Psychologists in the U.S. explain what happens in the brains of the most passionate fans.
The culture of intense fandom has persisted across generations, from The Beatles to today’s biggest stars like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. To clarify the reasons behind this “adoration” of celebrities, psychologist Yamalis Diaz has analyzed and examined closely what occurs in the brain of a person when they passionately admire stars.
How Love and Celebrity “Worship” Are Formed
Singer Taylor Swift. (Photo: Getty Images)
The psychologist states that teenagers are in a “very sensitive” developmental phase. This stage is also when their identities are formed, which is why attachment to influential figures, beautiful celebrities, and those living in the limelight comes quite naturally.
“Basically, teenagers value and support these celebrities in a way that they wish others would perceive them“, Dr. Diaz shares, “They may want to be like these celebrities or simply want to love them because they find them amazing.”
Dr. Diaz continues with an example of Taylor Swift. The singer has garnered immense support from fans worldwide by creating a “relatable” image through her advocacy for the underprivileged and consistently showing her “true self.”
Dr. Diaz then emphasizes the impact of social media. Today’s fans have greater access to the private lives of their idols through these platforms. They feel they understand the true essence of their idols more. “That’s why we are witnessing a greater prevalence of ‘worship’,” she asserts.
“Teenagers value and support these celebrities in a way that they wish others would perceive them.”
With continuous glimpses of their idols from the limelight and behind the scenes (through social media photos), fans feel they have a right to “access” their idols more. At this point, the “happiness hormone” in the brain, such as dopamine, is continuously released and reinforced.
“Dopamine also plays a role in why teenagers idolize certain celebrities. Their brains automatically release this happiness hormone every time they receive new information, watch a new video, or see a new post… from their idol,” the doctor explains.
Singer Rihanna. (Photo: Us Weekly)
According to the doctor, celebrities and their managers are well aware of this “addictive behavior.” This is also one reason why celebrities frequently post on social media. If a celebrity disappears for too long and does not allow fans to connect with them, dopamine will gradually deplete.
Explaining the “Post-Concert Depression” Phenomenon
Dr. Diaz continues to explain the chemical substances released in the brain when people fall in love, including dopamine, oxytocin (known as the “cuddle hormone”), and adrenaline. While dopamine is instantly produced when someone sees something exciting, adrenaline also plays an emotional role for fans. For example, when attending their idol’s concert, adrenaline surges but immediately drops after it ends. This phenomenon is called “post-concert depression.”
“As soon as you hear about your idol’s concert, dopamine and adrenaline start to flood in. Then you get your tickets, plan for the show, and then… it ends. Therefore, your brain begins to deactivate dopamine and adrenaline, leading to post-concert collapse,” the doctor further explains.
Band Black Pink. (Photo: Getty Images).
Thanks to the dopamine and adrenaline released during performances, many concert attendees easily become fans of the artist due to the entertainment and excitement they bring to the brain. This chemical can affect all concertgoers of all ages, especially during performances that evoke a sense of “nostalgia.” This is similar to many audience members reminiscing about their past experiences during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
“Music has the ability to take you back to a time, a moment, or an experience in the past,” Diaz continues, “Thus, stars like Taylor Swift or any major artist who has been in the industry for a long time can resonate across generations.”
The Dark Side of Celebrity “Worship”
For teenagers, having a crush on a celebrity can be their first exploration of romantic feelings or attraction to another person. This is generally considered a healthy part of development.
However, an obsession with a celebrity can become inappropriate if it consumes too much energy. According to the mental health website Psych Central, this obsession can turn into “celebrity worship syndrome” or “addiction obsessive disorder.”
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), this condition is not clinically recognized, but mental health professionals still believe it can be concerning.
Singer Harry Styles. (Photo: Vancouver).
“The normal boundary” is crossed when a fan spends hours consuming content about a celebrity, hindering their ability to connect with people in everyday life.
“As clinical mental health doctors, we become very concerned if the image they have in their mind of what is perfect or beautiful truly affects how they feel about themselves. They may start comparing themselves, constantly looking at their idol to find their own flaws,” the psychologist warns.
With this concerning situation, the expert encourages parents of teenagers to pay more attention and be more involved with their children through how they interact on social media and engage with their idols.
