Art is often created to be enjoyed by the public, and controversy in the creative industry is nothing new, but the question is how far do they have to go before a line is drawn? Fan culture is a community that’s built on a shared passion for a certain artist, movie, or show. The problem arises when their favorites do something bad and they decide to not hold them accountable. This startling recurrence in fans causes one to wonder why someone would defend a bad person.
A major reason lies in the phenomenon that is parasocial relationships. An easy way to identify these is to look at either K-pop fandoms or swifties who claim to have a “close” relationship with the artist. These one-sided emotional bonds make fans feel personally connected to celebrities who don’t know them, and as a result, criticism of an artist can feel like a personal attack, leading fans to excuse or minimize harmful actions. Kanye West is a big example of such behavior with his fans often making excuses for his anti-semitistic behavior, pro-nazi remarks, and anti-black comments.
People who are fans of music whose creator isn’t a good person may claim that listening to their music doesn’t mean support, but in actuality it does financially. Continuing to buy albums or merchandise from that person still puts money in their pockets, supporting them and their lifestyle. Possibly signaling to them that their behavior is okay and can diminish a victim. Cancel culture seems to have a shorter lifespan when applied to popular icons in the entertainment industry than smaller individuals who get teared apart. While some celebrities offer a minimal, often performative, apology on social media others have an already built in damage control team that ensures they don’t lift a finger to right their wrong.
Queue the Kardashians who represent a unique case where their name alone is a powerful economy, rendering them untouchable to scandal. The family has a slew of infamous controversies and flops, yet, they remain on top of the pop culture pedestal. Why do they get a “free pass” to make poor choices and remain so highly regarded by fans? First and foremost, the Kardashians are powerful business women whose personal empires (i.e Skims, Kylie Cosmetics, Good American) and influencer power keep them relevant. That being said, for them bad press isn’t bad press, but rather an opportunity to take control of the narrative and normalize their behavior.
All in all, just because certain individuals’ music, shows, or movies are good, it doesn’t mean that they should get a pass to do bad things because they’re good at what they do. People should be judged and held accountable for their actions, not held in high regard for making a good product or piece of media. These celebrities are just regular people who are capable of both good and bad things. If Hollywood or the industry that they’re in won’t make them face the consequences of their deeds, the consumer should, as they are the ones who place them at the top. The persona most fall in love with is just that, a persona that the artist creates to become more likable. However, do people want to separate the art from the artist so they don’t feel guilty for consuming their art when they know they’ve done bad things? Remember, celebrities are people just like you who can do good and bad, whether one supports them or not is their own choice.
