Ke Alaka’i: The Podcast hosts discuss online communities, celebrity culture and when admiration can become unhealthy
Fandoms have become a major part of online culture, shaping how people interact with media, celebrities and one another. In the latest episode of Ke Alaka’i: The Podcast, hosts Julia Aunai, Alden Pua and Myco Marcaida examine fandom culture by discussing the formation of online communities, the development of parasocial relationships, and the distinction between healthy appreciation and obsessive behavior.
What fandom is
Pua cited The Library of the Future, which defines fandom as, “a community of people who are passionate about something.” The hosts reflected on the fandoms they belong to, from music to reality television, illustrating how the internet has made it easier than ever for people with similar interests to find one another.
The conversation shifted to what separates a fan from a regular consumer. While some fandoms place emphasis on knowledge or dedication, the hosts discussed whether there is a universal standard for being considered a “real fan.”
“I just think of gatekeepers, they're like ‘If you don't know exactly where Justin Bieber was born and the exact hospital in Canada, you're not a fan,’” Aunai said. Rather than judging a fan based on knowledge, Pua suggested fandom is more defined on intentionality and engagement. “It always depends on a person, how much they consume of the artist or things that they want out of the fandom,” Marcaida said.
Parasocial relationships and healthy boundaries
The hosts discussed when healthy fandoms can delve into a parasocial relationship. Harvard Health writes, “We are all exposed regularly to tiny details about celebrities and fictional characters. Watching their days unfold on social media or learning about them from a TV show or book. What hooks us is the emotional connection, especially if the person is exciting or compelling.”
Beyond entertainment, fandoms attract millions of people because they provide opportunities to build friendships, find communities and escape the pressures of everyday life, the hosts said. Marcaida described fandoms as a way to “pause from our realities,” explaining people often turn to music, television or books when they need a break from school, work or other pressures.
“I think it's great being part of communities and societies where you all have the same thing on your mind and you get joy out of that because it's already a cruel world out there,” Marcaida said.
To better define the difference between fans and superfans, the hosts discussed behaviors such as collecting merchandise, camping for concert tickets and defending celebrities online. They debated where healthy fandom crosses the line into toxic behavior.
Fan behavior can become idolatry when people begin viewing celebrities or artists as incapable of wrongdoing. The phrase "separate the art from the artist” often sparks debate depending on the nature of the artist’s actions.
Pua brought up author J.K. Rowling as an example. While she has faced controversy, her Harry Potter series continues to foster community among readers. “Look at her art, her products and the people who have genuinely taken that. [Her works have] made positive communities and positive outcomes from it,” Pua added.
The hosts said fandoms can sometimes become unhealthy, but when balanced, they can create meaningful connections, foster community and bring joy to a person’s life. Marcaida said one way to recognize imbalance is when it begins to affect daily life, such as academics, relationships or overall well-being, and added that seeking perspective from trusted friends can help individuals step back and evaluate their behavior.