We are all a fan of something, be it basketball, cigars, or chocolate. And most of us are fans of certain professional athletes, musicians, or celebrities. We enjoy these things and admire these people for one reason or another. But, like everything else in life, too much of something can be bad. An occasional wine drinker may become a wine lover if they increase their intake and interest in wine. However this may lead to something more serious if the wine lover becomes addicted and dependent on it ("Hi, my name is Bob and I'm an alcoholic"). The fine line between these three levels of interest is similar to that of a fan. A young child's fascination and admiration for his/her favorite athlete can increase drastically as he/she gets older and becomes more in tuned with the game and the favorite athlete's overall success; however, this admiration and support can take a drastic turn and become an unhealthy obsession if the fan gets too caught up in this athlete's life and game. The fan can become a groupie, or even worse, a STAN... which is defined by the urban dictionary as "an overzealous maniacal fan for any celebrity or athlete" and "an over obsessed fan to the point of following a star around". So how do we distinguish between the FAN, the GROUPIE, and the STALKER (aka the STAN, stalker + fan = stan)? I decided the best way to answer that question was to observe people easily recognized and admired within our city as they interacted with their fans.
The ATHLETE/CELEB:
Take a moment to notice the details of this photo, taken last weekend at the Rose Festival here in Portland, OR with The SHOW's most recent in-studio guest, Portland Trailblazer Travis Outlaw. I had the opportunity to observe how he and other local athletes interacted with the fans, and boy was it interesting! Hours of autograph signing, photo taking, and child petting while trying to enjoy the rides and games at the fair didn't seem to faze them as they successfully acknowledged every fan, groupie, and stalker that approached them with a warm smile. The group of friends and family seemed more exhausted watching them be mobbed by fans every 5 seconds, yet they refused to turn anyone down. Every prize won by the athlete or anyone in his group was given to a young child. The look of astonishment and gratitude painted on the faces of both the lucky child and their parents was priceless, and the athletes seemed to be a bigger attraction than any ride or game at the fair, as I overheard numerous phone calls of excited fans inviting more people to come see the basketball players at the Rose Festival. But in addition to the many fans, I witnessed a few encounters with some potential groupies (both male and female), which leads me back to the above photo.
Level I: The FAN
Several things come to mind when I look at this photo... I wonder what these two men who appear to be polar opposites are doing taking a giant photo button at the fair together in bright matching shades. Common sense would suggest that this tall dark kid must be somebody the grown white man admires, and further speculation may tell us that fans are getting bolder and going beyond the old fashioned autograph request of athletes and celebs. The fact that this fan didn't merely ask for an autograph or camera phone picture with Travis indicates he might be MORE than a fan. A FAN admires, appreciates, and respects the pro athlete/celeb. A fan may show support for a certain pro athlete or team by attending games and appearances, or wearing clothing and accessories bearing the the team logo. In the case of celebs such as musicians or bands, fans show support by attending concerts or buying records. Fans can be passionate about their love and support for their favorite team and athletes, however, if this passion becomes a little over the top, we tend to consider this fan a groupie. The grown-man-fan pictured above made his request to do a photo button immediately after Travis and his friends had taken one. It was surprising... but perhaps the most surprising part was his whisper to one of Travis's buddies "hey man, you think I can borrow those shades?" Grown-man-fan stepped it up a notch with his no holds barred requests to look like he was part of Travis's group. He didn't want to be just another fan in line for an autograph, or a sideline fan clicking away on his camera phone, instead, he went above and beyond to stand out from the rest. So does that make grown-man-fan a groupie?
Level II: the GROUPIE
We normally consider groupies to be those girls who herd around to every game, concert, or public appearance just to seize the opportunity to throw themselves at any athlete, rapper, or celeb in sight... begging security to let them stand just a teeny bit closer to the famous person in hopes of catching his attention. Some of these groupies may jump from one pro athlete/celeb to the next, and some may never get the chance to even make eye contact with their favorite person. Some groupies are more desperate than others, pushing through the stampede of fellow groupies to "holla" at their target. Majority of these groupies have one thing on their mind when they chase pro-athletes/celebs: MONEY. Sadly it is because these groupies don't quite understand their own self worth. The value of the dollar signs and the music video dream of being part of the famous person's harem appeals to them so much that they give up their self respect if asked. Not to say the groupies who do make it on the tour bus, the private jet, or the mansion parties ever really become more than a one night fling, but, hey, some people dream big, right? Ummm, RIGHT. Well, I can tell you that times have changed and those stereotypical groupies have been joined by a new breed of heterosexual males. I call them the "male groupies".... boys/men who have gone beyond being fans. These male groupies want so badly to be seen around the athlete or celeb, so they do whatever it takes to TRY to fit in. Indeed I have experienced first hand how far some male groupies will go to feel like they are hanging out with their favorite athlete or celeb. I am not trying to criticize these boys/men, or suggest that they are as emotionally insecure, desperate and shallow minded as their female counterparts (ok, that was a bit harsh, I apologize for my brutally honest opinion). My point is mainly to show that both men and women have gone beyond fan status. They have become GROUPIES. The female groupies offer their bodies and self respect for bragging rights (ex: "girl did you see me grindin' all up on __insert athlete or celeb here__? He had his hands all up on my booty, I think he wants me! I can’t believe a real famous person actually wants MEEEEE! How's my hair?"). The male groupies bow down and bend over as far as they can in hopes of tagging along and "looking" cool enough to be seen around the famous person (ex: "Hey dude, I bought you a drink, man I have a bunch of chicks that wanna party with you so how bout I roll with you tonight? You're my favorite __player/actor/rapper__, man, you should gimme your number and we can hang out 'cuz, man, I love your __game/music/skills__)." The female-groupies flaunt themselves (whether or not they are "flauntable"), the male-groupies desperately smother and cling and kiss butt. In both cases, it starts off as fan appreciation and admiration then escalates to fan OVER appreciation and OVER admiration, till it reaches fan OBSESSION. Ugh. Seriously, really?
