Feeling like BuzzFeed News' new #FreeBritney article, and parasocial relationships, placed me in a weird box ☹️

[Jordan Miller]

I need to get this off my chest.

BuzzFeed published a new article about the Free Britney movement and what advocates will do once the dust settles. It also touches on fans and their parasocial relationship with Britney.

The doctor interviewed defines a parasocial relationship as a "one-way social tie in which a person 'imagines a relationship with a celebrity or media figure.'" 

The interviewer prior to our chat did disclose that their article would center around this concept. 

Quote

The relationship he has with Spears is parasocial, a one-way social tie in which a person “imagines a relationship with a celebrity or media figure,” Tracy R. Gleason, psychology professor at Wellesley College, told BuzzFeed News.

I didn't expect them to publish this bit, but I told the interviewer I recently started working with a life coach, in-part, because I feel like BreatheHeavy is weighing heavy on me right now. I didn't anticipate reflecting on so much of my own life following Britney's testimony - it's been a really interesting, sometimes sad, sometimes empowering experience looking back on everything and bringing it up in interviews. When I look back on posts I've written in the past, I would recall in detail where I was at that point in time. I'm not convinced people in general are meant to look back on things, and because I have 30,000 posts from 2004 to 2020, I can recall a lot about my life when I see what I wrote. It's a bit weird. 

Gotta admit, I haven't been feeling 100% like myself these last few months (there are other things going on in-tandem that I'll open up about soon, nothing health or family related fortunately). I've been feeling a little off, so I sought out help from a life coach to help me better understand the world around me and why I might be feeling X Y Z. 

That's why I thought this topic about Britney and fans' mental health was really special and important. Our mental health is the MOST important thing in our lives, because without it being in-check, our quality of life deteriorates. I can recognize in myself that I'm dealing with some things and sought out help. I'd like to help normalize that. 

After giving myself a moment to digest this article, I walked away from it feeling like I was placed in a box.

Super grateful to be featured in an article and receive that attention for BreatheHeavy, which is why I proceed with caution when I say I didn't love reading someone's perception of my "relationship" with Britney. The tone just felt, I don't know? A little negative. I ran this by a few people close to me to make sure I wasn't making a mountain out of a molehill, and they agreed that yea, the choice of words had an angle. 

If anyone can understand what I mean, it's you all.

We ALL have our own relationship with Britney, albeit one-sided (I guess?). Fans of any artist does. Fans' love for Britney, and the teamwork displayed in the Free Britney movement, has made quantifiable change for Britney in her conservatorship. Britney in-turn has thanked the fans and supported #FreeBritney. That doesn't feel so one-sided to me. I wish that part was covered, or at least explored. 

Quote

“Where it might be problematic for someone is if they had so little sense of self that they used this fandom to create that sense of self,” Rutledge said. “It’s very difficult to move on because [the celebrities] become integral to who you think you are.”

I think any coverage on the Free Britney movement is incredible, and I'm very grateful to be a part of it, but this was the first instance I felt like I was cast in a certain light and didn't portray me in a way I liked. Maybe that's a whole separate issue, and I'm hiding from a truth that I have a strange, parasocial and one-sided relationship with Britney, and I'm uncomfortable with this article because it struck a nerve? Ahh, the joys of overthinking. 

Thoughts, Exhale? Am I being too sensitive? Was there an underlying tone of slightly-obsessive fandomness here?  I'd love to hear what you think. 

Read the new BuzzFeed article here.

 

 

Related:

 

[briprin1]

I think it’s weird that they put so much emphasis on “Parasocial” relationships and Britney fans… that’s literally every fandom?… also what’s next? Hopefully we will still be supporting her regardless of what happens after she’s free. I just think buzzfeed was trying to make us seem crazy with this part:

“Where it might be problematic for someone is if they had so little sense of self that they used this fandom to create that sense of self,” Rutledge said. “It’s very difficult to move on because [the celebrities] become integral to who you think you are.” 

[Lucian85]

 

Wtf are they saying, I don't think anyone here is 'imagining a relationship with Britney' 

I'm aware she doesn't know me, I just genuinely care for her & her story should be shocking to everyone, we're talking about human trafficking 

 

[DougFrmBrazil]

I don’t think “parasocial” relationship with an artist is healthy. We need put ourselves first. Britney doesn’t know us and looks like we’re living in a platonic relationship.

