Many people are infatuated with TV shows, movies, singers, actors, and the list goes on. A majority of South High’s students are on social media, and have their own interests. Most people are seen on Tik Tok or Instagram liking and reposting edits or pictures of their celebrity crushes. One of the common questions that get passed around is: “Who’s your celebrity crush?” Although the question is fun and harmless, people can still cross boundaries.
Parasocial relationships are described as follows: when a person is having an unrequited attraction towards a person, usually a celebrity, that has no clue said person even exists. Most of the time, the attraction is harmless, but as some people believe they are building actual connections with a person through the screen, is where it gets serious.
Celebrities can be put in dangerous situations if fans don’t understand boundaries. Parasocial relationships can start stalkerish tendencies, thus, being extremely harmful for the fan and the celebrity. People can start to be more reckless, because they want any possibility to see or talk to their idol. This leads to privacy being invaded for the celebrity, and many incidents like those never end up well for both parties.
Different views or mannerisms can be picked up from celebrities, whether that be good or bad, can influence their fans tremendously. Fans being so attached to their idol can lead to changes in their own lives and personalities.
Politics can be a major part of people’s lives, and some fans blindly follow what their celebrities believe, just because they love them. Most fans are usually teenagers or kids, so their opinions can be changed quickly if they see their idol has a certain opinion. Some influencers can use this as an advantage and give misinformation out to their viewers in order to receive more followers. This makes people more vulnerable to manipulation and uneducated decisions.
Overall, having a celebrity crush can be fun, but people should know there are limits. Some parasocial relationships can help people feel a sense of belonging, or having something to distract themselves. In the end, people should be mindful of how far they go.
