, 2025, and since then, it has sparked various mixed reactions on social media.
Titled "Grounded in the Stars" and created by British artist Thomas J Price, the Times Square sculpture was inspired by Michelangelo’s David, a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance that currently resides in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, in Florence.
The sculpture's official page described it as a "subtle nod to Michelangelo’s David."
"Grounded in the Stars" will be on display til June 17 and is placed in contrast with the man sculptures in Duffy Square.
'Woke' plus-size black lady sculpture in Times Square sparks controversy
While many took to social media and complemented the sculpture for increasing representation and showcasing a positive message, several others weren't so keen about it and swarmed posts featuring Thomas J Price's art with hateful and judgmental comments.
Many mockingly likened the black woman to the Attorney General of New York, Letitia James. A social media user wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), "What do you think of the new Letitia James statue in Times Square?"
Another added, "Is she someone famous or just a DEI project?"
others called out the sculpture, stating that because the woman is made up, and hasn't achieved anything in real life, she "doesn't deserve" to be put up in such an influential place.
Times Square has become one of New York's most influential spots as it's brimming with culture and is visited by millions of people across the globe.
