“From Fandom to faith: Are celebs our new Gods?”
Times of Bennett | Updated: Sep 26, 2025 02:50
Correspondent : Navya Arora
Scroll through social media on any given day and you’ll notice a strange kind of devotion at play. Hashtags for celebrities trend world wide, birthday posts flood timeline like festive greetings, and fans unite in coordinated campaigns as if they were serving a higher cause.
From Swifties staying up all night to decode Taylor swift’s Easter eggs, to BTS ARMY planting trees in their idol’s name, Stan culture today has crossed far beyond simple administration. The way people celebrate, defend and even shape their identities around celebrities makes one wonder - are we witnessing fandom? or are we witnessing a new form of worship?
Unlike the quiet administration of earlier decades modern style culture feels more ritualistic. Following acelebrity is no longer just about watching films or listening to songs - it’s about living through them. Concerts resemble mass congregations, lyrics turn into chants and merch becomes sacred tokens.
It does not stop here, this devotion also extends online where fans monitor every like, comment or cryptic post from their idol treating it as prophecy waiting to be decoded. A celebrity tweet can spark global reactions within seconds creating a collective high that is not very different from the rush of spiritual gatherings.
At the heart of this culture lies identity. To call yourself - aSwiftie , Belieber or Khan fan is to join a community for the longest time, a tribe that offers belonging In a fragmented digital world. This loyalty runs so deep that fans don’t just support an artist’s work; they often shape their worldview, politics and lifestyle around them. For many, being part of a fandom is no less than carrying a faith- it guides how they express themselves and even how they find companionship with others.
But like any form of worship,Stan culture also has it shadows. When celebrities are elevated to God like figures, their flaws vanish in the glare of blind loyalty. Any criticism is met. Outrage and mistakes are either excused or spark mass cancellations, leaving no space for nuisance. Fans too can lose themselves in the cycle, prioritising their idol’s reputation over their own individuality. The devotion that once brought joy is turning into obsession.
And yet, it would be unfair to dismiss the culture as unhealthy. At its score, it represents a very human need : the search for connection, ritual and belonging. In an age, where religion is no longer a dominant force for many young people, celebrities have become the new objects of devotion, offering inspiration and community in ways that traditional institutions no longer can. The real challenge lies in balance. Celebrating without finding them, finding identity without losing yourself, and remembering that the stars that we worship are still human after all.
So perhaps the answer is yes - culture is modern devotion. But whether that devotion uplift us or consumers us depends on how far we choose to bow.
The writer is a media student, storyteller, and a pop culture enthusiast. Through her column, society in stereo, she used to explore the things. We usually consume just for entertainment, uncovering, deeper perspective, and meaning hidden between them.
Scroll through social media on any given day and you’ll notice a strange kind of devotion at play. Hashtags for celebrities trend world wide, birthday posts flood timeline like festive greetings, and fans unite in coordinated campaigns as if they were serving a higher cause.
Unlike the quiet administration of earlier decades modern style culture feels more ritualistic. Following a
At the heart of this culture lies identity. To call yourself - a
But like any form of worship,
So perhaps the answer is yes - culture is modern devotion. But whether that devotion uplift us or consumers us depends on how far we choose to bow.
The writer is a media student, storyteller, and a pop culture enthusiast. Through her column, society in stereo, she used to explore the things. We usually consume just for entertainment, uncovering, deeper perspective, and meaning hidden between them.
