As a self-proclaimed pop culture enthusiast, I spend a lot of time listening to music, reading books, watching TV, and consuming all the information I can about my favorite celebrities. As I continued to consume media, I came to admire quite a few celebrities. If an artist makes good music, is charismatic, and brings some kind of empathy to their work, I’m hooked.
But almost every artist I’ve ever loved has done something unethical or immoral at some point in their career.
Despite the simple fact that celebrities sometimes do bad things, many fanbases condemn any criticism of their beloved artists. Taylor Swift fans, Kanye West fans, Nicki Minaj fans, to name a few, all have large fan bases that refuse to hold their favorite artists accountable and bully those who do. I am the representative of But since celebrities hold positions of immense power, why do fans take criticism of them personally?
When a famous character is attacked, it can feel like a threat to the fans who adore them. The use of celebrities to construct self-identities is rooted in online fandom culture, where people build connections based on what they consume.a report According to the National Library of Medicine, “People who lack a clear sense of self become obsessed with celebrities in order to gain a more complete identity.” This strange parasocial dynamic causes fans to defend celebrities as if they are extensions of themselves. However, refusing to criticize celebrities is extremely harmful.
All works are created in response to specific material conditions, including politics.
Idolizing celebrities to the point that they shouldn’t do bad things dehumanizes them and perpetuates a power structure that teaches the rich and famous that it’s okay to do questionable things. But no one is completely good or completely bad. By holding celebrities accountable, fans can encourage their beloved artists to own up to their actions and make a conscious effort to do better.
For example, during a wave of social activism over the past decade, comedy fans criticized many famous comedians for using old jokes to make fun of marginalized people.After facing backlash from viewers, multiple comedians effort Apologize and take responsibility for their offensive jokes. While criticism can sometimes lead to positive change, not all fans are willing to criticize their favorite celebrities.
Die-hard Taylor Swift fans (colloquially known as Swifties) are notorious for, among other things: reject criticism their beloved idol. As a Swift fan myself, I’ve watched many fellow fans jump to Swift’s defense when she comes under fire again for her high carbon footprint.
The media fuss surrounding Taylor Swift is ridiculous.
2022, sustainability marketing company yard It was reported that Swift is the number one celebrity polluting carbon dioxide through the use of private jets. According to the agency, at the time of the report’s release, Swift had accumulated 1,184.8 times the annual carbon dioxide emissions of the average person. Yard also said the shortest flight in 2022 was 36 minutes from Missouri to Nashville. Now, I love Swift and believe that her frequent use of private jets is in part an effort to keep her safe, secure, and committed to her time as a celebrity. We opted for the 36 minute flight rather than the travel time. It’s just plain stupid to drive across state lines when we’re so much more environmentally conscious.
Rather than admit that Swift should be held responsible for her own environmental pollution, many distract the audience From her emission by noting other celebrities who are doing the same. Sure, many wealthy celebrities will also take unnecessary trips on private jets, but this kind of rhetoric proves that we should criticize all celebrities who contribute to environmental pollution, including Swift. It’s just that.
It’s also important to note how the Swifties compete to protect global pop stars in the name of feminism. It’s true that critics have hurled waves of misogynistic accusations at Swift over the years. judgment About her dating life anger over her presence at a Kansas City Chiefs football game. Question About her overall success.But to say that all Criticism of her is inherently sexist and detrimental to feminism itself. As Swift said, maxim In 2015, if we said, “Feminism is probably the most important movement you can embrace, because it’s basically just another word for equality,” we’re in a position of power. Shouldn’t she be held accountable for her actions in the same way that she would be held responsible for any other public figure?
After all, the celebrities we love and adore aren’t perfect. If fans treat them as if they are untouchables, it only fosters a culture where the rich, famous, and privileged can do questionable things and get away with it. Promoting open criticism of celebrities can foster real social change and help shatter the power structures we all live in.
Erin Stafford (she/her) is a fourth year student studying Journalism with a minor in English.