Honestly, if you were watching TV in 2014, you probably remember the collective internet meltdown when Stevie Nicks finally stepped through the doors of Miss Robichaux’s Academy. It wasn't just a cameo. It was a cultural collision. For years, rumors had followed the Fleetwood Mac frontwoman like a shadow, whispering that she was a "real" witch. Then, Ryan Murphy comes along and basically says, "Why not just make it official?"
So, she did.
She showed up in New Orleans to play a version of herself—a "White Witch"—who just happened to be an old friend of Fiona Goode. It was weird. It was campy. And for the fans who had spent decades dissecting the lyrics to "Rhiannon," it was the ultimate validation.
Why Stevie Nicks on Coven Changed Everything
Most people think Stevie jumped at the chance to be on American Horror Story. Not exactly. She was actually pretty hesitant at first. Back in the '80s, the witch rumors weren't a fun aesthetic; they were scary. She was getting creepy mail. She started wearing more black just to look thinner (her words!), but people took it as proof of dark rituals.
She had to be convinced.
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Ryan Murphy didn't just want her for a five-second walk-on. He built an entire character, Misty Day, around her. Misty was this swamp-dwelling necromancer who basically treated Stevie’s music like a holy scripture. When Stevie realized she was being framed as a "muse" and a source of hope for a lonely character, she finally caved. She told Entertainment Weekly she initially expected to just walk through a shot in high heels and say, "Hello, witches! Goodbye, witches!"
Instead, she got a piano.
The Songs That Defined the Magic
In episode 10, "The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks," she didn't just stand there. She performed. And she did it live on set, which is kind of rare for these types of guest spots.
- "Rhiannon": This was the big one. Seeing Stevie sit at the piano in the Coven living room while Misty Day (Lily Rabe) sat on the floor, mesmerized, was peak television. It wasn't a studio recording; it was a raw, stripped-back version that felt like a private concert.
- "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You": This song was a deeper cut from her solo album Rock a Little. Stevie performed this one for Fiona (Jessica Lange). It’s an incredibly emotional track she originally wrote for Joe Walsh about a child he lost. In the context of the show, it felt like a mourning song for Fiona’s fading power.
- "Seven Wonders": She actually returned for the season finale to lead a music-video-style opening for the "Seven Wonders" trials. It was pure fan service, and honestly, we loved it.
Lily Rabe, who plays Misty, is a massive fan in real life. Stevie later joked that Lily "fainted about 700 times" during filming. It wasn't just acting. Those tears you see on screen? Those were real.
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The "White Witch" Identity: Fact vs. Fiction
Let's clear the air: Stevie Nicks is not an actual practitioner of Wicca or any form of witchcraft. She has said this a million times. She likes the clothes. She likes the moons and the stars. She likes the vibe.
In Coven, she plays into the mythology, but it was a calculated move to reclaim the narrative. By appearing on the show, she turned a rumor that used to terrify her into a badge of honor. It’s a classic power move.
But the show did lean heavily into the "Rhiannon" lore. Stevie first read about the character in a novel called Triad by Mary Leader. She didn't realize at the time that Rhiannon was a Welsh goddess from the Mabinogion. The show blurred those lines beautifully, making Stevie a sort of spiritual mentor to the girls.
Beyond the Cameo: The Legacy
Stevie didn’t stop at season 3. She came back for AHS: Apocalypse years later to reprise the role, proving that the White Witch is a permanent fixture in the Murphy-verse.
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The impact on her career was surprisingly huge. It introduced her to a whole new generation of fans who hadn't even been born when Rumours came out. Suddenly, "witchy" was a fashion trend on TikTok, and everyone wanted a top hat and a lace shawl.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re looking to capture that Coven energy in your own life, you don't need to move to a swamp. Start by listening to the live versions of "Rhiannon" from the 1970s—specifically the ones where she goes into a "trance" at the end. That’s the real magic.
Check out the Rock a Little album if you want to understand the emotional weight of "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You." It’s much darker and more vulnerable than the Fleetwood Mac hits. And if you’re ever in New Orleans, a visit to the Garden District—where they filmed the academy scenes—is a must for any self-respecting fan of the White Witch.
Actionable Insight: To get the full experience, watch the episode "The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks" and then immediately listen to the 1976 live recording of "Rhiannon" from The Midnight Special. The contrast between the elder stateswoman of rock and the young, wild performer shows exactly why she’s stayed relevant for fifty years.