Lilith Czar wearing the Spellcaster Kimono & Le Fay Necklace
PHOTOS BY: Joshua Shultz
Welcome back to Artist Spotlight, our series where we introduce you to fresh and exciting artists you need to hear now! Since formally launching in 2021, Lilith Czar, the musical and artistic alter ego of singer-songwriter Juliet Simms has rewritten the book on being as open and authentic with art as possible. With an ethos rooted in empowerment, Lilith Czar has steadily released a series of infectious alt-rock anthems that have continued to inspire her rapidly growing fanbase and reclaim her own power in the process. With the release of her cathartic late 2025 single “Edge Of Madness” and recent collaborative single “Cut” with Black Veil Brides, with whom she is married to the band’s frontman Andy Biersack — as well as acting in her soon to be released horror short film Boogeyman, Lilith Czar is gearing up for what will be yet another massive year of reinvention and creative liberation.
In an exclusive interview with Haus Of Cult/The Pretty Cult, Lilith Czar opens up about artist reinvention, mental health, new music, collaborating with Black Veil Brides, horror films, fashion and so much more!
Additionally, we hooked Lilith Czar up with a series of select TPC items and she provided a stunning set of photos and a style guide which can be viewed below.
2026 officially marks five years since your reinvention as Lilith Czar. When you look back at that decision now, what do you find yourself reflecting on the most, and as you step into this next chapter, how do you want to keep expanding that world both musically and thematically?
Lilith Czar: I think the thing I reflect on the most is having the opportunity to show people that you can change. That you can grow, learn, and become a better version of yourself if you’re willing to confront your demons and take responsibility for your life. That was always the heart of Lilith for me. It wasn’t just a reinvention, it was a reclamation. I wanted to create something that could inspire people in my orbit to become more powerful, more self-aware, more compassionate, and more resilient.
My twenties were... dark. I lost my sense of self completely. I ended up in rehab, deeply depressed, at rock bottom. And behind the scenes, there was a lot people didn’t see. Break-ins, having to move constantly because people found out where we lived, death threats, relentless online abuse, betrayal, harassment, deception, and lies that people still believe to this day. There’s nothing more destabilizing than being told you are something you’re not, over and over again.
At some point, I realized I had a choice. I could stay stuck in that, or I could take my power back. And for me, that meant asking myself a hard question: how did I participate in getting here? Not because it was necessarily my fault, but because that’s how you get out of being affected by something. The moment you take responsibility for your part, you’re back in the driver’s seat. That shift changed everything for me. That’s the biggest reflection I carry with me. Pulling myself out of that darkness and turning it into something that could hopefully help someone else do the same.
Moving into this next chapter, I want to keep expanding that world in a way that feels completely free. Musically, I’m making whatever the hell I want, but with intention. Each release is its own universe. Like what I did with Popsicle and Edge of Madness, every song has its own identity, its own visual language, its own story. And beyond the music, I want to continue making a real, positive impact, whether that’s through what I create or the philanthropic work I’m building toward. Lilith has always been about transformation, and that’s something I’m just going to keep pushing further and further.
Lilith Czar wearing the Solstice Spell Sweater & Woe Blade Necklace
You dropped “Edge of Madness” late last year and really opened up about some heavy moments, from setbacks to ultimately finding your independence again. How cathartic was it to be that honest, and where are you at mentally and creatively now? For anyone listening who might be struggling, what do you hope they take from your journey?
Lilith Czar: Letting your walls down is one of the most liberating things you can do. Just being honest, fully. It almost feels like anything that gets thrown at you just passes straight through, because there’s nothing left to hide or protect in that way. For a long time, I felt like I was silencing myself. There were things I wanted to say, things I needed to say, but it never felt safe to. So creating a space where I can be exactly who I am and speak openly... that’s been the most fulfilling part of my career. And that’s not something I ever plan on letting go of.
Mentally, where I’m at now is honestly just wanting to create on my own terms. In my own time, in my own space, and actually enjoy it. For years as a signed artist, everything felt rushed, high pressure, intense. I was stifled left and right and felt like I was in a perpetual war just to fight to be myself. After years of this, it can drain the life out of you and everything can start to mentally feel very heavy. It stopped being fun. I have no intention of ever going back to that haha.
