Cultural Impact: A Bold Celebration of Black Women in Public Art
The Times Square statue, “Grounded in the Stars” by Thomas J. Price has become a powerful symbol in the heart of New York City. Supporters praise the 12-foot bronze figure as a bold celebration of Black women, particularly plus-size women, in a public space long dominated by statues of white men. One X post cheered, “Love how this 12ft bronze statue in Times Square breaks the mold celebrating a plus-size Black woman in a space dominated by statues of men.”
The work aims to foster empathy and introspection in a busy urban environment, encouraging viewers to rethink representation and beauty in public monuments. For many, the statue marks an important step in diversifying the visual landscape of New York City’s iconic Times Square.
Backlash: Stereotyping Claims, Political Tensions, and Health Critiques
Despite praise, the statue has faced sharp criticism online. Some X users argue it reinforces negative stereotypes, with comments like, “It’s just some obnoxious looking overweight Black woman, it’s reinforcing those preconceived notions.” Others mocked it, saying, “Congratulations Black people. This is what the liberals think of you… a fat Black woman in a ‘ready to fight a Walmart employee’ stance.”
Conservative voices, including OutKick and Matt Walsh, criticized the statue’s placement as a deliberate “contrast” to the white male statues nearby, calling it a symbol of identity politics. Some critics falsely linked the artwork to the 2021 removal of a Thomas Jefferson statue from City Hall, though the two events are unrelated.
Body Image and Aesthetic Criticism in the Spotlight
Beyond politics, critics also focused on the figure’s body type. Media outlets like Blaze Media highlighted negative reactions about health, with one X user commenting, “A significantly out of whack Body Mass Index (BMI) often foreshadows a variety of illnesses.” Others dismissed the statue as “ugly” or “tasteless,” with snarky comparisons to a “Karen caught mid-meltdown.”
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Supporters counter that the statue pushes back against rigid beauty standards, offering a more inclusive and realistic representation of everyday Black women. Price himself stated the figure was fictional, inspired by his observations of diverse communities in New York, Los Angeles, and London.
Addressing the Letitia James Misinformation
A wave of online confusion mistakenly identified the statue as depicting New York Attorney General Letitia James, fueled by her political battles with Donald Trump. X posts joked, “It should be a bit wider if it’s supposed to be Letitia James,” and “The statue is prettier & thinner than Letitia James.” Price and art organizers have confirmed these claims are baseless, emphasizing the sculpture’s fictional nature.
This misidentification reflects heightened political tensions rather than artistic intent, showing how public art can be swept into culture wars even without factual ties.
Status and Future of the Controversial Statue
The installation, part of Times Square Arts’ temporary program, was installed on April 29, 2025, and is scheduled to remain until June 17, 2025. Despite public backlash, there are no reports of early removal. Some X users expressed relief that the statue is temporary, while others noted ongoing “outrage & pushback” but no organized removal efforts.
The heated debate underscores broader cultural tensions over public art, diversity, and representation. Whether seen as progressive or divisive, “Grounded in the Stars” has sparked exactly the kind of dialogue Price envisioned — forcing passersby and online audiences alike to confront assumptions about beauty, race, and power in the public square.
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