Fan Favorites: The Nature of Parasocial Relationships

Many people have found themselves with a celebrity crush at some point in their lives. Maybe you had posters on your wall, waited by the mailbox for a fan club letter or lined up at a convention hoping for a quick autograph and a photo. Being a fan can be fun, harmless and even a little thrilling, but sometimes admiration grows into something a little more complicated: what psychologists call a parasocial relationship. A parasocial relationship is a one-sided psychological bond where someone invests emotional energy, time and attention into a media figure — such as a celebrity or an online influencer — who is completely unaware that person exists. Unlike a traditional friendship or relationship, there's no real interaction happening. One person feels a connection; the other person doesn't know it's there. At first glance, it can be difficult to tell the difference between being a devoted fan and having a parasocial relationship. We spend countless hours watching television, scrolling through social media and streaming videos. Naturally, our brains gravitate toward people we enjoy watching. When someone makes us laugh, inspires us or comforts us during a tough day, it's easy to develop warm feelings toward them. Social media has only intensified this phenomenon. If you follow your favorite celebrity or influencer online, it's incredibly easy to keep track of their lives. You might know what they eat for breakfast, where they travel and what struggles they're facing. Their posts appear in your feed daily, often accompanied by photos and personalized captions. Over time, it can start to feel as if you truly know them. Day after day, that sense of familiarity grows. Even though the relationship isn't mutual, the constant updates and personal glimpses can create the illusion of closeness. A person might begin to feel like they're cheering on a friend when the celebrity succeeds or feeling genuinely disappointed when something goes wrong in that person's life. The term "parasocial relationship" was first introduced in 1965 by psychologists Donald Horton and R. Richard Wohl. At the time, they were studying how television viewers connected with on-screen personalities. Even in the early days of TV, audiences felt like they "knew" the hosts and actors they watched regularly. Since then, the concept has evolved dramatically. Today's media landscape includes YouTube creators, Twitch streamers, podcasters and TikTok influencers who often speak directly to their audiences. Many of them share personal stories, respond to comments and present themselves in a casual, relatable way. This direct style of communication can make viewers feel even more connected — almost as if they're part of an ongoing conversation. Someone experiencing a parasocial relationship might feel genuine friendship, loyalty or emotional attachment to a public figure. In moderation, these feelings are extremely common. But this raises an important question: Are parasocial relationships actually harmful? In some cases, they can become unhealthy. One often-cited example is John Hinckley Jr., who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981 because he was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster and believed the act would impress her. However, it's important to note that Hinckley was also dealing with serious mental health issues, and his actions represent an extreme and very rare situation. For most people, parasocial relationships are not dangerous at all. According to contemporary research highlighted by Psychology Today, psychologists now recognize that these connections are very common and usually harmless. In fact, they can sometimes provide comfort, inspiration or a sense of belonging — especially when people connect with creators who share similar experiences or values. Problems tend to arise only when the relationship becomes all-consuming. If someone spends excessive time tracking a celebrity's life, neglects real-world responsibilities, or begins replacing real friendships with online fixation, it can blur the line between entertainment and reality. Like many things in life, it ultimately comes down to balance. Enjoying a favorite actor, musician, or creator is a normal part of life in this day and age. Admiring their work, following their updates, and even feeling emotionally invested in their stories can be part of the fun of being a fan.