As Australia slowly recovers from the Taylor Swift cyclone that swept through Melbourne and Sydney just a few weeks ago, there is one question on every non-Swiftie’s mind.
What on earth was that all about?
Swiftmania was well and truly alive in the hearts and minds of all of her fans, with shocking footage of emotional – and sometimes even downright hysterical – fans revealing just how much of a chokehold Taylor has on her followers.
For those of us who are not self-proclaimed Swifties, the spectacle of it all may be mind-boggling, but this is not the first or the last time we have witnessed this kind of pandemonium.
Looking back at old grainy footage from when historical musical legends like The Beatles, Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson were touring Australia, there are striking similarities to be witnessed in the faces of the fans.
Although they might have given away their 60s beehive hairdos and sharp Priscilla-style eyeliner in favour of the ultra-modern ‘clean girl aesthetic’, their undying love and sheer dedication to their idols has remained exactly the same.
Crying, screaming, fainting – all things you can expect see at any major superstar’s show throughout history, with Taylor Swift being no exception.
Australian fans filmed themselves having severe visceral reactions to the singer coming on stage, while others went to extreme lengths to spot the star while she was out and about during her time down under.
But how do we know when one’s passionate adoration for a celebrity crosses the line into something a bit more sinister?
When does obsessive fandom step over into ‘dangerous stalker’ territory?
Some crazed fans will think nothing of sitting outside their favourite celebrity’s house or hotel for hours to catch a glimpse of them, before wildly snapping photos and screaming in excitement as they follow them up the street.
Can you even imagine if a stranger did that to an ordinary, non-famous citizen? No doubt the cops would be called and stalking charges laid.
Taylor Swift herself has dealt with her share of stalkers over the years, including one recently who was arrested three times in five days for lurking outside her New York home.
Seattle resident David Crowe now faces numerous charges, including stalking, harassment and criminal contempt, according to USA Today.
He has been since outside Swift’s house at least 30 times in a matter of weeks, even going through the star’s rubbish bin.
Rise of ‘Celebrity Worship Syndrome’
While frenzied fans have always existed, it is not until the 21st century that experts have been able to put a label on those especially wild cases of celebrity obsession.
Celebrity worship syndrome is a type of obsessive addictive disorder in which a person becomes overly involved with the details of a famous person’s personal and professional life.
“Celebrity worship syndrome is not a clinical diagnosis, however it is a term used to describe a set of behaviours that centre a fixation on celebrities,” Melbourne based psychologist Carly Dober explained to News.com.au.
“This is a one sided, non-reciprocal parasocial relationship that involves compulsive, addictive, and obsessive thoughts and behaviours.
“While many of us might be interested in celebrities, celebrity worship syndrome exists on the extreme end of the spectrum and can impact someone’s relationships, finances, work, study, and health.”
Ms Dober explained that this type of disorder could become dangerous and urged anyone who feels they may be struggling with this to seek help.
“Celebrity worship syndrome becomes dangerous when you start to feel entitled to this persons time, and believe that they need to meet you and have you in their life to whatever degree,” she said.
“Research tells us that individuals who think about their favourite celebrities frequently feel compelled to learn more about them, pursue them consistently, threaten to harm them and are prone to boredom are more likely to stalk their favourite celebrities.
“So if these behaviours are something you notice in yourself, it might be time to seek external support.”
She also pointed out five signs that a fan’s obsession could be morphing into stalker behaviour.
“Stalking involves behaviours including, but not limited to, unwanted contact including phone calls, texts, and contact via social media, unwanted gifts, showing up/approaching an individual or their family/friends, monitoring, surveillance, property damage, and threats,” she explained.
“If you notice any of these behaviours, it might mean you are crossing over from fan behaviour to potential stalking behaviour.”
The Swiftie phenomenon
Australia’s powerful reaction to Taylor Swift perfectly demonstrated the depths some would go to see their idol in the flesh.
The singer attracted more than 600,000 fans to attend her seven shows, while thousands more who missed out on tickets excitedly sat outside the stadiums during her performances.
The seas of Swifties donning sparkly outfits, bejewelled bags, glittery faces and dozens of friendship bracelets represented a powerful type of fandom rarely seen in modern times.
Pop culture and Gen Z expert Milly Bannister helped to explain some of the psychology behind what is going on in the hearts and minds of a Swiftie.
“Taylor Swift’s fiercely loyal fans are an incredible case study in fandom,” she said.
“The dedicated community that has formed around her is one for the history books and really is something to behold.
“I do think however that beyond the love of Taylor and her music, the fandom itself offers enormous benefit to those who are part of it.
“The community is a space for creative expressions, friendships forming, shared language and understanding and connection via a shared interest and dedication.
“It provides some with a true sense of identity and belonging, which at the end of the day is what we’re all looking for. It is very appealing.”
Ms Bannister, who runs a Gen Z mental health charity called ALLKND, also cited Swift’s humanness and relatability that she expresses in her songwriting as a major reason behind her popularity.
“We know she is special for different reasons to different people, but ultimately, the way she remains relatable through her lyrics and storytelling is a huge factor in her success,” she said.
“She’s vulnerable with us in her music and therefore we feel connected to her and less isolated from each other. We feel as though part of our identity and self-concept has been shaped by her and her music.
“There’s also the sense of nostalgia associated with this marking of time and growth, which she’s definitely capitalised on in the Eras Tour.
“She has made attending her show irresistible, for her fans to celebrate not just the experience of seeing this person that they love so much in the flesh, but also to ceremonialise their own stories that each of her songs are tied to.”
Ms Bannister also warned of the possibility of an individual’s fandom morphing into something that may be unhealthy or dangerous.
“There is a point where admiration or fascination becomes excessive or harmful to an individual’s wellbeing,” she said.
“We have seen examples of this at its worst throughout history, unfortunately. These individuals may benefit from seeking guidance from a mental health professional.”