Parasocial relationships, boundaries and perspective
We are living in the age of entertainment, so there is no surprise that we want to be entertained. The consumption of art is something that is not new to human beings. Through many generations, humans have had various sources of fun, notably finding that through the observation of other people. From plays back in the days of ancient Greece to kings and queens inviting composers to their court, to now watching people through our screens. Though throughout history, art was sought out, there has been a switch in relation to art and celebrity status. I am sure that many will say they have a deep appreciation for art. Even if not outright, most of us are listening to music, watching a film or even engaging in written works (yes, writing can be art), we are constant consumers of art. Art is important and it is something rather special that people can make money through artistic pursuits. Shared passion and appreciation is something that comes along when one has respect of another. The ability for humans to be able to engage all over the world with a creation of a blooming mind is one that should not be taken for granted, but often is.
Celebrities and the famous are in a separate society from us, their class, status and community all make them seem detached from the everyday humanity that we have. At the end of the day, everyone still has basic needs; groceries, sleep and time to themselves. They are people who happen to exist in a public sphere. However, because now we do have access to seeing them whenever and wherever we want via media, seeing someone you idolize in real life can be a shock. Their physical manifestation is one that is uncommon to us, but because we have the habit of seeing them whenever we please, the entitlement of access can transfer to real life. It is understandable to want interaction, this is when you must be reminded of their humanness. They are not an object for your consumption, but a subject of their own life.
You do not own your favourite artist. “Their career would not exist without us,” no career would exist without human engagement. For example, Tim Hortons needs customers to stay open, but you do not mistreat the barista simply because without you, they wouldn’t have a job. You do not walk to up said Tim Hortons barista when they are not behind a Tim Hortons counter and ask them to make you an Iced Capp, then proceed to be outraged when they say no. Sure, celebrities can assume there are certain things that come along with fame. Benefits such as brands sending you free things, getting free meals at certain restaurants, riches that are associated with their careers. However, alongside these there are also the drawbacks of not being able to go out in public most of time without the fear of a crowd. The looming threat of someone potentially assaulting them or paparazzi taking photos of them when they do not wish that. For celebrities, there is no work-life balance. It can be argued that when you become a celebrity, your identity is associated with that forever, but this is not the only career that has this attached to it. Doctors, for example, are known as doctors to their friends and family. There are often instances when they are off the clock and people ask them health-related questions. Though they may be off the clock, there are no breaks, it is a lifestyle. We can all acknowledge that this must be annoying. Imagine constantly being treated like you are on the clock of your job and having to act like you are. Though their existence has become commodified, they are still not objects being sold. You cannot claim ownership of a person, doing this denies them their humanity.
Para sociality is a rather big aspect of this issue. It is even used as a marketing tool because of how well it works to get people to engage and purchase various content. Feeling a deeper connection with a celebrity is something that can make you feel special, it is a one-sided psychological relationship. For example, KPOP idols will post vlogs of their days or go on reality shows and you can “really get to know them” or you “know” their personality. When you truly think about it, we see about 10 edited minutes of their days. There is much that is left out, and it can be easy to act like a specific kind of person, especially when your job depends on it. Even when you work a retail job, there is a switch that many people do in their voice and personality to have happier clients. Seeing someone for 10 minutes does not mean that you know them, let alone when you see them through a screen. Nonetheless, this can make it difficult for boundaries to be set, as there is a certain vulnerability that comes with posting yourself doing everyday tasks. In a way humanizing themselves can cause fans to romanticize them, allowing them to interact with an idol’s everyday life. This gives the impression that they are actively apart of it, when they are a passive observer.
A good example of a celebrity drawing boundaries is American singer Chappell Roan. In two TikTok videos, Roan expresses that she wishes to be left alone when in public, giving examples of if she were not a celebrity that this behaviour would be renowned as intolerable and strange. Many people would know Roan has had a boom of fame, though she has been making music since 2014. She said this sudden burst of fans and engagement has been overwhelming for her and she even spoke about it on stage. This caused a swarm of comments, attacking her by saying, “she is not built for fame.”
No person should have to adjust to harassment.
The fact that harassment toward celebrities has become commonplace is something that poorly reflects our society and displays how tolerant we are of criminal behavior. We should reflect as consumers and adjust our relationship with media consumption to profound appreciation and not obsession.
Even walking into an art gallery comes with the assumption that you will conduct yourself in a manner that will respect others but also the art itself; you do not touch it, you look from afar and you appreciate it in a respectful manner. Paintings get more respect than real living beings, let that sink in. Perhaps our constant access is the reason that engagement with art has changed to entitlement to the artist. This is deep-rooted into our lives. It won’t change overnight, and it is something that has to be unpacked and spoken about in a manner that people will understand. We have no right to another person. We cannot compromise someone’s dignity because we enjoy their work.
