Recently, I borrowed Pamela Pike’s new book, Through Our Eyes: A Fan’s Perspective on Artist David Archueta, from a friend and was pleasantly surprised when the book’s first chapter introduced the concept of parasocial interaction theory. As Pike writes, “Individuals develop a relationship with celebrities, just as they would with people in a real community. Except the celebrities are not a part of the person’s life; thus the relationship is called a para-social relationship. This para-social relationship is the key to understanding the fan-celebrity phenomenon” (p. 5).
As a media studies researcher, it is not often that I encounter a psychological or communication theory in a non-academic book. Pike discusses the meanings that fans and professionals who have worked with David have derived from their interactions with him. In addition, Pike thoughtfully describes her religious conversion experience to David’s faith and her joy in sharing that news with David.
Parasocial interaction theory offers a fascinating opportunity to examine the range of fan relationships and behaviors regarding David. Pike asks: “We are infatuated with celebrities. We idolize them. We are followers at heart. We are celebrity obsessed. Why do we love them so much?” (p. 5) Parasocial interaction theory can help explain how some fans are so touched by David and his music that they have converted to his religion. Parasocial attachments are also apparent in how fans attend multiple concerts, give David gifts, passionately discuss David-related topics online, and attempt to communicate with him through letters and Tweets.
Pike’s book does not critically use parasocial interaction theory to examine fan behaviors. Parasocial theory could help uncover how Pike’s perceived familiarity with David through the mass media may have played a role in her conversion to the Mormon religion. Of course, a critical analysis is not Pike’s intention.
Although Pike does not conduct a critical analysis, her mention of the theory in the first chapter is spot-on. Parasocial interaction theory helps explains audiences’ attachment to David and even the fan angst around the as-yet-unproven mission rumor. Before I discuss these two issues, though, I would first like to extend Pike’s first chapter by briefly explaining parasocial interaction theory, which is a fascinating area of fan studies research.
A Brief Overview of Parasocial Interaction Theory
Without a doubt, the mass media has helped create fans’ attachment to David and other public figures. In the early 1900s, motion pictures originally appealed to non-English-speaking immigrants because movies told simple stories that could easily be understood. By the 1920s, the burgeoning motion picture industry attracted a broader audience. As audiences began to attend movies as a popular pastime, the movie studios realized that they could create celebrities and increase ticket sales. Movie studios began to develop celebrity culture by manufacturing celebrities such as Clara Bow (known as the “It Girl”), Mary Pickford, and Rudolph Valentino. Studios heavily promoted upcoming films and even fabricated celebrity scandals to publicize their products.
As the media industry expanded in the affluent post-war 1950s, psychology scholars asked why audiences developed familiar and strong attachments to celebrities in television shows, films, music, and radio. During this time of rapid cultural change, teenagers had more disposable income to spend on entertainment. Rock and roll, especially, created music heartthrobs who also appeared on television and in movies. It is no coincidence that teen fan magazines such as Tiger Beat and Datebook appeared by the mid-‘60s, and further placed celebrities in their fans’ everyday lives.
As a result of this constant exposure to their idols, audiences displayed certain peculiar behaviors. Teenagers wore mop-top wigs to mimic their favorite Beatle and wrote lengthy fan letters to actors. Audiences also sometimes acted in disturbing and angry ways. For example, when a Datebookcover story reprinted John Lennon’s controversial statement that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus now” in 1966, fans picketed concerts and staged bonfire burnings of their albums.
To attempt to explain these fan behaviors, Donald Horton and Richard Wohl introduced the concept of parasocial interaction in their research paper, “Mass Communication and Para-social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance,” published in Psychiatry journal in 1956. Parasocial interaction refers to one-way interactions in which a person knows a great deal about someone else.
Although parasocial interactions can occur between non-famous people, the theory is especially relevant today as audiences learn about a real or fictional media persona through mass media such as television screen or vlogs. The media persona is frequently presented in a very familiar, conversational way and appears to speak face-to-face to the audience. Audience members form attachments to the persona and believe they have an intimate bond with the public figure. As Pike writes, “The distance between them and us can stretch thousands of miles. With constant exposure, our favorite star can almost feel like a family member, because he or she is absorbed into our everyday life” (p. 5).
This situation certainly is the case for me. I find in conversations that I often refer to David Archuleta as just “David,” like I would a family member. It makes no sense given that we are actually strangers to each other, but the parasocial interaction makes David seem familiar. Several years ago, I introduced myself to David at a concert and mentioned that I had given him a scrapbook at a previous concert. I quickly realized that my manner of speaking assumed familiarity, but in reality, I was probably just an unfamiliar face in a blur of tour activity.
