My name is Annie and I am a fangirl. Yes, a proud and out, full blown exceedingly dedicated lady who excels in the art of obsessing. And I’m writing to tell you that I’m a taking a stand in the destigmatization of fan-girling! And you should too!
I love books. And TV shows. And movies and James Franco. (Especially James.) I have trekked city blocks for miles to have books signed by their authors. I have run up to unassuming celebrities while walking to classes. I have asked for signatures on anything from a cardboard box to a napkin. And I’ve been doing these sort of things since the tender age of six. I am seasoned, sharp, and always on the prowl to scout out the whereabouts of bands, the latest book-signing, or the location of a celebrity at any given time. There’s something so intensely gratifying about obtaining that extremely sneaky pic of a tragically underrated B list celebrity, or snatching an almost indecipherable scrawled signature from Zach Braff. This is the heart of fangirling; the unbridled enthusiasm and revelation of self through different forms of art, media, music, and literature.
Before accepting this label of “fan-girl”, I was always a little apprehensive about making my obsessions known. Isn’t it cool to be a little jaded? A little bit indifferent to most things? But after watching Tavi Gevinson’s, the editor and founder of Rookie Magazine, brilliant speech at Ideas at The House, I finally accepted my true identity and realized the inherent goodness that lies within this subculture. Gevinson spends much of the talk discussing the inspiring effects of seeing others experience such transparent, pure passion and enthusiasm, of becoming part of a community that is formed from the fans, and of forming authentic personal connections through experiencing another person’s work.
So, case in point, fan-girling is more than okay! It’s an essential practice (in my opinion!) in the development of ourselves; in determining our talents, tastes, aesthetics, and interests. It builds a community riddled with understanding and acceptance. My fabulous friend Alisabeth, who has a chronic and incurable case of Harry Styles fever says of the practice, “Fan-girling gives you something constructive to be ‘obsessed’ with.” So everyone, shed your worries and inhibitions. Accept your inner fan-girl always.
Here’s some of my most accomplished fan-girl endeavours! Enjoy.
~My first fan-girl moment. I was approximately six years old when I heard Britney Spears was on the same beach as my family and I. I immediately went up to the pop-star and asked for an autograph- no shame at all. It was magical.
~My friend Kris (a splendidly dedicated fanboy) and I sneaking a pic in with Sir Michael Kors.
~Some various encounters with authors! (Lena Dunham, Roxane Gay, James Franco)
~Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) from Sex and the City!
~Finally, the holiest grail; the icing on top of the ultimate fangirl’s cake: a selfie with James Franco
Check out Tavi’s speech here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSkz7c4wT9A