Voices from the Edge: The Radical Truths of Hank Van Vice — On the Cult of Celebrity & Fame as a Modern-Day Prison
Interviewer: Maya "Muse" Carter, Culture Clash Magazine
Maya: Hank, you’re someone who’s seen both sides of fame—rising from the underground scene to becoming a global icon. What’s your take on the cult of celebrity that seems to dominate our culture today?
Hank Van Vice: [Laughing, with a hint of bitterness] The cult of celebrity, man—it’s the biggest con they’ve ever pulled. They lure you in with promises of freedom, of power, but the truth is, it’s just another kind of prison. You get trapped in this image they create for you, this persona you’re supposed to live up to, and before you know it, you’re not even living your own life anymore. You’re just a puppet on their stage.
Maya: Do you feel like that’s something you’ve had to fight against personally?
Hank Van Vice: Every damn day. They want to turn you into a product, something they can sell, package, and market. But that’s not what I’m about, and that’s not what Queen Elizabeth’s Abortions is about. We’re not here to play the game—they know that, and it scares the hell out of them. But the more you resist, the more they try to tighten the noose, y’know? Fame becomes this double-edged sword—on one side, you’ve got the platform to speak your truth, but on the other, you’re constantly battling to keep that truth from being distorted.
Maya: How do you think celebrity culture affects society as a whole?
Hank Van Vice: It’s a distraction, man. They use celebrities to keep people hooked on superficial crap, to keep them from thinking about what really matters. It’s all about making you aspire to this unattainable lifestyle, so you’re too busy chasing dreams that aren’t even yours to realize you’re being controlled. And the media plays right into it, feeding the beast, keeping the focus on who’s dating who, what someone wore to the latest award show, instead of the stuff that really matters—like what’s happening to our freedoms, our planet, our souls.
Maya: What advice would you give to other artists who are on the rise, facing these pressures?
Hank Van Vice: Stay true to yourself, no matter what. Don’t let them turn you into something you’re not. They’ll try to mold you, to shape you into what they think will sell, but that’s a one-way ticket to losing your soul. Keep your integrity, keep your message pure, and don’t be afraid to push back when they try to put you in a box. Remember, fame isn’t freedom—it’s just another trap, unless you take control of it.
Maya: Do you think there’s any hope for changing the way society views fame?
Hank Van Vice: I hope so, but it’s gonna take a lot of people waking up and realizing they’ve been fed a lie. Maybe we’re starting to see a shift, with people getting tired of the fake, the manufactured, and craving something real. That’s the future I’m fighting for—a world where we value substance over status, creativity over celebrity. It’s a long road, but we’re not backing down.
