Admirer-celebrity relationships among young adults. Explaining perceptions of celebrity influence on identity

Abstract

This study investigated young adults' judgments regarding the degree to which relationships with celebrity idols influenced their sense of identity and feelings of were recruited from a larger sample (N = 213) of young adults whose responses to a brief survey instrument indicated that they were moderately to strongly attracted to media figures they identified as idols in their lives. The present paper discusses the characteristics of the sample of idols participants reported as well as descriptive data concerning the degree to which participants perceived these idols as influential in shaping their sense of identity and feelings of self-worth. We also present the results of an exploratory path analysis that tested hypotheses about the possible relational antecedents of participants' perceived influence ratings, hypotheses derived from Caughey's (1984) analysis of celebrity-admirer relationships. The results highlight the utility of adopting a relational orientation to the study of how attachments to celebrities can significantly shape identity development. I n addition to relations with family and peers, adolescents often form secondary attachments to figures they encounter in the popular media. Many theorists believe these attachments foster the transition to adulthood in much the same way that relationships with peers do, serving as important arenas in which the development of a mature adult

Celebrity worship, addiction and criminality

“…Religious leaders and news commentators were least frequently selected (0.9% and 0.1%, respectively). This breakdown closely mirrored that identified by Boon and Lomore (2001), where 33.9% of respondents chose singers or musicians and 32.3% favoured actors or actresses.…”

“…A Canadian telephone study of 75 undergraduates found that 58.7% believed their favourite celebrity had influenced their attitudes and beliefs, or had inspired them to pursue a particular activity (Boon & Lomore, 2001). These researchers were not, however, able to conclude whether these influences were largely positive or negative in nature.…”

Would you forgive Kristen Stewart or Tiger Woods or maybe Lance Armstrong? Exploring consumers’ forgiveness of celebrities’ transgressions

“…As celebrities often represent aspirational reference groups (Escalas, 2004), any para-social relationship is likely to enhance the consumer's desired self (Dwivedi, Johnson, & McDonald, 2015). Therefore, protecting the relationship also means protecting oneself, as keeping the celebrity 'idolised' supports the survival of their own sense of identity and feelings of self-worth (Banister & Coker, 2014;Boon & Lomore, 2001). As such, any transgression that damages the celebrity is also likely to damage the follower.…”

“…This was often the celebrity's high standard of achievement (Choi & Rifon, 2012). Following a transgression, seeing the celebrity return to what made them famous and successful reminded consumers why they admired the celebrity in the first place (Boon & Lomore, 2001), namely their 'achieved celebrity' status (Rojek, 2001, p. 18). The celebrity's subsequent accomplishments were a strong factor in helping repair their image and generate forgiveness by 'overriding the transgression' and focusing on the 'area of celebrification' which they were revered for:…”

Effectiveness of Narrative Persuasion on Facebook: Change of Attitude and Intention towards HPV

“…Researches have shown that audience members change their appearance, attitudes, values and behaviour to resemble celebrities they admire (Boone and Lomore, 2001;Basil, 1996). Cognitive Social Theory states that viewers want to emulate attractive and successful models (Bandura, 1986).…”