Episode 53: From Tiger Beat to Tiger King: The Rise of a GenX Fandom

In this episode, Marc and Kristina explore the difference between fandom, standom, and cults. This episode provides a framework for exploring, once again, the crisis of meaning and the ways in which people look for communities to join and find support and camaraderie. We dig into what defines each branch of admiration and community and we lay the groundwork for the next episode in this series, which will do a deep dive into the rise of a relatively new fandom that has fluoresced around a young Canadian TikTok creator and fledgling model called William White. William, at 21, energized a following that is largely made up of women ranging in age from late 30s to beyond 70 beginning during Memorial Day weekend of 2020. By the time of this publication, the fandom has devolved into warring factions where the daily norm involves leaked personal messages, bullying threats of doxxing, family members being harrassed, coordinated mass reporting of accounts across multiple social media platforms, threats of legal action and death threats. All of this is accomplished in the name of a young man whose consistent message to fans has been to spread joy and positivity and unity.

This is why we can't have nice things, darling.

Research and citations below.

Taylor Swift Fandom: Toxic or Harmless https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U14VPAkhAKg&t=311s

Why Stan Culture is Toxic for Everyone, Including Celebrities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIdR7Er-zkI

NXIVM On Trial produce by the Albay Times Union -- the paper that was publishing negative articles and cautionary tales about Keith Rainere and NXIVM for many years before the downfall

Streaming and Television

HBO's "The Vow" which tells the story of former high level NXIVM members Mark Vicente, Bonnie Piesse, Sarah Edmondson and her husband NIppy

Starz's "Seduced" which tells the story of India Oxenburg and her Journey into and out of the NXIVM cult

Taylor Swift Worshipped by NeoNazis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEdAtX_ze68&t=35s

Imaginary Friends and Real World Consequences: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22yoaiLYb7M&t=285s

The Meaning Crisis for Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaXWUE1SXpI&t=199s

Why do People Join Cults (Ted Ed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB-dJaCXAxA

Are Fandoms Good or Unhealthy Obsessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onxeBOnjWnU

Fraade-Blanar, Zoe. Superfandom: How Our Obsessions are Changing What We Buy and Who We Are

Berman, Sarah. Don't Call it a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM

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