They’re content creators with thousands of adoring fans – so why do they feel so terrible?
Recent research finds that becoming too psychologically entangled with your followers can make success feel like a trap.
Many artists who have amassed huge followings on social media have found that their success is accompanied by an unexpected cost – a feeling of being suffocated by their fans. For many, the very thing they once cherished – their large, adoring audience – has become a prison that limits their creativity and well-being. Mark, an illustrator with millions of fans, describes his once-enjoyed work as a "bane" and wonders what he should do with his life now that it has become a burden.
This phenomenon, dubbed "audience entanglement," affects creators from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender or nationality. Content creation is now a multi-billion dollar industry, with some estimates suggesting it will grow to half a trillion dollars in the coming years. Despite the potential for financial success, the psychological costs of maintaining this level of public adulation can be immense.
Creators often feel like they are "contorting" themselves to fit the expectations of their audience, suppressing their true selves in order to please their followers. This can lead to a constant state of hypersensitivity to feedback, both positive and negative, and a deep sense of entanglement with their audience. While some creators find ways to shift from this entangled state to a healthier dynamic, for many, the pressure of their audience remains an insurmountable obstacle, leading to creative paralysis and an unsustainable path to success.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.