Understanding Stan Culture: Its Impact and Potential Dangers

By:  Samantha Kabiling | Seasonal Public Relations Intern | Digital4Good

We’re all fans of something — but what does it mean to “stan” something or someone? 

The term originates from Eminem’s song “Stan,” which tells the story of a fictional fan whose obsession with the rapper takes a dangerous turn. Today, “stan” is used to describe the extreme devotion of overzealous fans to a celebrity, media personality, or fictional character. Most people who are active on social media will experience stan culture at least once, whether as a direct participant or observer. 

Let’s dive into the significance of stan culture in the digital age and explore ways to safely and healthily engage with fandoms.

Terms To Know

Before going deeper, it’s crucial to understand some key terms associated with stan culture.

Fandom

A collective term for the fans of a particular person, team, fictional series, etc. Fandoms create communities where like-minded individuals can share their passion and enthusiasm.

Stans

Members of a fandom who fervently and blindly support their chosen celebrity or team, often demonizing or reviling anyone or anything opposed to, or not sufficiently devoted to, the object of their worship.

Parasocial Relationship

A one-sided emotional connection that people form with someone they don’t know. These relationships can lead to unhealthy dependencies and unrealistic expectations.

The Dangers of Parasocial Relationships

As defined in the previous section, a parasocial relationship is one-sided; it is often formed between fans and their favorite celebrity, influencer, or fictional character. Stans in a parasocial relationship will often speak about a celebrity as if they know them, experience an unhealthy dependency on that individual, and may even attempt to track the individual’s location.

No matter how much personal information a celebrity shares about themselves on social media or in interviews, most fans cannot claim to truly know that celebrity. Even reality shows like The Kardashians that give viewers a closer look at celebrities’ personal lives can’t show you the full picture of how they act off-camera. However, being a fan of someone is not an issue in itself. 

You can still engage with celebrities by following their public social media pages, watching their shows or concerts, and going to conventions. As you engage, it is important to maintain a safe, respectful boundary, as a celebrity is ultimately still a stranger to you.

Recent Examples of “Standom”

Unfortunately, there have been many recent cases of stans crossing that boundary with their favorite celebrity or franchise.

Marvel's She-Hulk Backlash

When Marvel Studios released She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) stans openly complained about the cameo of rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the series.

Antonia Gentry's Experience

Antonia Gentry, who stars as Ginny in the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia, received a slew of racist comments from Taylor Swift stans for saying a scripted joke on the show about Taylor having too many boyfriends.

Chappell Roan's Stand

After being stalked and harassed by stans, singer Chappell Roan spoke up to establish a boundary between her professional and personal lives. She was adamant that fans should call her by her stage name, Chappell Roan, rather than her legal name. This caused an uproar among fans and non-fans alike, but Hayley Williams, the frontwoman of Paramore, supported Chappell and praised her for speaking up.

The above examples only scratch the surface of how extreme stan culture can be. Many celebrities and influencers deal with harassment and stalking on a daily basis. So, what can we do as fans to counter the harmful effects of stan culture and navigate fandoms safely?

Navigating Fan Culture

There’s no harm in joining fandoms and interacting with people who share your interests. As you navigate fandom spaces, keep the following pointers in mind:

Respectful Engagement

It’s okay to have different opinions than other fans. A variety of viewpoints can even lead to interesting conversations, as long as each person is respectful and keeps an open mind.

Importance of Boundaries

Boundaries are important. Recognize that celebrities have personal lives separate from their professional ones. Be mindful and respectful when interacting with public figures’ social media posts.

Handling Online Attacks

If you are on the receiving end of online attacks, block and report the users. If your safety is compromised or threatened in any way, do not hesitate to contact authorities and seek support from trusted loved ones.

Communication Clarity

When sending or receiving messages, remember that it is difficult to convey tone online. Clarify the true intentions of an ambiguous message.

Key Takeaway

We can all adore our favorite influencers and celebrities, but we must take care to do so in a respectful manner. It’s important to remind ourselves and others that celebrities are only human, just like us.

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