Social Media and Parasocial Attachments in David’s Fandom
Like most millennial children, David is a heavy social media user. Vlogs, blogs, and even Twitter give the illusion of David’s one-on-one interactions with his fans. When David addresses fans through Twitter and vlogs, his communication feels friendly, personal, dependable, and direct.
Several years ago, I was intrigued when some fans mentioned that when they approach David at meet-and-greets, they sometimes feel as though they know him because he has been on Twitter or television so often. Parasocial interactions are apparent when fans think of David as a relative or friend. Social media only strengthen parasocial interactions because we are able to send messages to celebrities, and they can respond to us.
In many ways, the success of “American Idol” relies on parasocial interaction. Amanda Scheiner McClain, a communication professor at Medaille College in New York, offers a much-needed analysis of “American Idol” in her forthcoming book, American Ideal: How American Idol Constructs Celebrity, Collective Identity, and American Discourses (Lexington Books). McClain argues that the show’s official online discussion forums and interactive voting system generate audience loyalty toward the contestants.
In addition, McClain asserts that “American Idol” creates a narrative, or story, around each contestant to give the contestant a persona and build fan relationshiops with that person. In David’s case, I was instantly intrigued by his backstory of vocal paralysis. The overcoming-a-hardship narrative is a familiar device used by the show to generate loyal followers. David’s plotline, coupled with his soulful voice and shy demeanor, humanized him and I was hooked.
Moving forward three years, I have attended many concerts, met David on different occasions, and frequently communicate online with other fans. I enjoy following David’s vlogs and Tweets that describe aspects of his everyday life and professional work. All of these interactions encourage parasocial relationships as fans send David letters, give him gifts, and send frequent Twitter messages describing their everyday, minute activities.
Parasocial Interactions and the “Hacker” Controversy
Parasocial interactions can have a more troubling side in any fandom. Three weeks ago, David’s fandom imploded following the recent “Twitter hacker controversy” and subsequent appearance of trolls on various websites.

David sampling food on his recent Asia tour. His tweets about his everyday activities make him seem more real to his fans.
Whether the Tweets and trolls shared legitimate information is not my concern here. It is likely that David will test out new ideas and decisions as he navigates through life experiences in his 20s and beyond. Those decisions may or may not take him away from a public music career. Scanning across the different fan sites and chat rooms, I read the outpouring of fans’ reactions of surprise, confusion, sadness, and even grief about a possible departure from the music industry for two years or more
Some people discount parasocial relationships as trivial fan fantasies. However, parasocial interactions are powerful and real in today’s media culture. We feel kinship with David when we listen to his music and follow his online communication. When David shares how the fans motivate him to work harder, it helps us feel like we share a small part in his musical journey. Many fans look forward to David’s Tweets that might be about having a turkey sandwich, recording yet another song take, passing a school crossing guard, or learning how to drive a manual shift.
As I read online fan discussions over the past three weeks, I was repeatedly struck by how some fans have expressed how David’s departure and ensuing total silence would be like losing a friend. On one fan site this past week, the discussion turned to the topic of grief as fans honestly described their reactions to the mission rumor. Some fans shared their wide-ranging reactions that were underscored by an overall feeling of sadness.
I have appreciated many fans’ honest reactions. Not all fans agree that the fandom should even be discussing the mission rumor, but the grief is real within the context of parasocial interactions. If David walks away, I know that I will experience loss and sadness over someone who will probably never know who I am.
~ Freofan
Great post FREO! Thanks for putting a logical explanation to at times incomprehensible & more often than not, misunderstood behavior that Archies go through.
And before I forget, FREO -- I also hope that you have, finally decided to go to AZ?
LOL, you could add that event to the list of things you gotta to do simply to see David 🙂 I mean, Constitution event, in AZ? Quite an interesting combination, esp given that David is Latino… But it is an LDS sponsored event, right?
Hope to hear a “report” from you 🙂 Safe travels Freo!
David mentions a WIIIIIIIINTER TOOOOOOOOOOUR in this interview w/ 17 Malaysia 🙂
BTW, @DavidArchie David Archuleta asks
Vote for @CMNHospitals to #sharethelove and help sick kids: http://ow.ly/6rZwG Let me know if you voted for them!
Please do your bit 🙂
Wow, this is so interesting! I know I and most of us here, have this feeling that David “belongs” to us somehow. Sure, we know he wouldn’t recognize us from an armadillo in passing, but we feel like we know so much about him, that is is truly like having another family member.
