The Detrimental Effects of Stan Culture
By: Amelia Cheng
Edited by: Anna Carmelita
Hailey Bieber vs. Selena Gomez
‘Are you Team Hailey Bieber or Selena Gomez?’
Just a few months ago, this question topped comment sections of online posts, was the headline of every article, and was repeatedly asked time and time again in interactions both online and offline. The faces of Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber seemed to be everywhere, as people discussed and speculated about the relationship between the three celebrities. There were long narratives pushed left and right to be entered into discussion, and online netizens debated endlessly about the situation.
Hailey Bieber is a renowned model and online influencer. She had officially tied the knot with popular singer Justin Bieber in September 2018. Selena Gomez is a singer, actress, producer, and businesswoman. However, not too long ago, Selena and Justin were dubbed one of America’s most beloved couples. Their tumultuous relationship’s history was made known time and time again to the general public, yet there was strong general support for the two. However, years later, why was the world suddenly engrossed with these three titular figures?
Across the years, Hailey and Selena were constantly rumored to have a feud, with main rumors circling around Hailey’s jealousy and bitterness towards Selena.
However, the main tipping point was triggered after Hailey was accused of making fun of Selena earlier this year. Selena had posted a TikTok joking about how she had accidentally over-laminated her eyebrows. A few hours later, Hailey posted a screenshot to Instagram of her face-timing Kylie Jenner with close-ups of their eyebrows. This left netizen enraged as they perceived it as them mocking Selena.
From here, the drama continued and got significantly blown out of proportion.
Introduction to ‘Stan Culture’
‘Stan culture’ is dubbed an internet phenomenon, derived from the pejorative ‘stan’ that was coined by Eminem in his 2000 song. The word ‘stan’ combines the words ‘stalker’ and ‘fan’. The music video and lyrics featured the titular character playing an obsessed fan that ended up killing himself and his girlfriend. Thus, this was the main negative connotation of the word. However, it has since evolved to mean a devoted fan with an interest past average. Regardless, stan culture has been consistently regarded as something unhealthy and toxic.
However, how was ‘stan culture’ born?
This was a result of perpetuating a parasocial relationship between a public figure and their fans through increased oversharing on the media, and overexposure to the online world.
As compared to now versus then, we now have more access and are able to know essentially everything about someone online. Thus, fans naturally feel a sense of closeness to these celebrities and grow a strong attachment. In addition, as times evolve, we become appallingly chronically online. Overexposed to the media’s ongoing, we are able to get hooked on something that could be happening at the other side of the world, be it a positive or negative event. This causes us to get stuck online, reading post after post and opinion after opinion.
All in all, it is generally agreed upon that the success of entertainers rely on the strength of and attachment from their fan base, as well as their overall public perception.
Our Obsession with Celebrities
In the course of human history, our obsession with celebrities have skyrocketed specifically in the last few decades. However, research studies suggest that it’s perfectly natural for this to occur.
A research study says: ‘Evolutionary biologists say that it is natural for humans to look up to individuals who receive attention because they have succeeded in society. In prehistoric times, this would have meant respecting good hunters and elders. But as hunting is not now an essential skill and longevity is more widely achievable, these qualities are no longer revered. Instead, we look to celebrities, whose fame and fortune we want to emulate.’
We are able to project our personal opinions, judgements, and values onto these public figures as we comment on their actions and urge decisions for them. With the opportunity to gain privy into their personal lives, we watch their every move. The entertainment industry and the unreachable glamour of their lives creates a sense that their life is far from reality. Instead, they are figureheads in a metamorphosed ‘game of life’ board that we can comfortably watch behind a screen.
Therefore, our obsession and immense interest in the lives of celebrities is due to a desire to be them, and be entertained by them.
Effects of ‘Stan Culture’
When the drama between Hailey and Selena spilled onto our screens, there was an almost instantaneous rallying of support for Selena.
The adoration of the star is due to a myriad of reasons. For one, she had been constantly active in helping out different communities across the years. An instance was when she was appointed as an UNICEF ambassador in 2009, participating in countless campaigns, events, and initiatives. Secondly, she had grown up in the public eye. Selena had begun her involvement within the Hollywood industry and media at a young age. She first broke into the scene by appearing in ‘Barney & Friends’ from 2002 to 2004. From there, she signed a contract with Disney, and quickly landed her first lead role as the beloved ‘Alex Russo’ in the hit series ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’. This was her breakout role that brought her mainstream fame. Progressing past this, her career skyrocketed. Not only clinching awards left and right for her acting, she signed a record deal with Hollywood Records where she then formed her pop rock band ‘Selena Gomez & The Scene’ that released chart-topping songs. Just from her early years in her career, Selena Gomez managed to win the hearts of many. She became a cultural icon and role model for people everywhere.
Therefore, the immediate defense of the celebrity was from a place of reverence and emotional attachment. Selena had cultivated a reputation for being an inspirational philanthropist that garnered praise and gained general loyalty from the public across the years.
On the other hand, Hailey Bieber (born Hailey Baldwin) was a model that only broke into the scene less than a decade ago. Not long after that, she married Justin Bieber. Thus, there is little to no attachment from the public towards Hailey.
With the strong attachment felt towards Selena, it comes as no surprise that fans jumped to her defense upon detecting the slightest attack. However, this meant that there was immense hatred and negativity towards Hailey. Information about Hailey from her youth were dug up and analyzed or mocked by netizens, claiming that she was insanely jealous and had constantly been this way. She became the main antagonist whilst Selena was perceived as the victim.
The main conflict finally ended when Selena posted an Instagram story sharing that Hailey had been receiving death threats. She condemned this behavior and urged the public to stop.
This extremist behavior is seen as true of ‘stan culture’, time and time again. With the attachment fans have towards a celebrity, they feel a need to defend and protect. However, this causes netizens to lash out at the other party, in spite of not knowing the full story. Mindless hate can spitball into an avalanche of toxicity and false narratives.
However, this is not to say that ‘stan culture’ only births negativity and toxicity. It can be the creation of a strong community and a celebration of common interests. For example, it is a common activity for KPOP fans to put together in-person ‘fancafe events’ to celebrate the birthday of a KPOP idol or a group’s debut anniversary. These are great opportunities for them to band together and meet like-minded people that could bond over that topic of interest.
Although we can easily get swept up in different narratives within the internet, we have to learn to draw the line between reality and conspiracy. Behind each screen is a living human with a beating heart and an ability to get seriously hurt. Like Hailey Bieber urged, we have to be more thoughtful about what we post on social media, and like Selena Gomez always emphasises, we have to treat others with kindness.