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Cambridge Dictionary has named ‘parasocial’ as its word of the year for 2025.
Coined in 1956 by sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl, the word was initially used to describe television viewers who formed one-sided relationships with TV personalities.
In recent years, the term has had a resurgence, often associated with pop music fans who are overly familiar with artists with whom they have no personal connection.
Cambridge Dictionary specifically cited fans of Taylor Swift, who announced her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce this year, prompting an emotional reaction from some fans.
Last year, Chappell Roan made headlines for calling out “weird” and “creepy” followers, and calling out the “predatory behaviour” of so-called “superfans” that includes “nonconsensual physical and social interactions”.
The former NME Cover star also expressed wanting to “[pump] the brakes” on her career after fans gave off “stalker vibes”, and compared fame to “an abusive ex-husband”, again calling out fans for “stalking, talking shit online, [people who] won’t leave you alone, yelling at you in public.” She added: “I didn’t know it would feel this bad.”
@chappellroan Do not assume this is directed at someone or a specific encounter. This is just my side of the story and my feelings.
Her remarks earned her praise from Paramore‘s Hayley Williams, who took to Instagram to say the pop star was “brave”, as well as celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Stevie Nicks, Rachel Zegler, and Daniel Craig, the latter saying he admires “the guts to say those things”. Olivia Rodrigo also revealed that Roan has been a key support figure in helping her deal with an “overwhelming” entertainment industry.
As well as Roan, a host of other artists have come forward about parasocial behaviour from fans, including Madison Beer, who asked her fans to stop requesting photos in her hotel, and Charli XCX, who took a strong stance against fans who shouted “Taylor Swift is dead” at her shows, in line with a ‘beef’ that they had speculated from her ‘Brat’ track, ‘Sympathy Is A Knife’.
MUNA also called out the “truly scary” behaviour of some of their fanbase last year, including: “Cyberstalking, hackings, bullying other fans & our loved ones, plus spreading falsehoods about us and our loved ones for clout and attention online has been going on for months and we have to address it now for our own safety and peace of mind.”
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