Like many other kids, I was obsessed with “Harry Potter” growing up. I never enjoyed reading back then; it always felt like a chore. That is until my friend recommended the “Harry Potter” series to me. Unfortunately, I started the series with the last book because of her recommendation (Potterheads, please forgive me), but regardless, I fell right down the rabbit hole. It became an integral part of my identity growing up and introduced me to the world of fantasy and literature, becoming a major influence in my writing journey. This is why, when all the news about J.K. Rowling and her transphobic beliefs came out, I fell into a moral dilemma. I began questioning this person whom I idolized throughout my childhood, as well as my relationship with the franchise entirely.
My idea for Another Bites The Dust was ignited as I sought to explore these questions. I think the ‘downfall’ of these celebrities can say a lot about the parasocial relationships we form, whether with celebrities, artists, historical or political figures. It sparks a wealth of interesting topics to explore, such as the art vs. the artist, forgiveness and accountability. As a chronically online doomscroller, I can always find a new thread or post trying to ‘cancel’ a celebrity. Furthermore, I find it strange that the spectrum of reasons for their condemnation can be ridiculously wide, from criminal accusations to suspecting they’re in a relationship.
The fact that there are even debates on this topic shows that some of us feel a moral dilemma when it comes to these celebrities. But if we really think about it, why are we so invested in the lives of these people we’ve never met? Why do we care so much? As someone who has long been part of online fandom culture, I see so many people who align much of their identities with certain brands, celebrities and fandom circles. These celebrities, their art and their stories have come to mean a great deal to many people in our increasingly participatory culture. Consequently, when that person does something wrong, it leads to a spectrum of interesting responses.
As the landscape of digital media continues to evolve, we can learn so much by taking a deeper look into these social reactions and digital interactions, through which we can reflect on our own behaviors. I hope that fellow doomscrollers and non-doomscrollers alike can join me in my biweekly, case-by-case studies as we dive into the good, the bad and the ugly of celebrity cancel culture.
