Introduction
In the article Fandom Is Out of Control by Lindsay Crouse (2022), the author states the highest level of worship towards celebrities from the side of their fans and discusses the negative consequences regarding this issue. In particular, Lindsay explores the situation concerning Johny Depp’s and Amber Heard’s court and the fans supporting Depp outstandingly. The author concluded that fans’ worship and interest in celebrities, in particular, is increasingly dangerous and can harm society.
This essay will present the argument, which will continue Lindsay’s thoughts. The argument is that the loss of control of fandom will continue increasing and that celebrities do not have the opportunity to change it or slow down. The loss of control of fandom is caused not only by celebrities’ images on screens but also by the fans’ behavior when celebrities are outside the screens.
The Creation of Images on Screen
The initial and most significant reason for the increase in fans’ admiration for celebrities is creating a specific influential image on the screens. It is important to stress that when it comes to films, the whole crew is focused on the image of the actors. An example of the HBO Game of Thrones series can be cited. It is vital to consider one of the series’ main characters, Arya Stark, played by British actress Maisie Williams.
The result will be a conclusion that hundreds of professionals create the image of one character. Among them are directors and screenwriters, editors, graphic designers, costume designers, make-up artists, stunt performers, decorators, visualizers, composers, and a vast number of other people. They are working on the definite goal of creating fiction embodied by the actor.
An example is Johny Depp, explored in the article, The Pirates of the Caribbean (Crouse, 2022). As a result, fans perceive actors or celebrities of other professions as the embodiment of what they see on the screens. Due to growing technological progress and the quality of cinema in general, actors become real superheroes in real life.
The Creation of Images Besides the Screen
However, the universality of creating images of celebrities, and, consequently, fanaticism, is the continuation of the image on the screen to outside the screen. One can consider Lady Gaga in the film Star is Born as evidence. The creation of the image of a superhero on screen was due to factors listed in the previous paragraph. However, for example, at the Oscar Awards, Gaga not only did not give the standard speech but, dressed in fashion brand clothes picked up by the best fashion designers, performed the song in light of spotlights. As a result, fans see that this actor or singer represents something unique in real life, and the image of a superhero continues.
As Crouse (2022) states, “worship syndrome, in which preoccupation with a public figure veers into an obsession” (p. 2). Noteworthy, this situation will only strengthen the phenomenon of fandom every year. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that celebrities do not even have a choice regarding their image, as its creation requires their profession.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to stress that Lindsay Crouse discusses a critical problem of modern society, expressed by various factors of technological progress and the development of the entertainment field. Celebrities are in such a position that many resources aim to create their spectacular image. As a result, their superpowers become real, and fans chase them. Hence, considering the fans’ obsession with celebrities, it is a harmful but logical process that results from many professionals’ work.
Reference
Crouse, L. (2022). Fandom is out of control. New York Times.