VEGAS MYTHS RE-BUSTED: Guests Once Entered MGM Grand Through the Gold Lion's Mouth
The MGM Grand in Las Vegas has long been linked to a stubborn myth about its lion statue entrance. Many visitors once believed the original design forced guests to walk through a lion’s mouth—a superstition that unsettled some gamblers. Now, the truth behind the story has been uncovered as part of the Vegas Myths Busted series.
The original MGM Grand lion, named Leo after the iconic roaring lion from MGM films, stood outside the hotel in the 1990s. Its entrance was never designed to make visitors pass through its mouth—though the myth persisted for years. Instead, the lion’s open jaws were placed at least 30 feet above ground level, making it impossible to walk through.
Criticism of the statue went beyond superstition. Many found the original lion unattractive, and MGM Grand CEO Terry Lanni later admitted the design showed corporate insensitivity. Some Chinese gamblers avoided the entrance altogether, believing that passing through a lion’s mouth would bring bad luck. By 1998, the original statue had been removed. No records identify who oversaw its replacement, but the new lion—now known as *Grand Lion*—was sculpted by Snellen Maurice Johnson. This towering bronze figure stands 45 feet tall, weighs 50 tons, and rests on a 25-foot pedestal. It is currently the second-largest bronze statue in the world. The *Vegas Myths Busted* series continues to debunk local legends every Monday, with a bonus *Flashback Friday* edition. Readers can suggest myths for investigation by emailing [email protected].
The MGM Grand’s lion entrance myth has finally been put to rest. The current statue remains a striking landmark, free from the superstitions that once surrounded its predecessor. Meanwhile, the Vegas Myths Busted series keeps exploring the city’s most enduring tales.
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