Is it unnatural to feel grief over the death of someone with whom you never had a personal relationship? Someone who was never even conscious of your existence?
Unnatural or not, many are grieving the loss of Liam Payne (member of the popular band One Direction), who fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, October 16. The circumstances surrounding his passing are still being debated; an autopsy revealed that there were drugs in his system, though authorities say there may not have been enough to severely impact his actions at the time of his death.
Photo taken by Paimages.co.uk
Reactions to this tragedy have been varied. One X (formerly known as Twitter) user posted on October 21, “I know I'm a grown man and all that… but I can’t lie, I'm still extremely sad about Liam Payne's death… It has overtaken my life for the last couple of days.” Another user said, “1D were[sic] my first concert ticket I ever bought myself. I would listen to their music and watch their interviews/YT videos during some of the loneliest times in my life. It just doesn’t seem real.”
Alongside the outpouring of grief, others obsessed with finding out “the truth” behind Payne’s fall, arguing that there has been a cover-up hiding some sort of conspiracy. These reactions are criticized by fans as being tasteless and unfounded.
I cannot honestly say I am a fan of One Direction or Liam Payne, but reading about and talking to fans who are grieving still allows me to empathize. The internet’s reaction to Liam Payne’s passing shows that the death of a celebrity can have a profound emotional impact on the lives of people who never had a “real” relationship with them.
A parasocial relationship is a one-sided connection with someone online who does not know of your existence. Through repeated exposure to a celebrity's face, mannerisms and content, we can begin to feel as if we really know them—as if there is a strong bond or friendship between us. However, the bond is imaginary and unreciprocated.
This phenomenon is not unnatural or wrong; in fact, it illustrates the ontological reality that all humans are created in God’s image. He is a personal God and has instilled this trait within all of us. We are inherently relational beings, which is why we can so easily create these parasocial relationships with celebrities. While these bonds are sinful if they become obsessive and idolatrous, there is nothing wrong with following a celebrity you respect.
The grief so many people are feeling currently is real; not something to be scoffed at or minimized. Maybe you have not been personally affected by the passing of Liam Payne, but if you examine your affections, you can probably think of a celebrity or social media figure whose loss would hurt you.
On the other hand, you might be frequently tempted by cynicism and struggle to take the death of celebrities seriously. This could be an opportunity to talk to someone who has been affected and reexamine those sentiments.
Either way, you can remember that the loss of any human life is tragic, and this is no exception.
Thumbnail photo taken by Paimages.co.uk