Why Do Fan-Artist Relationships Turn Toxic and What Can Be Done?

After weeks of climbing the charts and drawing groundbreaking crowds to her performances, Chappell Roan decided she needed to address a pressing issue.

Addressing her audience of over 3 million followers in a series of TikTok videos, the “Pink Pony Club” singer spoke directly into her camera, breaking away from the usual artist-to-fan dynamics to lay it all out. “I don’t care that abuse and harassment, stalking, whatever, is a normal thing to do to people who are famous or a little famous,” she said, her voice breaking. “I don’t give a f–k if you think it’s selfish of me to say no for a photo, or for your time, or for a hug. That’s not normal, that’s weird. It’s weird how people think that you know a person just because you see them online.”

While Roan disabled comments on her videos, it didn’t stop the discussion from spreading across X, TikTok, and Instagram. Many messages were supportive, applauding her for setting boundaries. However, some comments mirrored the very behavior she was addressing. Critics claimed she wasn’t “cut out” for pop stardom or argued that pop stars must “sacrifice” personal privacy. Others suggested she should be “more open” to interactions with fans in public.

This debate raises a crucial question: When does genuine appreciation for an artist morph into inappropriate behavior?

Nick Bobetsky, Roan’s manager, summed it up in a call with Billboard: “It’s about artists setting boundaries. The majority of fans respect those boundaries, but some just don’t. And it’s not just about fans — it’s about human boundaries.”

Artist manager Kristina Russo felt a sense of relief when she read Roan’s statement. Working with pop singer-songwriter GAYLE since she was 14, Russo has always faced the challenge of preparing her client for inappropriate fan behavior. “Seeing [Chappell] talk about this made me feel like we were on the right path,” she said.

But why do some fans feel an overwhelming need to be close to an artist? Dr. Gayle Stever, an associate professor of psychology at Empire State University, provides some insight. She shared the story of a fan with stage four cancer who listened to Josh Groban during chemotherapy for solace. This phenomenon, where someone forms a one-sided relationship with a celebrity, is known as a “parasocial attachment.”

Parasocial relationships are a natural aspect of human behavior, Stever says. “As humans, we are biologically hard-wired to create connections with people from infancy.”

This concept isn’t new in the music industry. From Beatlemania to the fervent fan bases of today’s stars like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince, history shows we’ve always had intense fan-celebrity relationships. Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture, notes that this phenomenon dates back to the Roman Empire with gladiators. “As long as we’ve had people performing, we have had relationships with those performers,” he says.

So why does it feel like boundary-crossing fan behavior has reached a fever pitch? One factor is the internet, which has fundamentally changed how fans and artists interact. Ryan Star, recording artist and CEO of social-audio platform Stationhead, says the internet has intensified the personal connection between fans and artists. “Social [media] became everything, where music was almost secondary to it,” he says.

Bobetsky agrees, noting that social media heightens the personal connection fans feel. “That’s an amazing part of modern culture, but it feels new to have a personal connection with fans broadcast at the broadest potential level.”

Colette Patnaude Nelson, a manager for artists like Conan Gray and J. Maya, observes how social media has intensified fan-artist interactions. “I started my career representing YouTubers and I’ve watched it deepen,” she says.

While fan dynamics have remained largely unchanged, the internet has removed most barriers for entry. Fans can now access each other and their idols 24/7, organizing without any payment or formal membership. This has concentrated the power of fan bases, leading them to compete with each other. “Nowadays, there’s a sense that expressing fandom includes protecting and defending your territory,” says Thompson.

Ryan Star created Stationhead to build communities rather than foster tribalism. Fans join channels to stream music together, sometimes even with the artists themselves, creating healthier online dynamics. “Joining that without being a fan would be like going to a concert for someone you didn’t like,” he explains.

However, as Roan highlighted in a follow-up Instagram post, prioritizing artists’ safety is also crucial. “Women do not owe you a reason why they don’t want to be touched or talked to,” she wrote, emphasizing predatory behavior disguised as fandom.

Despite ongoing issues, some industry professionals believe artists should remain silent about unwanted interactions. An anonymous artist manager described Roan’s comments as “a thought best kept in her head,” warning that it might alienate fans.

Russo strongly disagrees, arguing that discussing these issues is essential for change. “The only way to change things is to talk about them. If somebody is telling you how to treat them, listen,” she says.

So what can be done to help artists dealing with inappropriate fan behavior? Stever suggests avoiding generalizations about all fans, as most are appalled by such behavior. Bobetsky points out that industry-wide solutions are unlikely because different artists have different priorities.

Patnaude Nelson suggests normalizing artists saying “no” to specific opportunities, like meet-and-greets. “We can’t control fans, but we can support our artists and listen to them,” she says.

Russo dreams of eliminating barriers for artists to access mental health professionals. “My dream is to have a psychologist on the road,” she says.

Bobetsky emphasizes that real change must start with fans. “As superhuman as your favorite artist may seem, they are a person and deserve boundaries. Behave in a way you’d want someone to behave around you,” he advises.