[Ghoulia]

The article’s tone is pretty much bullying the so-called diehard fans. And it seems to be coming from a pseudo-medical stance. It’s the same kind of journalism that supports team con and labeled Brit as a crazy person in 07/08 based on a few isolated snapshots. 
 

The description of the blog’s beginning is just cruel. Jordan was a“…sophomore in high school. With too much energy and not enough activities…” That alone made me think the writer was team Con.

[MikeSim]

I don't think it's right to put everyone in that category, but there are definitely people who put WAY too much of themselves into the celebrity they love. I have since learned to control myself more, but back in 2007 I was a wreck emotionally during her breakdown. It took a toll on my life quite a bit because I always felt like I had to defend her and fight with anyone and everyone being cruel. It's good to support who you enjoy, but when it starts resulting in real world issues for yourself its time a take a step back. 

Yeah the tone is a little negative, but people who aren't as committed to a celebrity and don't understand being a stan are never going to fully understand. It's like how pop fans rag on people who are super passionate about sports. When you aren't interested, those who are interested on an extreme level seem a bit crazy. 

[Moscow]

If it weren't for us "Fans" this day wouldn't have come, we love Britney and want her to live a free life, I wonder if this was happening to any other artist would they have a fandom rallying behind this having a full time job? Putting money into the movement and apart from her happiness we wont get anything. Britney is genuinely loved and I don't see any problem with this, if it weren't for the obsession this day would've never come - heck a documentary on her is nominated for Emmys - our movement alone will be planted in history. 

The way media portrays things sometimes is beyond pathetic, what is the problem loving someone? Britney is such a genuine person - it's not our mistake that most of the artists out there are fake! 

We love you J, and we all are in this. 

[Ofcoursenot]

Let this article die, not worth the attention 

[Chaoticluv]

Parasocial relationships is normal and healthy. This article was focusing too much on the bad side of it. 

[Jamie Lynn Forever]

apparently spreading kindness and caring about human rights is weird ... ok

this just shows you how ****ed up our world is. people think kindness is unhealthy now?

even if britney doesn't know me, it's not just a britney issue , the corruption goes way further than britney , she's just the most famous example , there are a lot of britneys out there that don't have a voice to express themselves.

[Jordan Miller]

Will be back to chat with you soon about this. Gonna take my angst out in the gym

[Slayer]

I think what they said was extremely disrespectful and i did not like how they spoke about you at all.

Us fans know we are doing a great job and no article will defeat us.

Also, i'm proud of you @Jordan Miller for noticing something was up and taking action  Mental health is SO important.

[Toxic.Latin]

i really thought buzzfeed was stanninh hard for britney. Guess i was wrong.

Cancel flopfeed. they are so 2013.

[jordeezy river red]

......and Buzzfeed doesn't have a "parasocial" relationship with the politicians they simp for? Give me a break! Why are all of these leftist leaning pundits and people attempting to bash a movement of women and LGBT people advocating for freedom? Sorry. If y'all can't see through these toxic people then you are blind. They care about nothing but power. 

[Luxuriou$]

Matt Stopera where ya at ? 

[IRunAway]

I think you’re giving too much power to the article.  Honestly I don’t even care to read it.  I read your post though.  Move on to writing something that brings you more joy and realize it’s only a certain sector’s opinion, and more people relate to how you feel on this subject than you realize.

Britney’s relationships with everyone are messed up, so of course she’s not going to have a two way relationship with any of us... that’s okay, it doesn’t mean that we still aren’t instrumental to getting her to where she is or helping her achieve feats and freedoms.  Every little thing can be a factor, and who cares what a few other people think?  They’ve got their own junk they’d feel weird about if another person on the internet chose to write an article about it.

[Peachy]

I guess this can give you a little more insight on what it’s actually like to be a celebrity. Constantly taken out of context or dissected in the eyes of others… or given a “label” or constantly diagnosed.. it’s tough! 

[Justiceney]

Wow this article was an attack. If its any consolation, I am sure britney would tell him to **** himself if she knew of this article

[Isla]

I feel like the article tries to paint a lot of fans in a bad light. We only feel strongly because we know this c-ship isn't good for Britney and we want to try and do everything we can to support her while she fights for freedom. I don't see why that's such a bad thing. I'm sorry Jordan

[Isla]

19 minutes ago, Luxuriou$ said:

Matt Stopera where ya at ? 

What did he do? I thought he was a Britney fan, he's written quite a few positive articles about her before.