Five Tales of Uber Fandom and Where to Draw the Line With Celebrity Obsession
Credit: Rex/Allstar
We here at Focus Film are obviously big film and celebrity fans, but today we’re looking at where to draw the line with celeb obsession. How far would you go to look like your favorite movie star? We’ve made a list of the most erm, dedicated uber fans. From doing a bit of research, I’ve found that it isn’t just fans who want to look like their idols. Fan gifts can be just as creepy, and this interest in the mania encourages obsessive (and sometimes dangerous) behaviour.
Today it was reported that a 33-year-old woman from Texas has spent a huge $25,000 to make herself look like Jennifer Lawrence. I’m sure you’ll agree there is nothing wrong with having a bit of a girl crush on the funniest female in Hollywood, but going under the knife to physically replicate her is a little bit much in my opinion. Kitty is an avid fan of Jennifer Lawrence, and after people compared them looks wise, she made the decision to have six cosmetic procedures in order to alter herself. She explained that her decision was about self empowerment. report that she said “I’m trying to look like a very capable, very personal level-headed female who is an Academy Award winner”
Dolly Parton has nearly 400 soundtrack credits and nearly twenty acting credits, so it’s understandable that people might want to give back to her, after she’s given us songs like Jolene and Nine to Five. Perhaps donating a baby is going a bit too far? It was reported by Chicago’s Windy City Times, that in response to their question; “What’s the craziest thing a fan has ever asked of you?” Parton answered; “Years ago when I first started being a big star I had fans that were fanatical. It was when “Jolene” was a big hit. We came home one day and there was a baby in a box at our gate with a note in it. The note said, “My name is Jolene, my momma has left me here and she wants you to have me.” Of course, we all freaked out!”
Justin Beiber, sorry BIEBER, has released two behind the scenes films of his life on tour. The young singer released Never Say Never in 2011 and Believe last year. He’s been in the news for all the wrong reasons as of late, yet his fans aren’t much better. In an awful prank played out by 4Chan last year some fans expressed their extreme devotion to the singer. The site encouraged fans to #CutForBieber and caused a terrible Twitter storm of young naive girls mutilating themselves all in a bid to stop the singer smoking weed. It is outrageous to think that some fans are so loyal that they would self harm. 4Chan also started a #BaldForBieber trend, Fox News report that the site “claimed Bieber had cancer and fans should shave their heads to support the singer.” Beliebers have also allegedly sent death threats to the singer’s romantic involvement, Selena Gomez. The Toronto Sun also reports that Toby Sheldon has spent more than $100,000 on cosmetic procedures in order to look like Justin Bieber.
Usually social media plays a role in fueling hatred, Twitter sees more than it’s fair share of angry uber fans. When I was younger I was, and still am a massive fan of Justin Timberlake. I’m glad social media wasn’t so prevalent then, because it seems I would never have been able to speak my mind without hurls of abuse greeting me the next time I used the dial-up. Can you imagine if I’d picked the wrong side when JT and Britney broke up?! When Chris Brown assaulted Battleship star Rihanna, Brown lashed out at those referencing the dispute and his fans followed suit, defending the man for domestic violence and sending hatred to those who insulted him. Lorde was on the receiving end of abuse from One Direction Fans, a few months after they released their film This Is Us. After Paul Walker sadly died last year, posts on Twitter stated that Bieber should have died instead. Of course some of this is tongue-in-cheek but there are fans who take defending their idols too seriously, to the point where what they’re doing is nothing more than cyber bullying.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. However, the number of stories I’ve found detailing people altering their faces, in order to look like a double of their favourite actors is quite frankly too many. Xfinity report that a screenwriter named Trevor Mills got a chin implant and several nose jobs in order to look like Keanu Reeves. Twin brothers Matt and Mike Schlepp both had themselves transformed to look like Brad Pitt, going as far as having jaw and dental implants. Dustin Derrick had a chin implant to recreate John Travolta’s dimpley grin.
Personally I think that all of these examples are too extreme, but what are your opinions on pandemonium in fandom? When is being a devoted fan overstepping the line? Let us know on our page or Twitter !
