Princess Gollum Goes Offline
As a child she knew she was different, and she took pride in that, defying negative comments about her looks with what she knew to be true in her spirit: “I didn’t understand why people would put so much value in the way you were born… Those are gifts,” she told office. “You can’t control the way you look––well, at least not when you’re that young, anyway.”
Her attitude hasn’t changed, but now that she alone holds the reins on her visage, the only thing consistent about her appearance is its constant state of transformation. A philosopher in latex and chains, Lee keeps it real with us, both on the inspiration behind her aesthetic's signature strangeness and what “beauty” actually means to her. And other pressing matters too, like whether or not Avril Lavigne was really replaced by a clone.
Read our interview with Princess Gollum below.
Catsuit by ASAI, dress by Perfect Number, earrings by Mounser, shoes by Mulberry.
What should we know about you?
That as of 2020, I am hot! Not cute!
I’m Paris Hilton.
How do you feel about the internet?
There are many days I love it. There are many days, like this past week, I don’t. Deciding that during a pandemic, it’s best to stay off the internet, but it’s nearly impossible, because it’s all that we have. If the world ends tonight, know that I love you with all my heart. See you in heaven (or hell). <3
How has our dual existence as a culture online and IRL affected what beauty means?
I think there’s always two extremes coexisting and pushing in opposite directions even harder now with this duality. Although the beauty standards have switched to a different look, they’ve assumed the role of a different standard––but it’s a standard nonetheless.
There’s another community who are pushing the boundaries in a way that’s a lot more open. There is no one face of beauty. The weirder you look, the better. But this gets contrived, too. My goal in all of this is to widen people’s perspectives into seeing beauty in everything. Even the mundane. Life is so much more fun that way.
Did you feel beautiful as a kid?
I grew up with a lot of love but I also grew up being told I was ugly.
It hurt my feelings, but I didn’t pay too much attention to it.
I felt beautiful, and I always felt special. No one ever thought like me.
You can’t control the way you look––well, at least not when you’re that young, anyway.
I didn’t understand why people would put so much value in the way you were born.
You didn’t do anything. Those are gifts.
Who you become as a person and what you make with what you’re given. That’s important.
Top, skirt and leggings by Maisie Wilen, trainers by ASICS, rings by Spinelli Kilcollin.
Was Avril Lavigne really replaced by a clone?
Is it a conspiracy theory if it’s true?
Not sure if it’s 100 percent valid, but she might as well have been. She said she’d never wear preppy clothes, and now that’s all she wears.
But I still love her, and she will always be my #1 Canadian pop-punk princess forever.
What tunes are you rly into right now?
Here! Let me give you my set list from one of the last parties I DJ’ed in LA, until further notice…
Dj Dado - "X-Files"
999999999 - "300000003"
999999999 - "Lost In Jails"
Grimes - "My Name is Dark"
Kelsey Lu - "I’m Not in Love"
Eartheater - "Inclined"
AlphaFox - "spazzonabeat"
Evanescence - "Bring Me Back to Life (ELMS BOOTLEG)"
Purity Ring - "Begin Again (Nightcore)"
ICE UNDERLORD - "DONT WASTE MY TIME"
100 gecs - "ringtone (feat. Charli XCX, Rico Nasty, Kero Kero Bonito)"
Grimes & i_o - "Violence (Club Mix)"
Nightcoregirl - "Take Me"
Dan2600 - "I See Right Through You (nightcore)"
Krewella - "Alive (Svengali Edit)"
CORDIFORM - "ALL NITE"
ICE UNDERLORD - "ALL THE THINGS YOU SAID (DREAM MIX)"
Night Lovell - "Lethal Presence"
Saweetie - "ICY GRL (AlphaFox remix)"
Tay Money - "Tay Money"
Rico Nasty - "Smack a Bitch"
ZillaKami x SosMula - "Shinners 13"
City Morgue x ZillaKami x SosMula - "66SLAVS"
Chief Keef - "3hunna (ryder ripps remix)"
Dana Dentata - "lil blood"
The Original Theme from Blade Blood Rave
What have you found inspiring this week?
Björk always + forever. And Amy Winehouse––I listen and sing and cry to her every day.
What are your predictions for this year?
SPITSNOT
Left: Sweater by Knorts.
Right: Top by GOETZE, pants by Ottolinger, shoes by Celine.
What should people know about beauty?
Less is more.
But more is everyone’s favorite amount!
What beauty trend would you like to see die?
Seems like everyone is doing really well with beauty trends right now.
The only thing I’d like to see less of is I guess culturally inappropriate ones––black fishing, Koreaboos. Just be yourself.
What’s your best advice re: taking care of oneself?
Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re your own worst enemy. If you mess up, take responsibility, apologize, make it right and move on.
Don’t make excuses but also don’t guilt yourself to the point it becomes mental abuse. Forgive yourself. Be kind to yourself. Do better next time. (This is something I need to remember.)
Lead image: Top by GOETZE, rings by Spinelli Kilcollin.
