Why are we Obsessed With Celebrities?
The flashing lights that graze their presence everyday. The camera lenses that function like a telescope into their deepest endeavors. We have 99.9 percent of the same genetic makeup as celebrities– so why are we specially invested in their lives?
This phenomenon of extreme celebrity idolization dates back to as early as the 18th Century when many famous authors and performers had stalkers, loyal groupies, and mounts of fan mail. During the romanticism era, subjectivity and individuality were emphasized and the Western world gained a deep fascination with arts, literature, and high culture. As literacy also increased in the West, it became apparent to the press that celebrity news was becoming increasingly popular.
Today, we have social media which has completely zoomed in the lens through which we look into celebrities' lives. Celebrities can give us insights into their lives through their phone screens and we can easily communicate with them too. Although this can be a fun aspect of social media, it can also lead to more eerie interactions and can fuel obsessive behaviors.
Fans often take extreme measures for someone they idolize. Behavior that should be considered illegal is somehow allowed just because a person has a high level of fame. For example, in August, numerous Taylor Swift fans crowded well-known producer Jack Antonoff’s wedding rehearsal just for the chance to see Swift in the flesh. Hundreds of fans were outside the venue chanting her name. Although this behavior is invasive, no celebrity at the event commented on the situation. Celebrities often recognize how absurd fan behavior can be. However, they often stay silent about it in the hope of maintaining their relationship. Fans can control celebrity image. If you turn on your fans they may also turn on you.
The relationship celebrities have with their fans is almost transactional. Without a strong fanbase, it can be difficult for celebrities to gain monumental levels of success. Fans support and uplift celebrities they want to see succeed. Many celebrities know this and will use this to their advantage.
Many eye roll at celebrities who wish for privacy or try to set boundaries with the public. The public often argues that they “signed up for it.” Although many celebrities may feel honored to be recognized for their achievements and want to be held to a high standard, few people would want every aspect of their life published for the whole world to see. Often they do not have a choice.
Recently Doja Cat called out her fans for being too invested in her life. In, now deleted tweets, the rapper said, “My fans don’t get to name themselves s--t. If you call yourself a ‘Kitten’ or f- - - - - -g ‘Kittenz’ that means you need to get off your phone and get a job and help your parents with the house.” After she said this, A fan asked the Doja Cat to say that she loves her fans. She responded with, “I don’t though cuz I don’t even know yall.”
Many people found Doja Cat’s responses to seem ungrateful or rude and afterward many of her fan accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter, were deactivated. Although I don’t necessarily agree with the way that Doja Cat responded to her fans, I think that she opened an interesting door to exploring how celebrities communicate with their fans. She pointed out that the deep parasocial relationship that her fans have with her should not be so normalized.
Celebrities have become an outlet for people who feel misunderstood. Most celebrities have specialties in the arts such as music and acting. Music lyrics that feel like someone has opened up your brain and written all of your inner thoughts. Films that cause you to weep out of the gut-wrenching emotions that it portrays. These forms of artistic work make people feel something real, even if the relationship between the fan and artist/celebrity/actor is non-existent. On top of that, fans can watch hours of interviews of their favorite celebrities on YouTube, deeply analyze their Instagrams, and spend all day reading their tweets. In a world where it might feel like no one understands us, it might feel easy to turn to the people who have no idea that you exist. Often, celebrities reveal so many details about their lives and seemingly show us vulnerability that it can make it feel like we know them personally.
I have certainly been guilty of being heavily invested in celebrity gossip. Amongst my friends and other members of Generation Z, the topic of what is going on in celebrities’ lives can be a natural conversation starter. Because celebrities seem so distant from us, it is easily forgotten that they are people just like us. The next time you’re heartbroken about your celebrity crush being in a new relationship or maybe a little too invested in a celebrity feud on social media, think about why you have such strong feelings on the matter. Do the relationships you have with celebrities overtake the relationships in your daily life?