With the rise of social media and online influencers, more people are getting a taste of stardom than ever before. Now is the time to sit down and reconsider the influence these celebrities have over you.
“[A celebrity is] somebody with popularity and money. Celebrities are supposed to be well known and have a lot of influence because they have a lot of followers. [At the end of the day, a celebrity] is just a lucky person who got followers. Without [followers], they still have their talent, but they do not have their influence,” senior Zach Nishida said.
In the past decade, the term ‘influencer’ for anyone fitting the above description has risen to popularity, and it is truly fitting. Whether their influence is intentional or unintentional, their choices sway the population.
“Studies have shown that we look to celebrities to satisfy three things: validation, pleasure, and excitement. [So long as] we’re still getting that [satisfaction] from them, we’re quick to justify and stand up for things we don’t stand for,” HCCF mental health counselor intern, Zane Wright, said.
For as many types of celebrities there are, there are more types of fans. It is important to recognize how one views celebrities, the relationships between them and yourself, and the ones created as a result of being a fan.
“Most of the time, [people follow a celebrity] for what they do. I’m not going to toss [anyone] aside [because] there are definitely people who follow the [celebrity for their character], but they are much lesser than [the people following the artist] for the content they create,” senior Kaitlin Yoshihara said.
However, there are those who see the celebrities themselves as inspiring.
“[Celebrities] are kind of like our role models, and they are someone who we idolize. I think in most instances it is pretty healthy to have somebody to look up to, especially if they are a positive influence on us and what we do,” junior Michi Yorkston said.
This is not a matter that is able to be simplified into something black or white. We as fans do not know them, and depending on them for one’s happiness is only a recipe for future disaster.
“[When a person believes that they know a celebrity], it does not end well. For one, it can be bad for the actual star, but also, when someone is obsessive with someone and something [bad] comes out about them, it breaks the whole image of them that they have created in their head,” junior Madison Hays said.
When seeing someone you don’t know, it is natural to fill in the gaps with your imagination and create a more desirable version of them in your mind. This increases your liking towards them and makes you more prone to defending them, which is why it is so important to keep in mind the reality of the situation.
“It can shatter their entire belief about this person, and if they’ve built their whole personality around [them], it doesn’t end well,” Hays said.
“Everybody, at the end of the day has a downside, and people who think that celebrities are perfect are fans of them and are blinded by their love. But, in reality, they are human beings and have their own [strengths and flaws],” Nishida said.
When a celebrity is frowned upon for an action, the backlash fades with time, but when a crazed fan creates turmoil, their actions will be reflected upon the entire fanbase and create a negative reputation for the community and even the artist they claim to support.
“If you start dedicating your entire life to them or begin to alter who you really are, it will make you stray from the right way to live, [and that is what going too far as a fan is]. Those types of fans, [who are obsessive], are very harmful and give a harmful stereotype to the fanbase. They become so invested and [always] on the celebrity’s side that it begins to alter their morals,” Yorkston said.
It is unhealthy to rely solely on influencers and other people on the internet, instead, also find people in real life to form genuine relationships with, whether it be friends or mentors. In the age of the internet, with information about these notable figures being so prominent, caution and introspection are necessities.
“The only way that I feel you can support the celebrity in a positive way is if you don’t treat them as if they’re your best bud. Always keep in mind that you don’t know them, and they don’t know you. [Go about being a fan in a] way where if someone were to come up to you and say they were a fan, you wouldn’t be freaked out. Be kind,” Yoshihara said.
