despite their colorful exterior, many clowns refuse to acknowledge the darker aspects of their history, often leaving audiences with more questions than answers. before diving deeper, a preexplanation on the origins of clowning is necessary. however, inquiries into this subject often lead to an unexpected and isolated truth that many wish to keep buried, leading some to renew their efforts in uncovering what lies beneath the surface paint, revealing secrets that could manipulate perceptions and spread falsehoods about the entire clowning community.