Celebrity culture has been popular since the origin of “fame” as a concept, which is a long time. “Fame” is a term that has been around since the Romans, although it has changed throughout the years. Some of the earliest celebrities were politicians, performers and athletes. People who sought fame back then wanted to be remembered after their deaths. The goal of the modern celebrity is to be renowned and popular during one’s lifetime. Nowadays, even social media influencers and TikTokers can be considered celebrities.
The Chappell Controversy
In a world where parasocial relationships and an addiction to celebrity drama are so prevalent, how do we draw the line between interacting with fans and having boundaries? Chappell Roan, an artist who has very recently skyrocketed to fame, has attempted to set these boundaries — and the backlash has been palpable.
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Last week, former Chelsea soccer player posted on Instagram that his daughter was accosted by Roan’s security guard at a hotel in São Paulo, after simply walking by her table and giving a smile. At first glance, the story makes Roan look insensitive and mean to younger fans. However, she apologized and claimed that the man involved in the incident was not her personal security guard.
We will never know exactly what went down in São Paulo, but the incident raises the question: what do celebrities owe their fans?
Boundaries or Bad Behavior?
Everyone knows that stardom does not come without its own set of challenges. The internet and social media make the most famous people in the world feel closer to us than ever before. While some fans are loving and harmless, others can develop para-social bonds that can quickly turn into harassment and violence. People become obsessive, and what starts out as idolizing someone can quickly turn into stalking and trespassing. Stars like Ariana Grande and Drake have been attacked and grabbed by fans at their shows. Other celebrities like Taylor Swift and Eminem have dealt with trespassers breaking into their homes with deadly weapons.
Since her rise to fame, Chappell Roan has been at the forefront of calling out this bad behavior — she has on numerous occasions called out fans for harassment and red-carpet photographers for yelling at her. Many people think that she is completely right—while the price of success does include extreme visibility, it shouldn’t include violence because of a fan’s entitlement. At the end of the day, celebrities are people who experience anxiety and bad days. However, many people also think that celebrities do owe their fans a certain kindness, as they wouldn’t have the fame if it weren’t for the fans who supported them. If a child can’t get excited to see their favorite artist, have we lost the plot?
Maybe the problem lies in the idolizing itself. We put our favorite stars on such a pedestal that when they mess up or act in a way we don’t like, we are gravely disappointed. At the end of the day, musical artists are there to make music. We are not their personal friends whether we hate to admit that or not — these people have no idea who we are. Celebrity culture can be fun to engage with, but these boundaries must exist in order to keep each other safe and happy.
What are your thoughts on celebrity culture and parasocial relationships? Let us know by tagging us @VALLEYMag on X!