My sons once said something along the lines of, “Oh, yeah, David…our other brother.” and laughed uproariously. Ha! Even they call him David and not David Archuleta!
I’ve recently had some of those discussions you mention, Freo, about how I would feel if David disappeared from the scene (and my online life) for 2 years, and grief is definitely a word that describes how it feels.
With a daily check of what is new in David’s world -- ArchuWorld -- the constant following of his tweets, vlogs, fan conversations and endlessly checking YouTube for a new version of a performance, is it any wonder I would feel like there would be an empty place in my life without him making music, making humorous tweets, and making news?
Thank you so much for this amazing analysis of “fan love” for our favorite artist!
Freo! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post, and got a lump in my throat with your last sentence. Gulp.
I know as fans, we’ve discussed many a times this curious phenomenon of being so incredibly attached to a person who is basically a stranger to us. So this parasocial interaction theory is a fascinating subject matter!
And of course I too share similar stories of me referring to David as just David as if he is a member of the family. Every time I go visit my mother, I show her videos of David and she loves hearing my David updates. Once, I switched to talking about my ex-brother-in-law who is also David, and suddenly my mother stopped me and said, “Oh you mean David ‘Mann’! Not ‘your’ David!!” Yup he is MY David! And a million others’ haha!
Thank you both Freo and TDC for a great post! See you in AZ Freo!!!
Very interesting thoughtful post. I also read Pamela’s book and my favorite part was some of the stories told by those that have worked with David. One story Dean told was of a lady fan who was planning to attend the Motab concert but found out she had liver cancer and needed treatment and would not be able to attend. David found out about her and without saying anything to Dean or anyone else. Called her and sang Oh Holy Night. Her family told Dean how much that meant to her.
Yes David and his fans have become of big part of my life and some of my fondest memories including taking ten family members ages 10-70 to one of his concerts and going to the Motab concert.
I’m looking forward to hearing from all the Arizona concert goers.
Hoping for a Christmas Tour.
Thanks to David Chronicles for documenting David’s career and contributions of the writers and fans.
“I mean, Constitution event, in AZ? Quite an interesting combination, esp given that David is Latino… ”
David is not an illegal (Latino) immigrant, which is the controversy in Arizona, because they have SO may illegal immigrants there. He is an American. He reveres his country. Why would he not go to an event that promotes our Constitution. He is proud of his country (the USA).
Your comment is confusing to me.
Not to be obtuse. I understand the issues in Arizona.
And many thanks for this site and your wonderful articles. I visit often but rarely post. This comment just made me say…what?
DA Interview @ AZ Midday
Thanks for the link. Its good to see David treated favorably from an anchor person. He handled it very well and seemed comfortable. I love it when he is treated with respect. She gave a short,to the point of David’s music past for people who are not that familiar with him. It was nice to see a good amount of time spent on how to get tickets and where he would be singing. Nice. And he looked great!! Happy…at ease.
DEBRA -- I was referring to the venue of the Constitution Fair as it is taking place in a state “infamous” for Latino/Chicano immigrants crack down.
Of course am aware that David is American but his Latino heritage is a valuable part of him. As a non-US citizen, I find the combo of events interesting. No judgement intended.
Re the AZ Midday interview -- I quite agree DEBRA. The pacing was good. He was given time to speak. He wasn’t hurried. The host had good control and she sounded enthusiastic. She also listened to David -- something that is almost always missing in the canned media blitz some stars go through.
FREO- yoo-hoo!!!! See what AZ Central has to say about the Constitution Fair and how it ties nicely w/ your “fan-love” analysis 🙂
Gilbert Constitution Week: ‘Idol’ star Archuleta serves as drawing card
Teresa Housel plans to fly from Holland, Mich., to Gilbert this morning to listen to David Archuleta at the town’s Constitution Fair on Saturday.
Forget Ben Franklin. Housel is among the hundreds of fans who will be in Gilbert this week just to hear the 2008 “American Idol” runner-up sing.
Housel plans to join two friends she says are equally eager to take advantage of a relatively inexpensive oppoprtunity to hear Archulata sing.
The 39-year-old communications professor at Hope College, has been a fan since the singer, now 20, gained prominence on American Idol, and has attended 10 of his concerts and met him four times. She also writes for “The David Chronicles,” one of his fan-run websites.
“For me, it’s the voice,” Housel said. “It’s soulful, very emotional, very expressive and definitely unique.”
