This summer witnessed a notable shift in pop culture as musicians began to confront their fans over inappropriate behaviors. Chappell Roan, a rising star at just 26 years old, led the charge. In a revealing Instagram post, she shared her experiences with "too many nonconsensual physical and social interactions" from fans, which included harassment directed at her loved ones. One incident involved a fan who grabbed and kissed her at a bar. Roan stated, "I do not accept harassment of any kind because I chose this path, nor do I deserve it."
Roan isn't the only artist to voice concerns. Over the past year, Halsey criticized her "mean" fanbase in a now-deleted Tumblr post, while the band Muna called out certain fans for bullying and cyberstalking. Doja Cat referred to fans who attempted to adopt a collective name, similar to Lady Gaga's "Little Monsters," as "creepy as fuck." Even Taylor Swift, who has long enjoyed a close relationship with her fanbase, addressed problematic fan behavior on her album The Tortured Poets Department. This indicates a growing trend of artists pushing back against intrusive fan culture.
Dr. Lucy Bennett, a journalism, media, and culture lecturer at Cardiff University, explains, "The relationship between fans and artists is a balance of power that can shift in various ways."
Fandom is often deeply emotional, providing fans with a sense of belonging. Social media enhances this connection by facilitating direct interaction with artists. However, Dr. Bennett points out that this can lead to challenges when fans feel compelled to forge a personal relationship, especially when artists are inundated with followers. "For those who remain unnoticed, what feelings arise? What lengths might some fans go to gain attention?" she questions.
Tegan Quin, one half of the duo Tegan and Sara, offers valuable insights from her 25-plus years in the music industry. Initially, the duo built a close-knit fan community through message boards and blogs, often spending time with fans after shows. "From the start, I understood our band had a significant impact on people, creating a safe space within our audience," Tegan reflects. "That awareness brought me great joy." However, as their popularity grew, encounters turned more physical, with fans sometimes crossing boundaries.
In 2011, Tegan experienced a shocking incident when she discovered someone was impersonating her online. This individual hacked into the band's email and manager's computer, using sensitive information—including details about Tegan's mother's cancer diagnosis—to deceive fans and create intimate online relationships. The band only learned of this after fans approached them, confused by their interactions with the impersonator. "At that time, we didn't even have the term 'catfishing,'" she recalls. "It was surreal, especially since this impersonator had created email accounts for my girlfriend, best friend, and manager. It was bizarre."
Tegan has since produced a documentary titled Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara, blending elements of true crime with a critical look at modern fan culture. "We exist in a culture where people feel entitled to others' private lives, and sharing personal stories is often encouraged," she notes. "This intimacy can lead fans to develop a false sense of ownership."
Dr. Bennett emphasizes that this sense of entitlement can disrupt the balance between fans and artists. "There is clear tension between online and offline behavior, where parasocial relationships—a sense of knowing someone personally—can spill over into real life, prompting inappropriate actions from some fans."
Singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine has also faced uncomfortable situations, including being grabbed in public and receiving letters sent to her parents' home. While she generally finds in-person encounters to be kind and meaningful, she identifies the internet as a more significant issue, particularly after her song Ceilings gained popularity on TikTok. "People started making assumptions about my life and telling me how I should behave," she shares.
In 2023, when it was announced that McAlpine would be supporting John Mayer on tour, she faced backlash from certain Taylor Swift fans. Their outrage stemmed from Swift's previous relationship with Mayer, leading to death threats directed at McAlpine. The experience was terrifying for her. "I hated it," she admits. "They were so cruel to me. It was honestly shocking." Ultimately, McAlpine decided to withdraw from the tour, citing a last-minute scheduling conflict.