Level III: the STALKER (aka the STAN)
When a fan becomes overly obsessed with an athlete or celeb, they take on a new title. A title that raises eyebrows and often sends shivers down our spines. The dreaded STALKER (aka the STAN) is the extreme version of the fan. A stalker may be discreet, keeping secret stashes of photos, newspaper clippings, dvr footage of their "idol", and go about their stalkerish ways in secret. Other stalkers are more vocal, liberal, and blatantly public with their unhealthy obsession over their favorite person. No one wants to be the victim of a stalker, but pro athletes and celebs are probably more accustomed to the stalker type fans. An average person doesn’t necessarily expect to have their every move followed by a stalker, nor do they know what they should do in the event that they discover they have a stalker (besides the obvious 911 call). Pro athletes and celebs on the other hand, are probably more prepared and have people who take care of stalker situations and threats. Some celebs, like rap artist Eminem, even write songs about their stalkers (coincidentally, this song is entitled "STAN").
Attention from fans is definitely a two edged sword for pro athletes and celebs alike. It is flattering to know people admire them and support them in their careers; however the price of fame can also be costly. For every 1,000 fans there are probably 5 haters, so with the love and appreciation also come the negative criticism and blatant jealousy. Pro athletes and celebs are regular people just like you and I, but their fame and status tends to blind a lot of their fans into thinking they are superhuman or something. I feel sorry for these disillusioned fans and sorry for the athletes/celebs that have to endure constant criticism and "love" from fans.
Even I have experienced both the criticism and love from fans, and I definitely do not consider myself a celeb, but my role as a Blazerdancer has made me somewhat recognizable to a few people. The more we are exposed to the public, the more attention we receive from them. Back in 2001 (my first year dancing with the Blazers), the Blazerdancers were not as "popular" as they are now in 2009. Don't get me wrong, The team back in those days was amazing and highly regarded as one of the NBA's top dance teams, however our fans only saw us at Blazer games or out in the community for special events or promotions. This past season, however, the Blazerdancers have been featured in a Comcast reality show "Making The Sweet Sixteen", and the Blazer team's success this season has increased Portland's awareness of both the team and the Blazerdancers. And like I said earlier, with the fans, come the haters. I may not have experienced the extent of attention, both positive and negative, that pro athletes and celebs receive on a daily basis, but it does weird me out a little bit when random strangers come up to me in the most unlikely places and start talking to me about the season or my daughter or how dancing goes.... haha! At the gas station, the grocery store, the gym, or even crossing the street in the pearl district, I have had numerous occurrences where fans recognize me (and no, I don't walk around in Blazer costumes or carry my flashy pom poms with me around town!). It usually catches me off guard when people recognize me, but I have nothing but appreciation and genuine surprise when this happens. I am proud of my team, I am proud to represent the Blazerdancers, and I am thankful we have so many amazing fans. As for the haters that come along with those fans, I just smile and nod. There's nothing I can do to change their opinions about me or my team, but I am confident that these haters just hate because they don't know me or my teammates. They hate because they are jealous, and their verbal bashing and anonymous hateful blogging (YES, I'm talking to you girls) is actually quite empowering. Their intentions may be to tear down or create insecurities, but any confident and psychologically sound person is aware of these mind games and can easily laugh it off (HAHA!). I have learnt to consider it a compliment that these haters are so hateful. We must be doing something right or they would not take the time and energy to try smearing our names. It's GREAT to have fans, a little weird to have groupies, and luckily for me, I haven't dealt with too many stalkers (although there have been a few.... but I wont get into that now).
Whether this special attention comes from a fan, a groupie, or a stalker, it is still attention. Some love it, and some don't. During our June 3rd segment of The SHOW on 95.5. the GAME, Travis called this special attention from fans a “blessing”. I admire this perspective because he doesn't seem to take it for granted like many other pro athletes and celebs are notorious for doing. Perhaps that giant photo button with Travis and grown-man-fan (or "STAN", if you will) is on display somewhere for grown-man-fan and all his friends to remember the day he met Portland Trailblazer #25. Or perhaps it serves as evidence that fans of today are getting more creative and going to more extremes to get attention from their favorite athletes and celebs. Either way I’m sure that giant photo button made his day and he is likely to remain a true fan… or groupie…. or STAN.
