Are parasocial relationships with celebrities becoming more toxic?

Being famous often comes with a price, and one of them is navigating the complexities of fan culture. While adoration and support from fans can be flattering, the dark side of this relationship can take a toll on both the fans and even more so on the celebrities.

What is a parasocial relationship? 

Now, we’re definitely no strangers to the term ‘parasocial relationships’. For the unacquainted, they are basically one-sided relationships where fans develop a connection with a celebrity or influencer. Not to be confused with fangirling (or fanboying), the term was first coined by anthropologist Donald Horton and sociologist R. Richard Wohl in 1956.

Chappell Roan on her fans 

In recent years, the lines between admiration and obsession have been blurred, leading to troubling behaviours that go far beyond fanfare which may rub some celebrities off the wrong way. Take, for instance, earlier this week, singer Chappell Roan – who is best known for summer hits like “Hot To Go” – publicly called out fans on her TikTok, who crossed these boundaries, engaging in harassment and even stalking. 

In the first of two videos, which have racked up about 11 million views each (and counting), she appeared visibly distressed, questioning her audience about whether they would treat a random woman the same way they treat her in public, such as shouting her name from a car and invading her personal space.

In the second video, Chappell then explains that she understands that “abuse, harassment and stalking is a normal thing to do to people who are famous or a little famous,” but she stresses that she doesn’t feel like fans should be entitled to receiving a certain type of fan service from every celebrity.

Just like maintaining relationships with our real-life friends and family is crucial for sustaining those bonds, similar efforts are made in parasocial relationships. These connections are nurtured through activities like weekly viewings of shows or even through social media platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, which has made it more accessible to fans to express their feelings and interact with the celebs they look up to. Parasocial relationships thrive in these online communities, perhaps due to the heightened sense of “knowing” the celebrities and the perception that these interactions offer high emotional rewards sans the risk of rejection.

The situation with Chappell Roan also highlights deeper questions about the nature of today’s stan culture. As social media continues to shape how we interact with public figures, the intensity of fan devotion has reached new levels. This raises concerns about the boundaries that fans often cross in their quest for connection, pushing admiration into obsession.

Additionally, it raises important considerations for individuals who utilise social media and their follower base as tools to advance their careers or social standing. While social media platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for exposure and engagement, they also open the door to heightened scrutiny and unwarranted intrusions into personal life. The transition from online interactions to real-life encounters can be jarring, especially when fans’ behaviours become intrusive or disrespectful.

This dynamic forces us to ask: Where do we draw the line between healthy admiration and harmful behaviour? And how do public figures balance the benefits of online engagement with the challenges that come when the virtual world intrudes on their personal space? For celebrities like Chappell Roan, the very platforms that helped build their careers can also become sources of discomfort, as the boundaries between their public and private lives continue to blur.