The Parasocial Network

We all have TV shows, movies, music and other media that grab our attention. Sometimes, the story or song alone isn’t enough and we dive into press tour antics, behind-the-scenes input from creators and sometimes the personal lives of actors or musicians. 

Fanfiction, fan accounts, fan edits and many other modes of admiration are appropriate ways to participate in fandom, but oftentimes the parasocial bug catches on and we find ourselves overly invested in a creator’s life to an almost stalker-like extent. Many celebrities have caught on to this obsession trend, and they are retaliating through their art.

On-Screen Emotional Support 

When watching a comfort show, movie or YouTube channel, it can be easy to feel a connection to the characters and creators on screen. Certain situations may be reminiscent of your personal life, or alternatively act as an escape from real-world struggles. Sometimes it is easy to get so caught up in a fandom where it is difficult to disentangle the person from the character or persona they portray to the world. The formation of a purely one-sided connection can often be misconstrued as a false sense of friendship and support. 

Social Media Blurs the Line With Reality 

Advancements in social media, along with pressures on actors and creators to constantly be producing media like short-form video content, make it easy for parasocial relationships to spiral out of control. Following a celebrity on Instagram means the ability to see snapshots into their everyday life, though everything they post may be romanticized and produced. Easy access to celebrities can lead to harassment through comment sections and messaging features as well. Many widely known stars have done away with social media altogether for this reason. 

Parasocial obsessions can come in many forms. Many fans write fan fiction, create edits and montages, and even dig into internet archives to attempt to unearth personal information from a celebrity’s life. This can be extremely unnerving to creators who are trying to pursue a career comfortably in something they are passionate about. Excessive fan behavior has turned many away from industries they were otherwise thriving in, while others struggle with mental health problems and fear for personal safety and privacy.

Celebrities Speak Out 

Though superfans have historically pushed the boundaries in relationships with what they tend to forget are total strangers, many big names have begun to retaliate. Tyler, the Creator features songs in his most recent albums, “Don’t Tap the Glass” and “Chromakopia,” about the feelings of paranoia and anxiety he gets from fans who push the boundaries between his professional and personal lives. 

Similarly, Chappell Roan, who skyrocketed into success in the summer of 2024, very quickly gained a massive fanbase, many of whom dug into the singer’s personal life, unearthing information from before her fame as well as details the artist intended to keep private. She has consistently called out fans through interviews and social media posts, reminding them that they are not her friends and do not know her in real life. 

What are your thoughts about parasocial relationships? Let us know @VALLEYMag on Instagram or X!

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