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    1. Culture

    A new statue of Melania Trump has been unveiled and it's divisive

    Jenny Proudfoot's avatar
    By Jenny Proudfoot
    Published 10 July 2019 In News

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    Melania Trump is one of the most talked-about people in the world, and from her controversial fashion choices to her rules within the White House walls, she never fails to make viral news.

    Unsurprisingly, the past few months have been no exception.

    From her red gloves baffling the internet and her breaking a New Year tradition to being the subject of a recent sexist joke by her husband Donald Trump and her seeming to disappear recently, the past few weeks have been all about Melania.

    It isn’t her silence however that has made news this week, instead it’s her hometown, with Slovenia unveiling a statue of the First Lady to mixed reactions.

    JURE MAKOVEC/AFP/Getty Images)
    (Image credit: AFP/Getty Images)

    The statue, carved into a tree, is based on her powder blue inauguration outfit, created by Slovenian artist Ales Zupevc with his chainsaw, and designed by U.S. Artist Brade Downey.

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    And to say that the monument has proved divisive would be a huge understatement.

    ‘The sculptor worked a long time on this. And she does not look as beautiful as she normally is,’ a resident reportedly told Reuters, while another explained: ‘It doesn’t look anything like Melania. It’s a Smurfette. It’s a disgrace.’

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    Melania has yet to voice her thoughts on the statue but we’re sure Donald Trump will be tweeting about it soon.

    Jenny Proudfoot
    Jenny Proudfoot
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    Contributing Features Editor

    Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. After working at Marie Claire UK for seven years - rising from intern to Features Editor - she is now a freelance contributor to the News and Features section.

    In 2021, Jenny was named as a winner on the PPA's '30 under 30' list, and was also listed as a rising star in journalism.

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