Celeb Fandoms Have Gone Too Far

The wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce was bound to make headlines. Since the day Kelce proposed last August, rumors about their wedding have been swirling in gossip columns and social media comments sections. When they finally tied the knot, the secrecy surrounding the ceremony led to countless conspiracies and speculations, ranging from who was on the guest list to what kind of cake they served. The wedding was held at Madison Square Garden, a globally acclaimed location in the heart of New York City that placed the event in a strange position of being both extremely publicized and extremely private. In response, reports surfaced that fans were paying $25 for bags of trash left over from the event, labeled “collectibles.” As funny and bizarre as this incident may be, it leads us to a broader question about the relationships that fans have with celebrities. There is a huge difference between buying albums and putting up posters of your favorite artists and buying their bags of trash or bath water . There is a huge difference between buying albums and putting up posters of your favorite artists and buying their bags of trash or bath water. The relationships that exist between celebrities and their fans are often referred to as parasocial relationships. These are one-sided bonds that can be formed with people you don’t actually know, be it an influencer, a musician, an actor, or a politician. “It’s more than just being a fan,” says Dr. Adam Borland, a clinical psychologist. “[They] often include strong, one-sided feelings of identification and emotional connection… Social media provides constant exposure and access to public figures and celebrities, which can create an unrealistic sense of intimacy and perceived connection.” When we follow people online or regularly see them on TV, we begin to form an emotional attachment with them, even though it isn't reciprocated. Parasocial relationships have been around for ages. For hundreds of years, people formed parasocial relationships with authors or journalists, closely following their publications. Early Hollywood stars like Cary Grant and Greta Garbo earned national recognition as their movies played in cinemas across the globe, creating legions of die-hard fans. In 1964, when The Beatles first came to America, swarms of screaming, crying fangirls followed them around, sparking a wave of “Beatlemania.” In the modern day, social media has only made parasocial relationships more common. Influencers post "Get Ready With Me" and "What I Eat In A Day" videos, giving people constant access to their personal habits and routines. Professional athletes and pop stars alike post memes and travel vlogs. Twitch streamers host hours- or days-long live streams, which people will keep on as they study, eat, and sleep. Parasocial relationships have slowly started to replace personal relationships. Social media has allowed parasocial relationships to become increasingly unhealthy. Celebrities’ lives are overexposed, more so than they were in the age of 2000s tabloids. In the past, celebs would dash away from paparazzi when they exited clubs. Now, celebrities post their step-by-step morning routines, complete with commentary on the latest scandal or trend. At the same time, fan culture has also blossomed to new heights thanks to social media. In the 2010s, websites like Discord, Tumblr, and Reddit allowed people to start fan communities, where people from all over the world could discuss everything from who was the cutest member of Fall Out Boy to what would happen on next week’s episode of “Supernatural.” These forums allowed niche fandoms to pop up, connecting people across the globe. While that may have been a good way to find friends with shared interests, especially for those in small or rural towns, it had the unfortunate effect of placing people in an echo chamber. Parasocial relationships have slowly started to replace personal relationships. A recent study found that 61% of adolescents “thought of their favorite media figures as relationship partners.” Another study found that many people felt the parasocial relationships they had with celebrities “were more effective at fulfilling their emotional needs than in-person acquaintances.” For some people, parasocial relationships can be helpful, as they are less likely to instill feelings of rejection, disappointment, or betrayal, and they are far more resilient than an average relationship. Unfortunately, this can quickly spiral out of control. People may be afraid of forming personal connections, considering them “too risky,” causing them to push away their friends or family members. Over time, people can become extremely isolated, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. It also creates emotional dependency on a relationship that isn’t real, which can leave people stranded. Being a fan of someone isn’t an inherently bad thing. At its best, it can be an incredible way to find communities of people who have similar passions and values. The key is to engage with celebrities and public figures in a healthy way. Obsession typically devolves into idolatry, impairing people's ability to have normal relationships because they are wildly devoted to someone they follow online. In contrast, a healthy parasocial relationship is simply about enjoying an artist's creation. Many celebrities have had to address fans who have crossed the line by being disrespectful during their interactions. Billie Eilish has made public statements about “fans” dressing up like her in public and surrounding themselves with bodyguards in attempts to impersonate her. “Please stop doing this,” she said in an Instagram post. “It is not safe for you and it is mean to the people who don’t know any better… You make me look bad.” She also posted screenshots from several YouTube videos where content creators dressed up and acted like her in public, a trend that clearly made her uncomfortable. Selena Gomez expressed concerns over toxic fan behavior as well, claiming that her fans had been sending Hailey Bieber death threats. Gomez begged her fans to have healthier boundaries, urging them not to attack and threaten people they perceived to be her “rivals.” Cole Sprouse stated similar concerns in an Instagram story, writing, “Attacking my friends, baseless accusations, leaking my address, and sending death threats are all qualities of insanity and fanaticism.” Obsession typically devolves into idolatry, impairing people's ability to have normal relationships because they are wildly devoted to someone they follow online. The best way to steer clear of unhealthy celebrity obsessions is to understand that your relationship with them is one-sided. There’s nothing wrong with fan art, chatting about your favorite movie directors, or going to an album release party. There is something wrong with turning those people into a graven image, following their every move, and invading their privacy. One of the joys of living in the social media age is that we have the unique opportunity to better understand the artists and public figures we admire than we ever have before. It’s always fun to have your favorite celebrity respond to your comment or answer your question on a live stream. It’s exciting to create drawings or memes about their art that they might see or retweet. Certain celebrities have gone out of their way to embrace their fans, praising them for their support and showing their appreciation. Dolly Parton is known for praising fan covers on YouTube and stopping to spend time with fans, sharing heartfelt moments and her signature hugs. Lana Del Rey also has a reputation for giving fans hugs and encouragement, while Keanu Reeves is known to willingly stop for photos and engage in meaningful conversations. And although Taylor Swift has dealt with an army of Swifties buying the trash from her wedding, she has been praised for sending gifts to her fans and surprising them with visits. Many celebrities take the time to be kind to their fans, and their fans should be willing to return that respect.