Clown Cult Craze: Can This Bizarre Movement Make Clowns Sexy?

In a recent installment of VICE’s Gatherings series, which delves into unique subcultures, host Jackson Garrett investigates the burgeoning trend of online clown culture. This contemporary wave of clowns, known as Clown Cult, aims to shift the traditional view of clowns from spooky and unsettling to alluring and inclusive.

“It originally started as an all-clown immersive variety show,” explained Charlotte/Chuckie, the founder of Clown Cult, producer, and a clown herself, during her interview with VICE. “Now, it has evolved into an incredible community comprising clowns, artists, drag and burlesque performers, and other nightlife entertainers.”

According to her, the events also attract non-performers who just want to embrace being quirky and eccentric.

“My goal is to infuse clowning with playfulness, fun, and certainly a dose of sexiness,” Charlotte/Chuckie remarked. “The absurdity of it all provides people with the perfect opportunity to shed any self-consciousness about over-trying or appearing foolish.”

Indeed, this scene isn’t harming anyone—unless, of course, you have a phobia of clowns and the thought of many of them congregating and coexisting triggers panic.

Some even suggest that Clown Cult might be an antidote to today’s widespread feeling of isolation. As many people seek a welcoming community, Clown Cult could be offering just that.

“Spending a whole night surrounded by clowns might sound like a nightmare to some,” Garrett mentioned. “But I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. There’s a liberating aspect to donning the makeup. Clowns might epitomize ultimate cringe, but embracing that cringe allows you to be as ridiculous as you wish.”

Garrett summed it up perfectly: “We could all benefit from a bit more clown in our lives.”

Check out the full documentary below.