By McKenna Preadmore
In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s easy to feel as if you know someone you’ve never met — especially if that someone is famous with an online presence. Whether it’s the TikTok influencer whose vlogs you watch daily, the podcast host always in your ear or the Twitch star whose livestreams you never miss, many are forming parasocial relationships. These are one-sided relationships where individuals feel a deep connection to a public figure who does not know they exist.
When an influencer shares their #OOTD (outfit of the day), candid thoughts or even their grocery haul, it’s easy to think you’re getting to know them on a personal level. You laugh at their jokes, relate to their struggles and even find yourself adopting their style. This person becomes a friend who’s always there but never asks for anything from you in return. Parasocial relationships can form through everyday online interactions such as comments, likes, live streams, etc.
Many people neglect to recognize just how curated these famous online personas are. What we’re shown is a heavily edited, filtered version of their lives with the purpose of engaging with and holding our attention. Influencers and public figures are not necessarily deceiving their audience, but they only show the parts of themselves they want the world to see. This concept can lead to a distorted sense of closeness, making fans feel more connected to their favorite public figures than they really are.
As it turns out, this phenomenon is not new. Parasocial relationships with well-known people have existed for decades, think of Michael Jackson, Britany Spears or Selena Quintanilla Perez. However, the internet has taken the concept to a new level.
Today you can interact with your favorite celebrities in real time through likes, comments and direct messages. The interactive elements of social media applications such as TikTok and Instagram have blurred the line between fan and friend by making these connections online feel genuine.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with consuming and enjoying the content of your favorite TikToker, podcaster, popstar or YouTuber, but it’s vital to take into consideration the reality of the relationship. These influencers and famous individuals don’t know you, they don’t owe you anything and your relationship with them is not reciprocal. Understanding parasocial relationships can help you appreciate the content for what it is; purely entertainment.The rise of parasocial relationships is an intriguing result of the digital age we are currently in. The concept is still developing and navigating the new dynamics of online entertainment might always be tricky. But your real relationships are with the ones who know you exist — foster a pair-a-social relationship with them!