In recent years, apps like TikTok, X, and Instagram, are making your favorite influencer extremely accessible. This has caused an uproar of discourse online about parasocial relationships. Dictionary.com describes it as a relationship that a person imagines having with another person whom they do not actually know, such as a celebrity or a fictional character. How well do you ever know your favorite influencer or celebrity? An influencer constantly appearing on your feed creates a sense of familiarity that can feel intimate. However, it’s important to remember that these individuals often do not know who you are on the other side of the screen.
Stars like Chappell Roan have recently come online to clarify that they want to keep their distance from their fans and not encourage parasocial relationships. In August, Chappell did an interview for “Rolling Stone” where she stated, “I want to live my life, be outside, giggle with my friends, go to the movie theater, feel safe, and do all the things every single person deserves to do,” Roan stated. “Please stop touching me. Please stop being weird to my family and friends. Please stop assuming things about me. There is always more to the story. I am scared and tired.” (Chappell Roan for Rolling Stone) Although these people have public lives, they deserve safety. At this year’s VMA hosted by MTV, Chappell once again stated her boundaries. A paparazzi on the red carpet was caught telling her to “Shut the F*ck up. “When Chappell snapped back and said, “You shut the F*ck up,” it caused a great frenzy online. Some online users call her “stuck up” or “coincided.” Other users online had the opposite reaction and liked how she stood up for herself. Chappell Roan is just one starlet who has publicly stated her dislike for this behavior.
Influencers like Tana Mongeau, a YouTuber who gained lots of success from her YouTube Storytimes, have even weighed in on the topic. In a YouTube video titled “A PSYCHO FAN ATTACKED US ON STAGE,” Tana Mongeau and her co-host, Brooke Schofield, recount the story of a fan running on stage and straight to her. The fan was swiftly taken off stage by security. These ‘story-like’ videos made Tana what she is today. Some argue that stars like Tana Mongeau interact with fans breeds a “Parasocial relationship.” This is not true. Yes, influencers can show us their lives online, but you will never know them personally. A ten-minute YouTube video will not give you a real glimpse into who these people are. People in the public should not be subject to these behaviors. However, sometimes you might feel very familiar with an influencer or celebrity you never really know them. Seeing someone on a screen for a few minutes every day does not equal a real relationship with them. The “Hot To Go” singer Chappell Roan stated in her interview with Rolling Stone, ” I feel more love than I ever have. I feel the most unsafe I have ever felt in my life.” Stars of the digital age will be in a constant state of navigating this new wave of stardom.
While parasocial relationships are not a new phenomenon, their manifestation has evolved significantly with the rise of social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram allow influencers to share intimate glimpses of their lives, such as morning routines or favorite hangout spots. This unprecedented access creates a sense of familiarity, making fans feel they know these figures personally, even though they do not. When people get different glimpses into these stars’ lives, they get a “knowing” feeling about the person. With the new wave of A-list pop singers and influencers, it’s essential to understand that these people deserve privacy and respect like you. Some argue that once you have a public persona, this will be something that comes along with that. While yes, public opinion will often be stated when you are in the public eye, safety for these people should be a right. These young stars deserve a state of privacy and the right to live life freely. If someone is willing to share their life with viewers, that should be respected and not scrutinized.
When stars like Chapell Roan speak up about the misgivings of fame, society needs to listen. These people should be able to share what they want without fearing their safety being tampered with. With the new generation of young A-list Hollywood stars and influencers, there is a serious need for a new standard of how viewers and the media treat them. At the end of the day, viewers will never fully grasp who these people they “idolize” are. It is best to enjoy the content and not take it to the next level.
