Podcast Summary: Corey Feldman on "The Magnificent Others" with Billy Corgan

Podcast Information

• Title: The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
• Host: Billy Corgan
• Guest: Corey Feldman
• Episode Title: Corey Feldman | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
• Release Date: March 26, 2025

Introduction

Billy Corgan welcomes Corey Feldman, one of Hollywood's most successful child actors, known for both his early fame and subsequent controversies. The conversation sets out to explore Corey’s multifaceted journey through fame, personal struggles, and artistic endeavors.

Notable Quote:

• Corey Feldman [00:28]: "Corey Feldman is one of the most successful child actors in the history of Hollywood. But beyond that, he's courted controversy, positive and negative, and certainly drawn plenty of attention to himself."

Early Career and Hollywood Experience

Corey Feldman reminisces about his early days in Hollywood, sharing experiences from sets and interactions with legends like Marilyn Manson and Sherman Hemsley. He discusses the challenges of being recognized as a child star and the confusion that often arises with his identity, especially when fans mistake him for other actors.

Notable Quotes:

• Corey Feldman [05:07]: "I was just on everything, right? So people just go, oh, you're that kid."
• Corey Feldman [06:33]: "I was supposed to be the kid from The Shining. I started signing autographs as Danny Lloyd because people didn't know who I was."

Struggles with Addiction and Sobriety

Corey delves into his battle with addiction, emphasizing his commitment to sobriety since 1989. He explains how honesty became a central tenet of his recovery, allowing him to maintain integrity in his personal and professional life.

Notable Quotes:

• Corey Feldman [07:39]: "Honesty is never really a wellco trait in most circles."
• Corey Feldman [08:51]: "If I don't, then, you know, what is any of it worth. We're only as good as our word."

Music Career and Artistic Authenticity

Transitioning from acting, Corey discusses his passion for music. He shares his experiences forming the band Truth Movement to escape the stigma attached to his acting career and to establish himself as a serious musician. Corey highlights the challenges he faced in the music industry, including mockery and lack of recognition, but also celebrates his successes and the support from dedicated fans.

Notable Quotes:

• Corey Feldman [12:03]: "As long as it's art, I'll be okay with it."
• Corey Feldman [17:01]: "My crime was being a child of Hollywood."

Media Manipulation and Reality TV

Corey criticizes the manipulation within media and reality TV, recounting his negative experiences with shows like Surreal Life. He explains how reality TV distorted his public image, turning genuine performances into mockery, which fueled further public misunderstanding and stigma.

Notable Quotes:

• Corey Feldman [24:17]: "It was very mean-spirited."
• Corey Feldman [26:13]: "You can get tickets to my recent show... they're trying to desecrate my career."

Personal Philosophy and Resilience

Corey shares his life philosophy centered around authenticity, resilience, and spreading positive energy through his art. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself despite external pressures and negative perceptions.

Notable Quotes:

• Corey Feldman [40:27]: "It's spreading the love. That's it."
• Corey Feldman [46:17]: "If I do, I'll probably change it tomorrow. Just because we continue, hopefully to keep growing and learning."

Relationship with Family and Legacy

Discussing his personal life, Corey speaks about his son, Zen, and his desire to provide a different upbringing free from the pitfalls he experienced. He reflects on his strained relationship with his own parents and the importance of the friendships he formed within the industry.

Notable Quotes:

• Corey Feldman [55:22]: "The biggest accomplishment out of all of them is my beautiful son."
• Corey Feldman [56:58]: "I've never known what it's like to have a mom or dad bail you out."

Advocacy Against Hollywood’s Dark Side

Corey passionately advocates for acknowledging and addressing the systemic issues within Hollywood, particularly those involving the exploitation and abuse of child actors. He shares his own traumatic experiences and urges for greater transparency and support for victims.

Notable Quotes:

• Corey Feldman [19:37]: "Hollywood should be ashamed of it."
• Corey Feldman [21:24]: "I'm not doing it for real. And that's what matters now is what matters now."

Future Endeavors and Final Thoughts

Looking ahead, Corey expresses his commitment to creating meaningful art and inspiring others through his music and films. He underscores the importance of authenticity and the impact of genuine connections with his audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Corey Feldman [74:27]: "I am going to give you all I have."
• Corey Feldman [72:15]: "I'm still here, right? And I plan to still keep doing what I do until God chooses to remove me from the scene."

Conclusion

In this candid and heartfelt episode, Corey Feldman opens up about his tumultuous journey from child stardom to a dedicated artist striving for authenticity amidst adversity. Billy Corgan facilitates a deep and engaging conversation that not only sheds light on Corey’s personal struggles and triumphs but also highlights the broader issues within the entertainment industry. Corey’s unwavering commitment to honesty, resilience, and spreading positive energy serves as an inspiring testament to overcoming obstacles and staying true to oneself.

Final Notable Quote:

• Corey Feldman [73:55]: "If I can accomplish that in some small way, saving people from pain, making the journey a little bit easier and realizing that, look, what we do is not rocket science."

Associated Products and Promotions

Towards the end of the podcast, Corey promotes his latest tour and box set, emphasizing the authenticity of his work and inviting listeners to engage with his art directly.

Promotion Details:

• Tour Name: Low Serville
• Website: coreyfelman.net (Note: The website is currently experiencing issues due to domain squatters.)
• Box Set Includes: Four CDs, two DVDs, a documentary, a 50-page color magazine, Wayfarer-style sunglasses, musical pics, and backstage passes.

Notable Quote:

• Corey Feldman [75:25]: "It's all authentic. It's all real. What you see is what you get."

Reflection

This episode of "The Magnificent Others" provides a comprehensive look into Corey Feldman's life, unraveling the complexities of fame, addiction, and the pursuit of artistic integrity. Through his honest and open dialogue with Billy Corgan, Corey not only shares his personal narrative but also advocates for systemic change within Hollywood, making this episode a profound and enlightening listen for audiences unfamiliar with his story.