Throughout history, the famous faces of culture have often been cloaked in mystery, with some accused of practicing witchcraft. These tales range from the curious to the absurd, compelling us to peek behind the curtain of celebrity mystique.
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks enchanted the world with her ethereal presence as the frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac. Her captivating performances and the haunting tale spun in the song “Rhiannon” evoked the image of a modern-day enchantress. These artistic choices, combined with her self-described “Spider Woman” alter ego, led some fans to speculate about her connection to the supernatural. According to Nicks, this persona allowed her to retreat into a shell of calm and mystery, inadvertently feeding the rumors of witchcraft that followed her throughout her career.
Despite her protestations, the allure of her stage antics and the otherworldly themes in her music continued to spark whispers of arcane knowledge. Nonetheless, Stevie Nicks’ engagement with the occult remains a part of her artistic expression rather than a literal truth.
“In Fleetwood Mac I have a persona, I call myself the Spider Woman,” she revealed the character during an interview with MTV. “I try to imagine myself putting on the spider mask. I become very subdued and quieter; I don’t move so fast; I’m in a state of suspended animation.”
Vampira (Maila Nurmi)
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Maila Nurmi, better known as Vampira, was a pioneering figure in the world of horror with her television show that ushered in the archetype of the gothic horror hostess. Dressed in her signature black gown and with a chilling persona, Vampira became synonymous with the macabre and sinister. Her intimate ties with Hollywood’s dark prince, James Dean, and involvement in Ed Wood’s cult classic “Plan 9 from Outer Space,” only intensified the eerie aura surrounding her.
These connections, steeped in tragedy and the unnerving, catalyzed the notion that Vampira may have practiced witchcraft. Yet, her role was one of entertainment, aiming to thrill and chill the audience rather than harboring any true occult ties. In response to the Los Angeles Times‘ query about her view on children, her reply was quintessentially reflective of her persona. “Oh yes … delicious,” was her comment.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton, who served as the first lady of the United States, became the center of an unusual controversy when renowned journalist Bob Woodward wrote about her imaginative dialogues with departed historical figures. This revelation sparked a flurry of assumptions that she was engaging with the occult. But the White House soon clarified the situation, explaining that these conversations were part of a creative exercise led by Dr. Jean Houston, a respected psychologist, and not an indication of occult involvement.
Though the practice may have seemed unorthodox to some, it fell squarely within the realm of personal growth techniques, far removed from the realm of witchcraft. Yet, the public fascination with Clinton’s private practices fueled an ongoing narrative that lingered despite the mundane explanation.
David Bowie
David Bowie is remembered not just for his revolutionary music but also for his exploration of larger-than-life personas and otherworldly themes. It is no surprise that during the 1970s, at the height of his fame and amidst personal struggles with addiction, Bowie flirted with the idea of the occult. As he battled his inner demons, the rock icon became preoccupied with the supernatural, to the extent of seeking help from alleged witches.
This chapter in Bowie’s life, though clouded by his substance abuse, has been documented and discussed at length, revealing a side of Bowie that was as complex and troubled as it was creative and trailblazing. His engagement with the occult, whether real or imagined, added another layer to the legacy of a man who lived his life on the edge between reality and myth.
“He asked me to get him a white witch to take this curse off of him,” Vanilla revealed with Far Out Magazine. “He was serious, you know. And I actually knew somebody in New York who claimed she was a white witch. She was the only white witch I ever met. So I put him in touch with her. I don’t know what ever happened to her. And I don’t know if she removed the curse. I guess she did.”
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey, known for her sultry voice and melancholic music, encountered an unexpected backlash when an accusation of using dark forces emerged. During a concert in Mexico, some attendees fainted, which a social media influencer attributed to Del Rey casting spells on her audience. The singer, well-versed in religious scripture, refuted the claims with a sharp and clear message, turning the notion into a fleeting social media spectacle.
“B**** I know the Bible verse for verse better than you do,” she responded to Coston’s Instagram post that mentioned her (as reported by Stereogum). “PS you’re giving off super gremlin energy. Not in a good way.”
The assertion had no basis beyond the words of a single person and Del Rey’s confident response showcased her indifference to such groundless rumors. The incident serves as a testament to how quickly and easily speculations can arise in the age of social media, even against those whose only ‘spell’ is their captivating performance.
Fairuza Balk
Fairuza Balk’s convincing depiction of a witch in “The Craft” left a lasting impression, which only intensified when she later purchased an occult shop. This venture was a noble effort to preserve a piece of cultural history rather than a personal indulgence in the craft of magic. As Balk stepped in to save the shop from becoming a mundane eatery, she unwittingly cast a spell on her own public image, leading some to suspect her of harboring a secret penchant for witchcraft.
Balk revealed Entertainment Weekly in 2017.
“[The woman who owned it] wanted to retire. She couldn’t put the kind of money into it that it needed to keep it up and so it was going to be turned into a Chinese restaurant. I thought for the oldest occult shop in the country, that’s a tragedy.”
Apart from her curiosity sparked by the research for her role, Balk has never claimed any genuine involvement with witchcraft. Nevertheless, her association with the shop has continued to stir tales and keep the whispers about her supposed witchy ways alive, showing how a simple act of preservation can become twisted into a tale of intrigue.