I’ll go out on a limb and say that when you think of the term “fangirl,” you automatically think of a teenage girl, screaming and/or crying at a pop concert. If you don’t automatically think of this archetype, then you’re likely in the same boat as me: a proud fangirl through and through.
For my whole life, I have truly loved the things that I love. From growing up watching Phineas and Ferb on repeat with my brother, to plastering my room with the faces of One Direction, to paying a pretty penny to see BTS in concert this past summer, I’m very passionate about the things that I like. This aspect of myself has its pros and cons. One of the biggest cons is the sheer amount of money that I’ve spent on concerts, merch, books, etc. However, I believe that the amount I have paid is offset by what being fangirl has given me: some of the best friendships I’ve ever had. There is simply nothing better than having friends you are able to nerd out with about your favorite things. In fact, I made all of my first friends in college because of our shared love of K-Pop music, and we are still going strong in our junior year. There’s something so special about being able to stay up until midnight for new releases, watching music videos on the T.V., and singing our favorite songs obnoxiously loud in the car together. It’s safe to say that being a fangirl has only added to my quality of life.
In today’s popular culture, there is a certain stigma surrounding fangirls who have been characterized as crazed or borderline psychotic about their particular interests, when they’re just enjoying themselves. Now, I can admit there have been many wild instances of crazy, parasocial behavior towards celebrities. However, people generally don’t have the same opinions or reactions towards male sports fans despite them being similarly, or even more, obsessed with their favorite team or player. Win or lose, men will rip lampposts out of the ground and set cars on fire, and people won’t bat an eye. They’ll just say they’re “passionate” and move on as if nothing happened. Quite frankly, this way of thinking is deeply misogynistic. As long as no one is being harmed, women should be able to like the things they like without the unwarranted scrutiny of others.Â
It may be hard to admit, but everyone is a fangirl at heart. No matter if you’re a man or a woman, a teenager or an adult. Whether your interests lay in the fine arts or sports, everyone is undeniably a fan of something or someone. Fandom culture was born from the desire of a community surrounding a common interest. Human connection is crucial to our well-being and one of the easiest ways to fulfill this is by finding and surrounding yourself with people who like the same things you do. In my opinion, everyone needs to stop being nonchalant about the things that bring you joy. The art of being a fangirl is living and loving freely, without worrying about what others think of you.
Can’t get enough of HC UMass Amherst? Be sure to follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Spotify, like us on Facebook, and read our latest Tweets! Â