Social media has brought about many changes to how people across the world connect. A useful tool that has allowed many to make friends, learn new skills or get their news. However, the collision of fame and social media reshapes fan and celebrity culture into its own noxious witch’s brew — an evolution from the standard paparazzi format of asking invasive, uncomfortable questions. Well, with the advancement of social media, parasocialism develops into parasitism. Fans want to know everything, every bit of hot gossip, and they will do anything to get it.
It would be ignorant to pretend this obsessive mentality is new, but it was formerly limited. Information was harder to get a hold of, and privacy was a more attainable luxury. Today, though, a celebrity’s personal details are on full display, under the media spotlight. Obsession is nurtured through the heavy flow of information, spoon-fed to the average viewer.
The internet has been ideal for cultivating a celebrity’s perfect image for a crowd of oh-so-hungry viewers to latch onto like starved leeches, creating a base for obsession. This mania encourages fans even further — surpassing the already-creepy behaviors, under the guise of meaningful connection with big name celebrities. These are no longer the elusive singer-songwriters one could only dream of shaking hands with, instead treated as close companions. This warped perception of connection has led fans to overstep the line of what is appropriate, such as the deluded stranger who proposed to Keke Palmer, in front of thousands, and made a complete fool of himself.
A celebrity’s loyal devotees do not require an in-person interaction to fall under a spell. Even the smallest affront to a beloved internet darling is enough to set forth the hounds from hell. It is no longer a matter of disagreement; it is a warzone across forums. For both an impressive — and intimidating — fanbase, look no further than the Barbz. Lurking on Twitter, these superfans come forth in droves at the smallest slight against their ruler, Nicki Minaj. Mercy upon any opinionated user who falls under their scrutiny — doxxing is certain to follow.
Despite the harmful nature of this relationship, it seems it is doomed to persist onwards. These stars are actively perpetuated as less of a person and more of an ideal, and boundaries are discouraged as a means of gaining traction. This parasocial relationship is nurtured into a much more sinister situation, from an innocent appreciation of an artist into something akin to the relationship between a tapeworm and its host.