On March 10th, Be: Lift Lab, the company that owns the K-pop boy group Enhypen, announced the shocking news that Lee Heeseung will be leaving Enhypen to pursue a solo career. With millions of deeply devastated fans, many have shared how Enhypen has helped them through hard times. They believe that it will not be the same without all seven members together. This belief is shared across the random, ranging from those who simply love their music to those who form a complex one-sided parasocial relationship. As seen with Enhypen, celebrities can have a vast impact on fans.
Being a fan does not necessarily mean buying all of their albums or going to their concerts. Some fans enjoy listening to an artist’s music, while others may like them for their appearance or personality. Some may even spend hundreds of dollars in support of their favorite celebrities.
As teens grow up, their idols start to shape their identity. Many find something they admire in celebrities and look up to them to help define their goals, beliefs, and values. Celebrities can be a positive influence on adolescence, especially if they are advocates for significant issues, such as mental health. Additionally, these celebrities know their impact; therefore, many become advocates to create larger influences. In contrast, because these celebrities have a huge amount of influence, teens may blindly follow them in situations where they are bad role models.
Some teens determine who they are through parasocial relationships with celebrities. A parasocial relationship is where one person may feel a connection and friendship with someone, but that person, usually a celebrity, is unaware of his or her existence. Teens often crave these types of relationships for the sense of companionship and motivation because they fear rejection. However, Mr. Walls (S) states, “As we’ve become more isolated, alienated, and lonely, these parasocial interactions have replaced normal healthy relationships, sometimes entirely…If our role models are healthy examples of how to act, then it can be a good thing, but it is never a replacement for normal friendships and healthy attachment with family and loved ones.”
Escapism is a type of coping mechanism to escape mentally and emotionally from reality when life becomes difficult. High school students often seek escapism when they experience a high amount of stress from school and homework. They find comfort in celebrity videos and content, often using those as a strategy to de-stress and take a break. Eva Gao (10) shares, “When I feel stressed, listening to songs by my favorite celebrities helps me release stress and change my mood.” Escapism can be healthy if used moderately; however, too much can affect an individual’s health negatively.
Obsession with celebrities is usually detrimental to adolescents’ lives. If teens follow a celebrity too much, it can affect their grades. By scrolling or watching celebrity content excessively, students may lose track of time, resulting in a delay in completing their homework. Mr. Walls (S) believes that overconsumption can lead to “procrastination, anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, motivational issues, etc.”
Being an obsessive fan of celebrities also raises concerns, such as the comparison trap. The comparison trap is the act of comparing one’s life to that of a celebrity. Although the comparison trap is mostly mentioned with social media, celebrities can also cause comparison traps since they create unrealistic standards. Some fans start to compare their body image, beauty standards, successes, etc., to celebrities. In severe cases, this can lead to eating disorders, anxiety, and depression, as teens may feel they are incompetent compared to celebrities.
Celebrities have a huge amount of impact on fans, whether positively or negatively. For many teens, they are an essential part of their identity. Celebrities can be a drive for motivation, but they can also be the downfall of an individual’s future if students fall for the comparison trap or let it affect their lives and grades. Teens should follow celebrities in a healthy way and for positive influences, instead of blindly obsessing over them.