Barbara Stowell, an organizer for Constitution Week USA, said that she received more than 30 e-mails from fans around the country -- and even one from South America -- with messages for Archuleta, queries about the show and where they can send him gifts and flowers. Others kept calling with the same types of questions.
In response, Constitution Week USA organizers created a fan seating area for $25 wristbands that secures a seat. The rest of the audience is encouraged to bring chairs/blankets and provide their own picnic-type seating. The fair admits people with a suggested donation of $5 or $15 for families.
Stowell has also sent 130 wristbands to Patty Cordova, a fan in California, who has been selling them to other fans.
With all this adulation taking place, are the organizers worried that the message of the fair -- a celebration of the birthday of one of America’s founding documents -- is being overshadowed?
“A little bit,” Stowell said. “I want people to come and see the displays and be aware why we’re having this celebration. If it creates an awareness, then it’s worth it.”
Gilbert’s Constitution Week USA, considered the country’s largest celebration of its kind, seeks to remind people of the freedom and liberty that came to Americans through the Constitution. Now in its 10th year, Saturday’s fair is one component of the celebration. Seminars, school presentations, a theatrical show, art show and workshops have been held all this week.
Stowell said Archuleta was selected as a headliner this year because he fitted in well with the fair’s overall theme and is a wholesome person teens could look up to.
According to his father, Jeff Archuleta, Stowell said, David loved patriotic and family-oriented gatherings. The family is from Salt Lake City, and Archuleta is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which promotes family life.
“One of our goals this year is to get young people, teens and the early 20s crowd (to attend),” Stowell said. “I think we can accomplish that goal.”
Housel said Archuleta drew fans from every age group and both genders, but conceded that most people who’ve contacted her have been middle-aged women. “Fans are attracted to him for different reasons,” she said. Among them are “his religion, voice and good looks.”
Stowell declined to say how much they are paying the singer, but said that he gave the group “a pretty good deal.” Arizona is a good market for him, she said, and that the singer is mindful that the organization is a non-profit.
In anticipation of about 10,000 people coming -- last year, they estimated 8,000 visited -- more parking has been allotted, including a dirt lot on Civic Center Drive that leads to the town center venue.
Meanwhile, Stowell hopes fairgoers are also enthusiastic about the pre-show concert, which features several Gilbert bands, such as Firefly and Jones Boys.
“David Archuleta is part of the Constitution Fair,” Stowell said. “This isn’t a David Archuleta concert.”
Source: http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/09/16/20110916gilbert-constitution-week-idol-star-david-archuleta-boost.html#ixzz1YBRsaif9
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/09/16/20110916gilbert-constitution-week-idol-star-david-archuleta-boost.html#ixzz1YBRQRYCD
Constitution Week in Gilbert will be the biggest yet
With a big-name headliner, a $90,000 budget and a 10th anniversary billing, Constitution Week USA plans its biggest-yet celebration in Gilbert next week.
“It’s all about education,” organizer Jared Taylor said. “It’s to remind people of the freedom and liberty that came to us as a result of the Constitution.”
Similar to previous years, a full program of seminars, school presentations, a theatrical show, art show and workshops will culminate Sept. 17 with the Constitution Fair at the Town Center.
The “American Idol” Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta is the marquee headliner for the fair.
As Constitution Week grows, organizers will strive to bring in bigger entertainment names, Taylor said, adding that Archuleta, who will perform a 40-minute concert that will include numbers from his new album, “The Other Side of Down,” has a large following around the world.
Organizers expect about 10,000 people at the fair, up from the estimated 8,000 who attended last year.
…
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/09/09/20110909gilbert-constitution-week-idol-star-david-archuleta.html#ixzz1YBWuehLD
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/09/09/20110909gilbert-constitution-week-idol-star-david-archuleta.html#ixzz1YBWoGGJt
LOL
Stowell in the AZ Central article
“This isnt a David Archuelta concert…”
and then one of the bands opening for the Constitution Fair twits
@heartfirefly Firefly
At sound check for the David Archuleta show tomorrow! So flippin excited!!
JR: I love that tweet from Firefly LOL. Yup, it IS a David Archuleta Concert -- and we’ll all be waiting for videos!