For anyone listening who might be struggling, the biggest thing I’d say is this: your mind is powerful, but it can also turn on you if you’re not careful. There are thoughts that will try to convince you you’re not enough, or that you don’t belong here. That’s not you. Don’t fall into that trap. Take care of yourself, every day. Your mind, your body, your environment. Be kind to yourself, and to other people. On a basic level, that means the simple things actually matter. Being healthy, staying active, getting sunlight, staying away from things that pull you further down.
And on a deeper level, whatever you believe spiritually, just try to live in alignment with something good. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Do good where you can. Respect others. Realize that you do have power, and you get to choose how you use it. That’s really what I hope people take from my journey. You can go through darkness and still come out of it with your sense of self intact... and even stronger for it.
Lilith Czar wearing the Joan Of Arc Tee & Le Fay Necklace
Your new collaborative single with Black Veil Brides “Cut” just dropped. What can you share about the meaning behind the track and how it came together in the studio? And working alongside Black Veil Brides, what did that collaboration bring out in the song? What do you hope people take away from the song when they hear it for the first time?
Lilith Czar: It’s kind of a funny full-circle moment. Andy [Biersack] and I have lived really parallel lives in this industry. We’ve both been underdogs for as long as we can remember. We’ve both dealt with ridicule, not being believed in, injustices on the business side, betrayal from people who were supposed to have our backs, online attacks... all of it.
“Cut” really lives in that space. Even though I didn’t write the lyrics (Andy did), it’s something I connect to very deeply. It feels personal. And I think one of the reasons they wanted me on the song is because, narratively, it just made sense. There’s a shared understanding there. The kind of repeated adversity that leaves you with two choices. You either harden, or you evolve.
The idea of “Cut” in the song is interesting because it’s both survival and loss at the same time. You’re saving yourself, but you’re also carrying the wounds of everything that led you there. And what you do with those wounds, whether you fill them with love or with hate, that’s the real turning point. From a creative standpoint, they put everything into this track. I mean everything. They worked on it longer than any other song on the record. Choirs, strings, soaring guitars, huge vocal stacks... it’s massive. It feels cinematic and emotional in a way that really pulls you in. I genuinely think it’s one of the best songs they’ve ever made.
The collaboration itself felt very natural. There’s a real sense of unity there. I’ve been around them since the beginning, so there’s a mutual understanding of what we’ve all gone through, both individually and alongside each other. That history is in the song whether people realize it or not. At the core of it, to me, it’s about choosing something better in the face of everything that tries to break you. Choosing love over bitterness, even when that’s the harder path.
The music video for “Cut” feels incredibly fated. Getting to wear my wedding dress again, exactly ten years after our wedding, just days after our anniversary, feels very full circle. The concept of the video is deeply symbolic of what Andy and I have been for each other over the years. What we’ve endured, what we’ve protected, and what we’ve helped each other survive. It’s not just about love in the traditional sense, it’s about choosing each other through everything, and what that kind of bond really looks like when it’s been tested.
And as far as what I hope people take away... honestly, whatever they need. Music is subjective. It either connects or it doesn’t. But if I could be greedy about it, I’d want it to hit people in a way that either heals something or wakes something up in them. And yeah... I want them to be blown away. Obviously.
Lilith Czar wearing the Spellcaster Kimono & Le Fay Necklace
You recently said you got to live out your dream by stepping into film with your upcoming horror short Boogeyman. What was it like working in a completely different medium, as well as acting alongside your husband Andy Biersack? What can people expect from the film, and does this open the door to more acting, especially in horror?
Lilith Czar: It was absolutely exhilarating. I mean... how often does someone come to you and say, ‘Hey, I wrote a horror short and I want you to star in it?’ I truly had the time of my life. And getting to do it alongside my husband, who’s also my best friend, made it even better. We’re so comfortable with each other that it just made the whole experience feel easy and really fun.
This was actually our second time acting together. The first was Paradise City, which was a completely different vibe. But with Boogeyman, everything felt a little more unhinged in the best way. One of my favorite parts was the location. The house we shot in was over 150 years old and, apparently, actively haunted. Which I loved.
As far as what people can expect... a lot of screaming, a lot of crying, and me being absolutely terrified. There’s definitely a monster involved, so I’ll leave it at that. I really hope this opens the door to doing more acting, especially in horror. It’s always been my favorite genre, so getting to step into that world in this way felt really natural. I’d love to keep exploring it.
Lilith Czar wearing the Shadowspire Dress & Vol.I Blazer
Staying in that world for a second, what is your personal Mount Rushmore (top 4) of horror films? And if Lilith Czar could score any film, past or present, which one would you choose and why?
