“Your favorite artist’s favorite artist” Chappell Roan seemingly appeared overnight, and now she’s found herself facing criticism for setting boundaries regarding fan interactions.
In a TikTok video, Roan stated that she’s very uncomfortable with fans approaching her on the street or asking for photos. She went on to talk about how she and her family have been stalked by these so-called fans.
The response to this Tiktok was immediate, with many saying that these sorts of interactions are a normal part of being a celebrity that she needs to learn to handle. There have been many controversial opinions on this matter and others argued that she has every right to set boundaries and that no one is entitled to her time.
“I don’t care that this crazy type of behavior comes with the job,” Roan said on TikTok. “That does not make it okay.”
Although Roan is a celebrity, she’s still a real person. Fan culture has evolved in such a way that celebrities are no longer seen as people, but as characters. She has just as much right to set boundaries as anyone else does.
In a Rolling Stone interview, Roan detailed an experience with an obsessive fan. “[they] follow me and know where my parents live, and where my sister works. All this weird [stuff].”
This experience prompted the Tiktok that sparked so much backlash, further lending credence to the idea that she was entirely within her right to set boundaries.
The truth is, celebrities don’t owe anything to their fans. Any true fan would respect any boundaries that their favorite celebrity sets. No matter how big of a fan of someone you are, you are not at all entitled to anything, including their time.
If I saw my favorite celebrity on the street, I’d be excited, sure, but I would respect their boundaries because I know that they’re human too! I wouldn’t want to be followed around all day, so I’m sure the same goes for them. At the end of the day, celebrities are no different than you are me and they deserve privacy and respect like the rest of us.