Alice Cooper, a rock legend with a career spanning over 50 years, recently became the target of corporate cancel culture. Vampyre Cosmetics, a gothic makeup brand, abruptly ended its collaboration with Cooper after he shared his views on transgenderism during an interview with Stereogum.
Cooper questioned the current trend, stating, “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 also expressed concerns about the confusion that might arise in young kids who are told they can choose their gender.
Alice upset the Vampyres. No more Mr Nice Guy!https://t.co/Nx0QKWD3ea
— Harry Grant (@GrantHarryF) September 2, 2023
Vampyre Cosmetics wasted no time in severing ties. The company declared, “In light of recent statements by Alice Cooper, we will no longer be doing a makeup collaboration. We stand with all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and believe everyone should have access to healthcare.”
This cancellation leaves us wondering: Did Alice Cooper say anything deserving of such a quick ouster from a business deal? The answer is no. His comments about the contemporary craze in transgenderism mirror what many Americans believe.
A recent Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll revealed that nearly seven in 10 adults oppose using puberty blockers for children aged 10 to 14. Another poll found that 75 percent of Americans believe the transgender movement has “gone too far.” Cooper’s viewpoint is far from fringe; it reflects mainstream concerns.
In this era of so-called wokeness, companies like Vampyre Cosmetics seem more concerned with catering to a specific political crowd than with rational discourse. At a time when Cooper’s net worth stands at a staggering $50 million, Vampyre Cosmetics needed this partnership more than Cooper needed them. This impulsive decision to cancel a profitable collaboration over comments that reflect the sentiments of many Americans seems misguided.
Cooper’s comments also drew attention to the logical inconsistencies in the current public discourse around transgenderism. While some medical conditions demand patient-driven treatment, gender dysphoria shouldn’t be one of them, especially when children are involved. As Cooper stated, “You’re still trying to find your identity, and yet here’s this thing going on, saying, ‘Yeah, but you can be anything you want.'”
Vampyre Cosmetics’ reaction is symptomatic of a larger issue: the willingness of corporations to cave to political pressure and ignore a sizable portion of their potential market. This strategy could backfire, particularly for companies looking to expand.