Lilith Czar: Picking a top four horror list is basically impossible, but I’ll try. As Above, So Below, Barbarian, Mandy, and The Cabin in the Woods. Honorable mentions would be Tusk, Housebound, Longlegs, and From Dusk Till Dawn. And if Lilith Czar could score any film... I’d have to say Labyrinth. Because that would mean I got to work with David Bowie, and that’s kind of the dream.
Lilith Czar wearing the Solstice Spell Sweater & Woe Blade Necklace
There has always been a strong visual identity tied to your music, and that really comes through in your style. Who or what are your biggest fashion influences, and how do you approach building looks for your live shows?
Lilith Czar: A lot of my fashion influence comes from blending feminine and masculine energy. I love combining goddess-like, old-world beauty with elements of armor or tailoring, something structured or protective, but still deeply feminine at the same time. For Edge of Madness, my suit was definitely inspired by Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, but I wanted to reinterpret it through a feminine lens. So we elevated it with a silk tuxedo blouse and a more cinched, tailored blazer to give it shape and elegance while still holding onto that chaos.
With “Popsicle,” I got to explore something more luxe and theatrical. There were strong Victorian influences, but I also mixed in a bit of that darker, edgier energy. Flowing, romantic dresses paired with armor elements, knee-high boots, heavier jewelry. I’m always drawn to that contrast. I love pairing opposites, softness and strength, beauty and danger. A lot of my inspiration comes from '90s high fashion campaigns, as well as historical fashion, even going as far back as the 16th century. And then musically and culturally, I’m always inspired by icons like Robert Plant, David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, and Freddie Mercury.
Visually, I pull a lot from classical art too. Painters like Caravaggio, Gustave Doré, Rembrandt, Sandro Botticelli... There's something about that dramatic lighting and emotion that really translates into how I see styling and imagery.For live shows, I like to stay dramatic but still feel comfortable and free. Honestly, I love performing in dresses. They’re great for movement, for that kind of strut and swoosh energy. I love a statement look that feels powerful, and for me that’s often a dress paired with witchy boots or combat boots.
One of my favorites was this all-red look: red dress, red tights, red knee-high boots. It just felt strong. But it also depends on how I feel that day. I’ve often gone on stage in baggy jeans and a leather bra top before. It’s very instinctual.
When I’m prepping for a tour, I usually spend a few days putting looks together and photographing each one. That way I can scroll through and decide what I’m wearing depending on the mood of the day. I try to stay in my own lane stylistically, something that feels like me, but also timeless.
Lilith Czar wearing the Dark Solstice Dress
As we are a media outlet and clothing brand owned and operated by a practicing witch, are there any rituals or spiritual practices that are important to you?
Lilith Czar: That’s so cool! I love that! Spirituality is something that’s really important to me, but also very personal. I’ve found that, for me, the most effective way to feel grounded, happy, and at peace is by taking care of both my mind and my body. They’re completely connected and constantly influencing each other. I’ve always felt that I’m a soul having a human experience, not just a body moving through life. And when you start to understand that relationship, it opens up a lot.
You begin to see how much power you actually have in shaping your state of being. Even in simple ways. If you’re not sleeping well or you’re not taking care of your body, it’s going to affect your mood, your thoughts, your energy. And the same goes the other way around. When you’re learning, creating, doing things you’re proud of, treating people well, you’re reinforcing something positive within yourself. All of this has led me to a place that feels a lot more balanced and calm. And I think "magic," in a sense, comes from that. From being aligned, intentional, and aware of the energy you’re putting out into the world.
Lilith Czar wearing the Shadowspire Dress & Vol.I Blazer
Looking ahead through the rest of 2026, what should people be paying attention to? Anything you want to put on fans’ radar to be excited about?
Lilith Czar: Looking ahead through the rest of 2026, there’s more music coming. I’m hoping to release something this summer, and then another track in the fall. To be honest, the last couple of years have also been about navigating a physical challenge I’ve been dealing with since my last tour. It’s something I’ve been actively working through, and I’m getting there. I’ve also been extremely invested in my company Never Take It Off, among other business ventures, so right now, my focus is balancing all of that while continuing to create as much as I can.
And I just really want to say thank you to everyone for the patience and support. It means more than people probably realize, and I’m excited for what’s coming next.
Lilith Czar wearing the Spellcaster Kimono & Le Fay Necklace
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