Whether it be an A list actress or a glorified socialite, one thing remains true: fame. When a person reaches a certain amount of popularity, they are no longer just themselves but mystified, and idolized versions of such. A celebrity, of course, cannot exist without fans. When you hear the term “fandom,” you probably think of twitter posts or TikTok edits.
However, this phenomenon has existed long before the age of the internet. Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, or Michael Jackson are some of the most well-known names in the world even now. Fame can be a great thing, giving platforms to talented newcomers can change their lives for the better. The art they put out into the world can influence people across the globe. However, there is a dark side to that level of fame. With a massive platform comes invasions of privacy and public scrutiny which often leads to depression, drugs or in some cases – even death. We have seen this throughout history, and we see it even more today with social media. People are now able to take 30 seconds out of their day to comment on whatever pops inside their mind. As many devoted fans exist, so do equally dedicated critics – both of which engage in parasocial behaviors, two sides of the same coin.
In talking about the dark side of fame, there is one woman in particular I would be remiss not to mention. I am of course talking about the icon herself, Britney Spears. She initially began her career as a child star in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, later transitioning into a teen pop idol. While Britney was seen as the all-American princess in her youth, public consensus shifted as the years went on. Britney began to display increasingly erratic behaviors including a shaved head and even a brief hospitalization. Her mental health crisis was not only met with a lack of compassion by the media, but it was also mocked and ridiculed. Unflattering paparazzi photos and tabloid gossip ran rampant. Everything from her weight, her sanity, and even her competence as a mother became a forum for public debate and cheap jokes. This eventually resulted in Britney being placed in a conservatorship by her father in 2008 – only being overturned in recent years due to social media outrage and the formation of the #FreeBritney movement from younger fans. The audience that once claimed to love Britney Spears had turned her into a cautionary tale, a scary reality for many in the public eye – both past and present.Â
Britney’s story, while tragic, is far from unique. What happened to her is a perfect demonstration of the parasocial relationships that happen between celebrities and fans – and how those can turn from fun to frightening within the blink of an eye. A parasocial relationship is when somebody develops a sense of familiarity with a person they do not know (most often public figures). These relationships can be harmless, but boundaries can get blurred fast – especially with how social media is these days. A celebrity can post a funny or “personal” TikTok, for instance, and it creates an illusion with fans that they are friends rather than unknown admirers. The fans then begin to feel entitled to the celebrity’s time, relationships and the inner workings of their personal lives. With Britney, the public became so invested that it led to a mental health crisis becoming a source of entertainment and a public debate spanning decades. Whether it’s born from adoration, hatred, or anything in between – parasocial relationships can irrevocably change the lives of those affected for better or for worse.