A mixed-method two-study design is used to shed light on how media users experience jealousy in parasocial romantic relationships with media figures. In-depth interviews reveal dialectics that guide fans' responses to the media figure's romantic relationships. The jealousy expression profiles theory is used to examine psychological and relational predictors of specific patterns of jealousy responses. Overall, emotional attachment was positively associated with jealousy and jealousy expressions. The investment model variables were associated with greater jealousy and more constructive reactions, whereas avoidant attachment was associated with more destructive responses. Seeing the rival relationship as highly satisfying and committed led to more constructive responses and less negative affect. Public Policy Relevance StatementMedia users often develop strong romantic feelings toward celebrities. Although their relationship with the celebrity is entirely imaginary, fans can experience jealousy and negative emotional outcomes when the media figure becomes romantically involved with someone in real life. The current study makes a first step toward understanding why and when do fans of celebrities experience romantic jealousy while others respond in adaptive ways.

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Past research and anecdotal evidence suggests that many audience members are exposed to media figures they dislike. However, their relationships with these media figures are not well understood in parasocial research. Building on scholarly media and fan studies on anti-fandom, we argue that these seemingly negative experiences are diverse, complex, and nuanced—they are more than merely the opposite of positive parasocial relationships (PSRs). The chapter theorizes several nonamicable parasocial experiences: pervasive negative PSRs (NPSRs) (formed with ubiquitous media figures one cannot escape); competitive NPSRs (involving a real or symbolic rivalry with the media user’s PSR partner); loyal NPSRs (inability to break up with a disappointing PSR partner); and ludic/ironic PSRs (wherein individuals derive pleasure from disparaging an inferior media figure). The chapter concludes with a review of specific media and audience variables that can be instrumental in examining these different types of nonamicable PSRs.

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The present study examines 4 cognitive discrepancy management strategies that media users can use in response to a celebrity making a political statement that runs contrary to their beliefs. The experiment (N = 382) replicates the results using 3 celebrities and 2 attitude object contexts. Exposure to a celebrity making political statements that the media user disagrees with resulted in weaker parasocial relationships with the celebrity and attribution of lesser importance to that issue. Viewers who particularly liked the celebrity prior to the study were more likely to decouple the actor from their line of work to continue enjoying the actor's media content despite their political disagreement. These findings illuminate the potential consequences of celebrity politics for both the media figures' stardom and the citizens' political participation. Public Policy Relevance StatementEntertainment celebrities often voice their stance on various social issues. The study examines the consequences of this practice, showing that although entertainers can leverage their celebrity status to attenuate public opinion, it might come at the cost of their popularity. These findings can inform efforts to maximize the impact of political advocacy, enhance celebrity management practices, and promote political participation.