Have you ever found yourself scrolling through 'fan edits' of celebrities, following up on their personal life and mindlessly arguing in their defense to strangers on the internet, despite knowing if they have done something questionable? If you have, it means that you have experienced celebrity worship- a growing phenomenon in teenagers and young adults.
But what drives this intense admiration for famous individuals? Is it just harmless fandom, or is there something more to it? In this article, we will explore celebrity worship in young adults from a psychological perspective.
Celebrity worship syndrome (CWS) is an obsessive addictive disorder in which a person becomes overly involved with the details of a celebrity's personal and professional life. The celebrities could be athletes, models, singers, actors, or social media influencers.
It is concerning how common it has become. While keeping up with new movies and songs is normal, even acceptable for an individual, it is not normal for anyone to engage in intense admiration for celebrities.
Can celebrity worship be measured?
Yes, multiple rating systems and questionnaires created by psychologists can be used to evaluate celebrity worship. The Celebrity Attitude Scale, created in 2002 by Lynn McCutcheon and colleagues, is a commonly used scale. It suggests that there are three stages to this phenomenon, in increasing order of its danger.
Entertainment-social, the first stage, best describes individuals who follow celebrities only as a form of entertainment. It means they enjoy learning about pop culture, watching reality tv shows, and following celebrities on social media. They may even enjoy having discussions about them. However, they do not have strong feelings towards them.
Intense-personal, the second stage, describes individuals who have stronger feelings for their beloved celebrities. They indulge in stalking them online, creating fan accounts, watching their interviews repeatedly, or becoming aggressive if someone from a different 'fandom' starts an online war against two different celebrities. They may feel a sense of validation when the celebrity shares something personal on social media, or react to their messages. They may attend a celebrity's concert or event, hoping to catch a glimpse of the celebrity or get an autograph. They may feel an intense excitement or anticipation leading up to the event and may feel a sense of euphoria or fulfillment after the experience.
Borderline-pathological, the last and most dangerous stage, describes individuals who create their life around their beloved celebrity. They may spend an excessive amount of time following a celebrity on social media, to the point where they neglect their responsibilities or relationships. They may prioritize reading news or gossip about the celebrity over important tasks or activities and may become irritable if they are unable to check social media frequently.
This stage is dangerous because fans may begin to break rules to get a glimpse of their beloved celebrity, such as following them or their family in public, trespassing on their property, or even picking fights with their bodyguard.
Are there negative consequences to celebrity worship?
It is very possible that being a 'fan' of a celebrity can have its own consequences, both short-term and long-term.
Celebrity worship can sabotage your relationship with your loved ones. It may affect your own well-being and mental health as you may start to compare your life to theirs. According to research, people who experience borderline-pathological levels of celebrity worship are more likely to struggle with social dysfunction, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Worshipping a celebrity might encourage you to blindly follow product recommendations that are unsuited to you, thus taking a toll on your finances.
Young teenagers may take up a bad habit of watching their beloved celebrities. A lot of young people begin smoking and drinking to look 'cool.' When celebrities are seen smoking or drinking on TV shows, in movies, or in the news, it can create the perception that these behaviors are normal or desirable.
To conclude, it is completely acceptable to take an interest in pop culture, listen to mainstream music and watch new movies as they are released to the public. Being a fan of pop culture can be a fun and enjoyable way to connect with others and stay up-to-date with current trends. However, when an interest in pop culture crosses the line into obsession, it can have negative consequences on an individual's mental health, personal relationships, and overall well-being. It is important to differentiate between being a 'fan' and 'obsessing' over them. It is essential to maintain a healthy balance in one's life and be mindful of the impact that celebrity culture can have on our perceptions and behaviours.
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