California – If you’ve ever used the internet, you know that celebrities are one of the most popular subjects on all social media platforms. People have always been idolized, but in our “internet age” that mode of expression has been enhanced and parasocial relationships encouraged.
Every time I open X, I witness brutal interactions with stun accounts. BTS Army, Swifties, Barbs, Arianators, you name it. If someone criticizes these artists, there will be an immediate outpouring of hate. Having a community of common interests is great, but revealing personal information and making death threats is the epitome of over-idolization.
Fans can develop toxic attachments to celebrities because they can track their every move through social media. They form unrequited emotional connections, create expectations about celebrity, and are hurt when those expectations are not met.
Singer Ethel Caine recently said in an interview that she feels she is being “meme-ized” and that her fans are uncomfortably attached to her persona rather than her work. She has experienced supporters taking jokes about X too far, or shouting ill-timed comments while playing emotional songs at shows. But people need to realize that they are supporting real people with boundaries, and you can’t really get to know someone just by media presence.
Audrey La Jeunesse (she/her) is a high school senior from the Bay Area.
Edited by Amber Lee
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