I created a special page (a short take) for the Constitution Fair -- promo & performance page
WARNING -- some LETHAL close-ups in his interviews…
Just click next thread
Added more pix from Elena — David @ Noche de Gala
Interesting article about how songs get on the radio:
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110916/03140815978/how-payola-works-today-why-you-only-hear-major-label-songs-radio.shtml
The article above references this one: http://blog.tunecore.com/2011/09/how-to-get-your-song-on-commercial-radio.html
Great article by Freo and lots to think about! Something else of interest to me is the perceptions we (virtual fans) may form of one another based upon our posts, blog names and gravatars. It’s hard for me to explain exactly what I mean but as an example, I’ve met several posters at various concerts. Even though we introduced ourselves and shared our “real life” names, I’ve forgotten the real life names; hence, I connect the person with her/his virtual persona. On the other hand, when I’ve met other fans, it felt so strange being called “desertrat” because no one calls me that in my real life.
I’m sure I’ve lost everyone with this rambling post, lol, so have a great Saturday!
A pair of pandoras
When my daughter Lizabeth studied ballet as a child, I spent far too much time worrying that something outside the dance studio might cause some sort of injury.
High heels and ice skating were taboo in the months preceding “The Nutcracker” (she danced several children’s roles in the Ballet Arizona production). Too much potential for spraining an ankle, I thought.
Though Lizabeth rarely took to the rink, a schoolmate named Maddie invited her every year, for several years, to see ice skaters perform in elaborate arena shows. Lizabeth loved watching the ice skaters, having a holiday tradition to look forward to and spending time with Maddie.
I thought of Lizabeth and Maddie when I learned that the “Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments on Ice” show, part of the “Pandora NBC Skating Series,” is coming to the new Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix on Sat, Nov 12. It’ll be taped for national broadcast by NBC on Sun, Nov 27 at 4pm EST.
Kristi Yamaguchi inspires ice skating dreams
The event features Olympic champion Brian Boitano skating to a live holiday music performance split between American Idol alum David Archuleta and Mannheim Steamroller, a group well loved by Lizabeth’s grandparents. Olympic ice skaters Ekaterina Gordeeva, Kimmie Meisner and Michael Weiss are also skating in the show. It’s being hosted by Kristi Yamaguchi, inspiration for many a little girl’s ice skating dreams.
Recently I spoke with Archuleta, who shared that his mother “drug him out on the dance floor” just a few days before. Archuleta grew up in a house full of music and dance — with mom dancing salsa and dad playing jazz.
He’s known to many for achieving top two status on “American Idol” during the show’s seventh season, where he broke young hearts and captured several older ones by singing John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
So how did Archuleta’s own musical journey begin?…
READ MORE -- http://rakstagemom.wordpress.com/tag/david-archuleta/
Added this to the Noche de Gala page
04 Pix thanks to ceinfo
desertrat: You didn’t lose me! I know exactly what you mean. I have an impression of people from their online persona that is imprinted on my brain from long association online. When I have met some, I cannot put that persona together with the live person. It doesn’t fit with my original impression.
Some, like Freo and Rascal, whom I talk with frequently in real life, now have their online persona “overlaid” by their real life persona. When I think of Freo, I can picture her and hear her real voice. But it takes a while. Rascal was particularly hard to adjust to in real life because he seemed scary to me online. (HA!) But he’s not -- he’s just like all the rest of us, who have real lives and jobs and houses to clean and families to deal with. The online persona omits most of that and distorts the reality of a three-dimensional person.
So, you have stated it very well!
More pics for our Noche de Gala page
05 Pix by Nathan Naltchavan; Slideshow created by Janet Donovan from Hollywood on the Potomac
Source: Hollywood on the Potomac
Haven’t posted here lately but doing some online browsing today and caught up on a few recent articles here…this one interesting, Freo. Will digest a bit more later, as I was just about to pull myself away from computer finally, but couldn’t resist commenting on Marlie7’s above….
Rascal could be “scary” sounding ..I came here originally, as many others, intrigued with his writing and viewpoint..even when I might not always agree. I often thought of Rascal as kinda like the “Great Oz” behind the curtain…he could cut you with a comment or sharply make his viewpoint heard…but underneath, most times, I sensed there was the same spirited, sometimes corny passion we all feel about this amazing one singer. LOL…(could be “fightin'” words here), but I mean that in the best way.
Back to the article…I can’t even think about a “mission” or “silence” right now..pang. But…I DO always support David going his own way, with whatEVER is right for him, so I’d have to suck it up. 🙁 I know, after all, he doesn’t ultimately belong to this Fameworld…but his own. I’m happy to get to enjoy the music and all he shares of himself, in the meantime.
Back home to crisp autumn from AZ! I will have a concert review coming soon. Got to shake David’s hand last night. He always gives a good live show.
Sorry about that “middle-aged women” comment in that newspaper article! You never know how the reporter is going to spin the story.