When Taylor Swift kicked off her Eras Tour in 2023, Salma Moustafa, a po- litical science sophomore, wasn’t in the crowd. Instead, she was watching clips on TikTok between classes.
“I’m not a diehard fan or anything,” she said. “But there’s something about the way she talks to her audience. You start to feel like you know her.”
That feeling of knowing a celebrity personally, even though it’s not a shared connection, is defined as a parasocial relationship, a term that describes the one-sided relationships people form with media figures. Most people know that this connection isn’t real, but it still doesn’t take away from the joy it brings them.
“I don’t think I’m best friends with Taylor Swift,” Moustafa said with a laugh. “But I like the idea of her. Her music makes sense to me. That’s enough.”
Dr. Yasmin Samir, a clinical psychologist at Nine Psychology clinic in Cairo, says this kind of connection is often a byproduct of how our brains work.
“We’re wired to seek familiarity and connection. When someone is constantly present in our lives, even through a screen, our minds can start to treat them as emotionally significant,” she explained.
Based on a study done by sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl in 1956, parasocial interactions are defined as “the illusion of a face-to-face relationship with a media persona,” highlighting how even brief exposures can create perceived intimacy.
Samir explains, however, that parasocial relationships shouldn’t necessarily be thought of as rooted in obsession.
“Most of the time, it’s nice and light. People just enjoy the sense of connection. It only becomes a concern if it starts interfering with daily life or replaces real relationships.”
“These emotional bonds can fulfill a social function,” said Dr. Haidy Elmasry, a psychologist from O7 Therapy.
“They give people a sense of continuity and emotional reward, especially in times when real-life interactions may feel unstable or lacking.”
Concerts, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content all help build that sense of connection. Artists share glimpses of their lives, and fans respond, often emotionally.
For many, being part of a fandom, even casually, brings a sense of fun and familiarity.
“There was this one moment when a K-pop idol cried on stage, and everyone online was talking about it like it was their friend,” said Mariam Khaled, an architecture junior.
“I found myself hoping he was okay, even though I don’t know anything about him beyond the videos.”
Earlier research by professors Alan Rubin, Elizabeth Perse, and Robert Powell in 1985 supports this, showing that parasocial interactions grow stronger when audiences are repeatedly exposed to media figures they perceive as authentic or relatable.
Even influencers, people who aren’t necessarily actors or musicians, have become the center of parasocial bonds.
“It’s not that I think we’re friends,” said Hanya Shallan, a senior studying graphic design, of the celebrities she follows.
“But when you see someone’s face every day and hear them talk about their life, you get used to them being there. You lowkey start to care in a way.”
Khaled added how this gradually builds up a one-sided relationship with this celebrity, prompting you to notice their quirks and habits.
The connection often feels harmless, even comforting. But it can also blur boundaries.
“I sometimes catch myself talking about a celebrity like I know them,” said Hagar ElRefai, an architecture sophomore.
“Like, ‘Oh, she would never wear that’ or ‘That’s such a her thing.’ And then I realize, wait, I don’t actually know her.”
That’s where things can get tricky, when the illusion of closeness starts to feel real.
“These relationships provide a sense of stability and even companionship for some people. Samir explained. The key is knowing the limits, remembering it’s a one-sided connection, no matter how familiar it feels.
“It’s fine to connect with someone from a distance,” Samir reiterates.
“Just make sure it adds to your life, not replaces it.”
