by Scarlet Sherburn
In a recently posted TikTok, singer Chappell Roan likens once accepted and commonplace fan interactions to the street harassment and catcalling that many women face daily.
Sparking mixed reactions online, with some questioning Roan’s stardom over the expectations placed on women in the limelight, why are we still shocked when female celebrities ask for boundaries? Will we only pay attention when it’s too late?
The media has always hounded female popstars, demanding that they look and act perfect 24/7.
We have seen this countless times with other
singers such as Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears who have been physically chased by paparazzi and stalked outside of their homes. It is clear that a line needs to be drawn about the availability and openness that we demand from those that we don’t know personally.
It’s no surprise that fan culture had devolved into forgetting the humanity of stars when 2000s
paparazzi and interviews were so invasive. In 2000, MTV subjected Britney Spears to a slew of
videos slut-shaming her for her clothing while performing, in response she said “they
are entitled to their opinion.” But are they?
The feeling of ownership over these women doesn’t just stop at their clothing choices, as singer Jessica Simpson has been constantly harassed by tabloid magazines about her weight throughout her career.
After confirming that she was back to her pre-pregnancy weight, Evans brought out scales and asks, "Can I check?”
And this was repeated even within the same show, as Evans had already previously made her bandmate, Geri Halliwell (who is open about having an eating disorder) do the same when she was a guest.
The effects of the harassment and surveillance of these women are well documented and yet
well ignored by those who think celebrities ‘owe’ them their time.
So-called fans retaliated against Chappell Roan, claiming that these awkward interactions were the ‘price of fame’ and just what a popstar has to go through, despite time and time again seeing it lead to eating disorders, mental breakdowns and eventually them leaving the spotlight altogether.
In an Instagram post published on the 24th of April, the singer shares that she is “scared and tired” of her fans touching and yelling at her in public, showing that this cycle of abuse that countless other female stars have gone through is affecting her as well. In this post, she made it clear that her career is still a “job” and doesn’t entitle other people to her time when she is off work.
While other celebrities are okay with having fan interactions on their time off, it is important for each person to set these boundaries individually to what they are comfortable with.
It’s clear that none of these examples are isolated incidents and are instead a symptom of
widespread misogyny whether the public wants to admit it or not.
As someone who hasn’t always been in the industry like other popular singers Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan is rightfully horrified at the harassment that she is now suddenly receiving after reaching stardom.
Aged just 26, the singer has already experienced the long-term effects of her fame as she alluded to her family having been doxxed publicly in an interview, showing that these obsessive behaviors also damage the lives of others. Ultimately it is up to the public to have empathy and respect for these women and to start to limit the sort of personal content that they demand from them.
We need more professionalism from interviewers working with female celebrities and more respect from fans, not due to their status but because they are human.
Edited by Emily Duff