The term 'parasocial' has been crowned the 2025 Word of the Year by Cambridge Dictionary, highlighting a modern phenomenon supercharged by social media. The announcement was made on November 18, 2025, pinpointing how fans form intense, one-sided bonds with celebrities and even artificial intelligence.
What is a Parasocial Relationship?
A parasocial relationship describes the feeling of knowing someone, and believing you have a connection with them, despite having never actually met or spoken. This typically applies to how people feel about celebrities. The concept itself isn't new; the terms 'parasocial interactions' and 'parasocial relationships' were first defined by anthropologist Donald Horton and sociologist R. Richard Wohl back in 1956.
However, Colin McIntosh, Chief Editor at Cambridge Dictionary, noted a significant shift. 'It’s only fairly recently that it’s made a shift into popular language,' he said, 'and it’s one of those words that have been influenced by social media.'
Modern Examples of Parasocial Behaviour
The dictionary pointed to several contemporary examples to illustrate the word's relevance. A key instance was the reaction from Swifties to Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce. Thousands of fans took to TikTok, posting videos of themselves sobbing with joy or collapsing in excitement, with captions like 'I’m so parasocial OH MY GOD.'
Other cited examples included the emotional response to Lily Allen's breakup album, 'West End Girl', and the public's strong feelings about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from royal life. The definition also extends to the emerging trend of people treating AI chatbots as a therapist, friend, or romantic partner.
Social media has fundamentally changed this dynamic. Bloggers and influencers share intimate details of their lives, creating an illusion of a one-to-one conversation that fosters a powerful sense of closeness with their audience.
The Three Levels of Parasocial Relationships
Academics Giles and Maltby, in 2006, outlined three distinct levels of these relationships:
- Entertain/Social: This is the most common level, where you enjoy a celebrity's content and might chat about them with friends, but it doesn't dominate your life.
- Intense/Personal: More common in young teens, this stage involves a strong affinity and obsessive interest in a celebrity's personal life, closely linked to 'stan culture'.
- Borderline Pathological: This is the most dangerous stage, where behaviour can escalate to stalking or fantasies that the celebrity would reciprocate feelings if given the chance.
While the first two stages are generally harmless, it is crucial to recognise when feelings become unhealthy and start to replace genuine human interaction.
Are You in a Parasocial Relationship? A Self-Check
Ask yourself these questions to gauge your own behaviour. A high number of 'yes' answers may indicate it's time to step back:
- Do you regularly check their social media profiles?
- Do you feel you are 'soulmates' or that they would reciprocate your feelings?
- Do you spend significant money on their merchandise?
- Have you neglected real-life relationships for this fandom?
- Do you feel they are talking directly to you through the screen?
It's normal to admire a famous person, but problems arise when these feelings impact your real life. Remember, these figures are people you can never truly know through a phone screen. Focus on nurturing the friendships with people you have actually met.
