Alice Cooper has been fired from a cosmetics company a day after he spoke out against gender-biased childcare.
The rock star, known for his signature black eyeliner, claimed transgender surgery was a “fad” and felt it was “wrong” for children to be confused.
He was fired from Vampyre Cosmetics on Thursday after making his comments just two weeks after signing a partnership agreement with the company.
The brand, which markets goth-style makeup, lipsticks and palettes, signed a deal with him to sell a collection of Cooper-style mascara, guitar- and amp-shaped makeup palettes, and microphone-style lipsticks.
Vampyre Cosmetics released a statement saying it will no longer be working with Cooper “in light of recent statements” and that it stands with the LGBTQ community.
Alice Cooper has been fired from a cosmetics company a day after he spoke out against gender-biased childcare
Vampyre Cosmetics, which sells goth-style makeup, lipsticks and palettes, signed a deal with him to sell a collection of Cooper-style mascara, guitar- and amp-shaped makeup palettes, and microphone-style lipsticks
The brand released a statement saying it would no longer be working with Cooper “in light of recent statements” and that it stands with the LGBTQ community
Cooper, best known for the hits “School’s Out” and “Godfather of Shock Rock,” shared his views in an interview with music website Stereogum on Wednesday.
“I understand that there are cases of transgender people, but I’m afraid it’s also a fad,” he said.
“I’m afraid there are a lot of people who claim to be this just because they want to be.”
The musician, whose real name is Vincent Damon Furnier, said he disagrees with the care of transgender children.
“I think it’s wrong when you have a 6-year-old kid who has no idea,” he added.
“He just wants to play, and you confuse him by saying, ‘Yes, you’re a boy, but you could be a girl if you want.’
Cooper, 75, claimed it was “confusing” for children and young people and described the problem as “absurd”.
The rock star, known for his signature black eyeliner, claimed transgender surgery was a “fad” and felt it was “wrong” for children to be confused
Cooper, whose real name is Vincent Damon Furnier, said he disagrees with the care of transgender children
He said, “You’re still trying to find your identity, and yet here it goes: ‘Yes, but you can be anything you want.’ You can be a cat if you want.
“I mean, if you identify yourself as a tree… And I’m like, ‘Come on!’ “What are we in, in a Kurt Vonnegut novel?”
“It’s so absurd that it’s now reached the point of absurdity.”
Cooper also took aim at “the whole waking thing,” asking, “Who makes the rules?”
“Is there a building somewhere in New York where people sit down every day and say, ‘Okay, we can’t say ‘mother’ now?” We have to say birthing person. Will you get that straight on the wire?’
“Who is this person making these rules? I do not get it. I’m not old-fashioned. I’m being logical.’
His comments weren’t well received by Vampyre Cosmetics, which the next day stopped working with the musician and issued a refund to those who pre-ordered products.
“In light of Alice Cooper’s recent statements, we will no longer be doing a makeup collaboration,” it said on Instagram.
Vampyr Cosmetics has 130 stores located primarily in New Orleans. The brand describes itself as “proudly owned by women, owned by the disabled and owned by LGBT+”.
“We stand with all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and believe that everyone should have access to healthcare.” All pre-order sales will be refunded.’
It’s not clear how much the partnership between Cooper and the company was worth.
Vampyr Cosmetics has 130 stores located primarily in New Orleans. The brand describes itself as “proudly owned by women, owned by the disabled and owned by LGBT+”.
Karen Holton, the company’s executive owner, said, “We’re queer, disabled, and proudly neurodiverse women working around the clock to bring you cosmetics so uniquely packaged… They shout ‘holy crap!'” when you see it .’
has reached out to representatives from Vampyre Cosmetics and Cooper for comment.