After Viral Statue Fail, Dwyane Wade Gets Two New Murals in Wynwood

Miami is getting a chance at redemption.

January 16, 2025

Image: unveiling of the dwyane wade statue

"Who is that guy?" Photo by Zulekha Pitts

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The last time Miami paid tribute to Dwyane Wade using his likeness, the results went viral for all the wrong reasons.

Back in late October, fans flocked to the Kaseya Center on a Sunday to witness the unveiling of a bronze statue honoring the NBA Hall of Famer. Once the case around the statue fell away for the big reveal, Wade spoke for everyone gathered at the ceremony, uttering his now-infamous first reaction: "Who is that guy?"

It seemed like a matter of mere minutes before chatter about the blunder ramped up online. By the next day, the statue had been memed to death and drawn comparisons to Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson, Kelsey Grammer, Laurence Fishburne, and a Darkseeker from I Am Legend. The statue was even named one of New Times' infamous Dirty Dozen in 2024.

Wade kept it cool when asked about the Internet's reaction: "Send some memes. We don't care," he said in a press conference the day after the unveiling.

Now, Miami is getting a chance at redemption with the unveiling of not one but two new murals honoring D-Wade in celebration of his birthday. The basketball legend turns 42 on Friday, January 17.

Artist Kyle Holbrook, in partnership with Louis Wolfson III of Pinnacle, a Miami-based real estate development and construction company, has painted one mural depicting a realistic portrait of Wade, which will gaze out over Wynwood, Midtown, and downtown Miami.

The second mural, at the intersection of NW 36th St. and NW 5th Ave., is described as a "satirical depiction" of Wade's widely lampooned statue. The mural even features a thought bubble reading, "Who is that guy?"

If you're curious to see how the unveiling goes this time, the murals will be revealed at a public ceremony on Friday, January 17 at 11 a.m. No word yet on whether Wade will be there to share his first reaction.

Dwyane Wade Mural Reveal. 11 a.m. Friday, January 17, at 3500 NW Fifth Ave., Miami. mlkmural.com. Admission is free.

Before rejoining Miami New Times as culture editor in 2025, Celia Almeida freelanced for the paper starting in 2016, then came aboard as a staff editor in 2018. Beginning in late 2019, she served as digital editor for Ink. Her writing has been featured in Billboard, Consequence, Paper, and Rolling Stone, among other outlets.

A message from Celia Almeida: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Miami's vibrant culture and arts scenes.

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