When the news broke that Zayn Malik left One Direction, I was in the middle of dance class. During a water break, everybody was chatting with one another and checking for missed text notifications when suddenly two girls audibly gasped in sync with one another. They ran to the bathroom and did not return for upwards of 20 minutes, leaving the rest of us utterly confused. The girls eventually made their way back and announced the gut-wrenching news to the group as tears streamed down their faces. It was at this very moment that I realized I wasn’t the boy band’s number one fan after all.
The dictionary definition of a fangirl is a girl or woman who is an extremely or overly enthusiastic fan of someone or something. It’s a tale as old as time, dating back to the era of indomitable celebrities such as the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Icons from a variety of entertainment genres continue to get swarmed by the female population’s love and admiration, proving themselves to be the backbone of their success. Women of all ages pride themselves on their commitment to the parasocial relationships they have formed with these artists, going long lengths to defend and support them throughout their careers. And by the looks of it, there is simply no end in sight.
Fangirls are powerful, there’s no doubt about it. Without them, stars in the limelight would most likely not be able to pursue their artistic dreams and influence our world like they do today. These are the people crashing Ticketmaster, aiding world tours to get sold out. They are the ones going to see a movie not because of the plot, but because Timothée Chalamet is in it. They are the viewers spiking the streaming numbers of Chiefs games because Taylor Swift might just be in the box. They are the buyers of movie and band posters that wind up covering every inch of teenage bedroom walls. In other words, fangirls make the world go round.
I myself am a self-proclaimed fangirl and love gushing about my favorite people and things in pop culture. When I was younger, I idolized Selena Gomez so much that I cut my own hair in hopes to replicate her hairdo in “Wizards of Waverly Place.” After rewatching “Dawson’s Creek” for the third time, I still stand by my decision to be Team Pacey over Team Dawson. There is even a Miles Teller poster carefully taped on the wall in my dorm by me and my roommates. I genuinely think Gracie Abrams and I would make good friends, and refer to Patrick Dempsey as my boyfriend even though he does not know of my existence and seems to be happily married. The culture of being a fan allows for community building and an outlet to express our identities in fun, lighthearted ways.
While I believe fangirls are a rather positive influence on our society, others seem to disagree. Urban Dictionary defines the word as a female fan, obsessed with something or someone to a frightening or sickening degree. The demeaning idea that fangirls are off the charts annoying is inaccurate, as it expresses the idea that if you are a woman, your opinions on certain topics are invalid. Sure, there are levels to fandoms, and some people are far more invested than others, but who is one to judge the way something means towards a complete stranger? Why is it that women are described in this manner while there are men hyperfixating on their own interests but no one makes a peep? How is a woman’s love for their favorite musician or actor different from a man’s love for fantasy football?
My intention is not to undermine men or their passions, as they are entitled to fanboying just as much as I am to fangirling; however, I do believe there is a double standard. Being a fan is an inevitable part of the human experience, especially in the era of the internet and all things hyper digital. I do not think fangirls are vapid or insane, but rather incredibly admirable, as they have a deep passion for art and the people who create it. They understand the impact these people have provided for their respective communities and the way they try to unify others through their works. Being an artist means speaking to the world in unique ways. Fangirls know how to celebrate this, whether it be through fan pages, edits, wearing merch and many other mediums. I think everybody can learn from them as they are not afraid to share their excitement to the world.
So to all the Swifties, Harries, Beliebers, Arianators and all other fandom members with or without a catchy group name, never underestimate the power you have as a fan. You are the unsung heroes of the biggest pop culture influences. Be proud of that!
Moira Quinn is a junior at Saint Mary’s College studying communication. When she isn’t writing for The Observer, she can be found with friends, watching a good romantic comedy or missing her basset hound.
Moira Quinn is a junior at Saint Mary's College studying communication. When she isn't writing for The Observer, she can be found with friends, watching a good romantic comedy or missing her basset hound.
