Parasocial Relationships & influencers | Graphic by Monica Brutto | The Wright State Guardian
In today’s digital age, audience members can feel closer to celebrities and influencers than ever. While this creates an exciting feeling of involvement for some fans, it also leads to creepy parasocial relationships and fans projecting their desires and beliefs onto people who are just that: people.
Parasocial relationships
Parasocial relationships have been an evolving problem in our society ever since the 1950s, when people began to feel a connection with those on a television screen that they have never met.
According to Psychology Today, “Parasocial relationships refer to one-sided relationships in which a person develops a strong sense of connection, intimacy, or familiarity with someone they don’t know, most often celebrities or media personalities.”
With the rise of social media today, viewers of popular internet celebrities have developed parasocial relationships with their favorite creators. In this same vein, many also put unreasonable expectations on many creators.
Elyse Myers
TikTok comedy sensation Elyse Myers rose to fame after a couple of viral videos where she told real stories of her life. When she reached fame, Myers was already married and had her first son, August.
In Sept. 2023, Myers and her husband welcomed their second son, Oliver. Myers shares videos about her children, but she does not include them in her videos. She does, however, discuss her family on her page. She openly shared that after Oliver’s birth, the family learned that their baby boy had heart problems that would require surgery.
Around the same time that the Myers family was dealing with their infant’s health problems, Elyse’s comments began being flooded with comments asking her to make a video addressing the crisis going on in Palestine.
Fans commented about Operation Watermelon, the social media movement to get influencers to share facts about the genocide and help raise money, perpetually on Myers’ page.
Elyse Myers’ comment section | Photo provided by Women Press Freedom
According to Women Press Freedom, the strategies commenters use for Operation Watermelon are considerably unethical.
“Women Press Freedom has observed with growing concern the recent digital activism campaign known as Operation Watermelon. This campaign, rooted in the intention to amplify the Palestinian cause, has intentionally or unintentionally employed tactics that raise significant ethical questions and have resulted in the targeted harassment of individuals,” the website states.
Myers chose to ignore these comments for a while, instead focusing on making her usual, upbeat content with silly stories and her interests such as crochet, and discussing Oliver’s health from time to time.
Comments regarding Operation Watermelon persisted, however, to the point that Myers removed herself entirely from the social media space, only posting occasional updates on her YouTube channel, which were usually vlogs focused on her day-to-day life and information regarding Oliver.
Why Myers?
Elyse Myers is a great example of a funny, down-to-earth influencer who people feel they can connect with. She is very open with her stories, sharing seemingly intimate details of her life.
It did not take long after her fame for fans to latch on and begin to feel super attached to Myers. The comments in her section that ultimately left her feeling forced to take a break are a great example.
“The week that we commented on her post, she came back after two days of us commenting, posting a video about plucking chin hairs,” Operation Watermelon organizer Angie said to Women Press Freedom. “She posted a comedic video after two days of comments, and that is when it became about her. Because it showed her true character and her true colors. It was so tone-deaf.”
Fans want their favorite celebrities to discuss the topics that are important to them, often because they feel that this will spread knowledge to the public, but sometimes because they feel they are owed a comment or explanation.
Even while Myers was dealing with an infant who was about to undergo heart surgery, fans and non-fans refused to let up as they pushed her for her answer and comment on the situation in Palestine.
Operation Watermelon denies targeting the video in which Meyers announced the heart surgery for her son.
Myers has recently returned to all social media, now that her son’s health is in a better place. Fans in her comment sections are now fiercely defending her, and demanding that everyone be on their best behavior.
Chappell Roan
The “Hot To Go” singer Chappell Roan has recently skyrocketed to high heights of fame and has seemingly created a bit of a frenzy in her fanbase.
A couple of weeks ago, Roan took to TikTok and Instagram to stand up for herself after fans followed her and her family around in a public space, demanding Roan pay attention to them and take photos.
Roan stated that she would not ever stand for this behavior from her fans or anyone. She put up clear boundaries, saying that when she is not on stage or at any other event, people have no right to demand anything of her. If she wants to take a picture, she will. If she does not, she will not.
The social media posts were met with very mixed reactions, with some fans supporting her and loving the way that she stood up for herself. Others, however, said that this showed that Roan was not cut out for the spotlight and that she needed to get over herself.
Political standings
Recently, Roan gave an interview with The Guardian stating that she would not endorse a Presidential candidate and encouraging people to use their critical thinking skills.
“I have so many issues with our government in every way. There are so many things that I would want to change. So I don’t feel pressured to endorse someone. There’s problems on both sides. I encourage people to use your critical thinking skills, use your vote – vote small, vote for what’s going on in your city,” Roan said in the original interview.
This has caused yet another slight scandal within the Chappell Roan fandom, as some fans began to worry that she might support a candidate who her fans do not.
After the interview, fans speculated over who she might be voting for, after she stated her belief that both sides were flawed. This speculation quickly took on an accusatory and mean nature, so Roan took to TikTok once again to provide context and defend herself from the backlash.
She stated that she would not be voting for Presidential candidate Donald Trump, and stated that anyone who knew her beliefs should have already known that. She still did not endorse Kamala Harris or state who she would vote for and doubled down that she would not be.
Some fans, mainly Harris supporters, are upset by this, feeling that Roan should share with them directly who she is voting for. Roan has continued to say that people need to use their thinking skills, and not listen to what other people tell them to do.
Takeaways
In the digital world we live in, it is easy to feel very connected to influencers and celebrities. However, fans need to remember that the people on the other side of the screen are still people with complex lives and feelings and not just symbols or icons that fans can use as puppets.
Celebrities and influencers do not owe anything to the public, including their fans. While parasocial relationships may lead to feelings that we know these people, we have to remember that we do not, and that it is important to respect their boundaries.
