In a development that puts him alongside other music legends like Carlos Santana and Dee Snider, who previously faced backlash for their views on transgenderism, rock legend Alice Cooper has lost a business deal with Gothic-themed cosmetics brand Vampyre Cosmetics.
Vampyre Cosmetics announced via an Instagram post on Friday that it had cut ties with the iconic musician after he expressed belief in biological reality, asserting that transgenderism is “a fad.”
“In light of recent statements by Alice Cooper, we will no longer be doing a makeup collaboration,” the company wrote, expressing its solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community and affirming the importance of healthcare access for everyone.
The brand also made the announcement on X, after which users noted that the account was deleted.
@VampyreCosmetics has deleted their account after canceling their makeup collaboration with Alice Cooper pic.twitter.com/3Bhqxy5AH5
— Chris Bertman (@manofbert) August 25, 2023
The makeup line, which had been launched earlier this month, was a collaborative effort between Vampyre and Cooper. The collaboration had promised a unisex makeup line celebrating Alice Cooper’s unique style. This collection included innovative products like guitar-shaped makeup palettes, microphone-inspired lipsticks, and a new version of the iconic Whiplash mascara.
However, the products associated with the collaboration have all been promptly removed from Vampyre’s website, with a promise that all sales made before the cancellation will be refunded.
According to Vampyre, this move is in line with its identity as a brand that values inclusivity and rejects the imposition of gender norms on its products. “We stand with all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and believe everyone should have access to healthcare,” the company stated in its Instagram post.
This backlash against Cooper comes after his recent interview with Stereogum in which he criticized the “woke” ideology and its impact on society.
Arguing against the current trend of transgenderism, he stated, “I’m understanding that there are cases of transgender, but I’m afraid that it’s also a fad, and I’m afraid there’s a lot of people claiming to be this just because they want to be that.”
He expressed concern over the confusion the notion of transgenderism might cause for children and cautioned against rushing into gender-affirming care for minors. In his words: “I find it wrong when you’ve got a six-year-old kid who has no idea. He just wants to play, and you’re confusing him telling him, ‘Yeah, you’re a boy, but you could be a girl if you want to be.’”
Additionally, he highlighted the potential risks posed to women by allowing biological males to use women’s restrooms.
Unafraid to speak his mind, Cooper reinforced the notion of biological reality as an undeniable truth. “If you have these genitals, you’re a boy. If you have those genitals, you’re a girl,” he asserted.
