What Does it Mean to Be a Fake Fan?

Image Courtesy: The Culture Trip

Let me set the scene. You’re sitting in your favorite coffee shop getting coffee, reading a book, or getting some homework done, and a song comes through the speakers that immediately fills your brain. It’s got this groovy, driving beat, and when the verse comes, you cannot believe what you’re hearing. You’ve got to have that song, but there is no clue in your head about whose song it may be. So, you get your trusty Shazam out. You don’t recognize the band, but add the song anyway because it’s so good. Next thing you know, you play this song on the aux only to be met with questions like: “Oh my god, you know this band?!” or “Do you know [insert other song names by the same band] by them too?” The second you explain that you don’t know the band but love the song, you are suddenly a “fake fan.” But why is that a problem?

Being labeled a “fake fan” happens in niche communities all across the board, not just the music community. It can happen anywhere. The general concept of being a fake fan stems from liking something you’re “not supposed to like” or “not allowed to like.” People see that you are starting to like something that they are already an avid fan of and label you as a fake fan. Thus, being a fake fan becomes a negative thing, and people naturally shy away from it. This, in turn, incites fear in the hearts of those looking to expand their interests. No one should be nervous about gaining interest in a certain thing, and no one should worry about what people might say about them if they’re not as big of a fan as the next guy.

After doing a little bit of research and finding out what other people had to say about being a “fake fan” and what that means, I have found that the entire concept is pretty much bull. Many people realize that others tend to label you as a fake fan just because you are not as big of a fan as them. You might still be a fan, but you must be a faker since you don’t know as much as them. Everyone I have talked to regarding what being a fake fan is and why it seems to be such a big deal in today’s society agreed that the concept is tired and redundant. The reasoning behind why people resort to calling others fake fans is very selfish. People just want certain things all to themselves. You don’t have to know every single fact about a band and its members or every single background fact about a movie to be a “real” fan.

Now, of course, there are people out there who pretend they like something just to fit into a particular community. There is a simple solution to this. If you don’t like something, don’t pretend to. We, as humans, tend to convince ourselves that we like something to fit in. Maybe our friends like this thing, so we want to enjoy it as well so as not to be cast out. Most of the time, we might not even know we are doing this. But really, if you like what you like openly, you will find people who like the same things as you. This all being said, it really is nobody’s business to judge who is a real fan or a fake fan of something. You can like your band, movie, show, or whatever it is without analyzing everyone else who likes it. 

Strike Out, 

Ryan Manney 

Boca Raton

Ryan Manney is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. His hobbies amount to surfing, skating, writing, reading, and everything music. When he isn’t surfing, he loves watching and/or playing live music. He also likes to wear cool clothes! You can reach him on instagram @ryanmanney or email @ r.manney3@gmail.com