Imagine following someone’s car through crowded streets just to catch a glimpse of them. 
It sounds unbelievable. 
Yet during the height of actor Rajesh Khanna’s popularity, fans reportedly chased his car, leaving lipstick marks and messages whenever he went. Decades later, thousands still gather outside Shah Rukh Khan’s residence every year, hoping for a brief wave from a balcony. 
The phenomenon is not limited to India. 
Fans travel across countries to attend Taylor Swift concerts. BTS Army communities organise charity drives and social campaigns. Cricket supporters celebrate victories as though they personally stepped onto the field. 
At first glance, it may look like admiration taken too far. 
But what if fandom is about something much deeper? 

What if it reveals how human beings build trust, a sense of belonging, and identity? 

 
Why Familiarity Feels Like Trust 
Think about a public figure you have followed for years. Perhaps you have watched their films, listened to their music, or celebrated their achievements. 
Now imagine someone criticising them unfairly. Would you feel completely indifferent? 

Probably not. 
That reaction highlights something fascinating about human psychology. 
The more often we encounter someone, the more familiar they become. Psychologists refer to this as the mere exposure effect. For example, hearing a song on the radio repeatedly—even if you did not like it at first—can make it feel enjoyable and familiar over time. Similarly, seeing a celebrity's face often in movies, advertisements, or on social media gradually creates a sense of comfort and familiarity, even when there is no personal relationship. 
Over time, a celebrity, athlete, or artist can become a familiar presence in our lives. 
And familiarity often becomes the foundation of trust. 
Not because we truly know them, but because they no longer feel like strangers. 

 
The Power Of One-Sided Relationships 
Have you ever felt proud when a celebrity received an award? Or disappointed when an athlete you admire had a bad performance? 
If so, you have experienced something psychologists call a parasocial relationship. For example, feeling emotionally invested in a TV host you watch every evening, or cheering for a YouTuber's success as if they were a friend, are common forms of this one-sided connection. 
A parasocial relationship is a one-sided emotional bond with a public figure. The person may not know us personally, yet the connection can feel real. 
Social media has made these relationships even stronger. 
Fans no longer see public figures only through films, interviews, or television appearances. They see behind-the-scenes moments, personal updates, livestreams, and everyday interactions. 
The distance feels smaller.  
As a result, many people begin to feel emotionally connected to someone they have never actually met. 
The relationship may be one-sided. 
The emotions often are not. 

 
When Fandom Becomes Part Of Who We Are 
However, familiarity and emotional connection alone cannot explain why some fandoms become so powerful. To understand that, we need to talk about identity. 
Consider cricket. 
When India plays an important match, many fans experience every ball emotionally. A wicket changes the mood of the room. A victory sparks celebrations among strangers. 
Why does it feel so personal? 
Because the team often becomes part of a shared identity. 
According to Social Identity Theory, people define themselves not only as individuals but also through the groups they belong to. 

 

Family. Culture. Religion. Sports teams. Fan communities

These groups become part of how we see ourselves. 
At some point, the language shifts. It stops being, ‘I enjoy this,’ and becomes, ‘This is part of who I am.’ But how does this shift actually happen? Often, it begins subtly: a fan might wear a team's jersey to feel connected on game day, or find themselves seeking out friends who share the same passion. For instance, someone might start by watching a band’s videos out of curiosity, but soon they are collecting every album, decorating their room with posters, and connecting with online fan groups. Gradually, the lines blur between a casual interest and a core part of identity. The community’s values, rituals, and language become woven into daily life, until supporting that artist or team feels as natural as any other aspect of who they are. 
That small shift can create remarkable loyalty. 

 
The Community Behind The Celebrity 
One of the biggest misconceptions about fandom is that it revolves entirely around the person at the centre. 
In reality, many people stay because of the community. 
Friendships are formed through shared interests. Online discussions become daily routines. Events become opportunities to connect with people who understand the same passions. 
For many BTS fans, the community is just as important as the music. 
The same can be said for cricket supporters, film fan clubs, and countless online fandoms around the world. 
What begins as admiration for one person often grows into something much larger. 
A shared culture. Shared memories. A sense of belonging. 
And belonging is one of the strongest psychological needs human beings have. 
 

Why Criticism Feels Personal 
Have you ever wondered why fans sometimes react strongly when their favourite celebrity, artist, or team is criticised? 
Part of the answer may lie in emotional ownership. 
Psychologists have found that people place greater value on things they feel belong to them. 
Interestingly, ownership need not be physical. 
People can feel a sense of ownership over communities, traditions, and stories. 
When fans invest years of attention, emotions, and time into a fandom, it begins to feel personally meaningful. 
As a result, criticism may feel less like a comment about a public figure and more like a challenge to something that matters deeply to them. However, when identification with a fandom becomes especially strong, it can sometimes lead to extreme emotional reactions, unhealthy behaviours, or even conflict with others who hold different views. While most fan connections are positive, this intense loyalty may occasionally blur boundaries and create tension, both online and offline. 
The reaction is rarely just about the celebrity. 
It is often about what they represent. 
 

What Fandom Reveals About Human Nature 
This emotional connection may also explain why the loss of beloved public figures can affect people so deeply. 
When actor Puneeth Rajkumar passed away, thousands gathered to pay their respects. Many described feeling as though they lost someone they knew personally. 
Logically, they understood the relationship was distant. 
Emotionally, it felt different. 
Because public figures often become woven into important moments of our lives. 
A favourite film. A memorable match. A song connected to a special memory. 
When people drive these figures, they are often grieving what those memories represent as well. 
Perhaps that is why fandoms continue to fascinate psychologists. 
It reminds us that human beings rarely connect through information alone. 
We connect through stories. 
Through shared experiences. 
Through communities that make us feel understood. 
 
At iDare, an organization dedicated to promoting mental well-being and personal growth, we often explore how identity shapes the way people think, feel and connect with the world around them. Fandoms offer a powerful example of this. What begins as admiration for a public figure can evolve into a sense of belonging, purpose, and community. 

 

As you reflect on your own interests and the communities you are part of, consider what draws you to certain artists, teams, or cultural icons. How do these connections shape your sense of self, your friendships, and the way you see the world? Noticing these influences might help you understand not only why fandoms matter to so many people, but also how belonging shapes your own experiences each day. 
That is the real story behind fandom. It is not simply about celebrities, athletes or artists. It is about a deeply human desire to feel connected to something larger than ourselves. 

Image Credits: UnSplash