As a preteen, I was a die-hard fan of Bush, particularly the band’s lead singer, Gavin Rossdale. I spent countless hours scouring the internet for anything related to the band, even though the internet was slow and not as readily accessible as it is now. While I harboured some jealousy towards Gwen Stefani for being with Gavin, I never sent her any online threats. Back then, such behaviour was considered unhinged, and the slow internet speed made instant harassment nearly impossible.
Fast forward to today, and the internet has become a breeding ground for harassment. Fans of all ages can easily become obsessed with their favourite celebrities and engage in toxic fandom. A prime example of this is the feud between Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez’s fans. The two women have been pitted against each other because they both dated Justin Bieber, who is now married to Hailey. This fake feud has been amplified on social media platforms like TikTok, which love to push divisive content that drives engagement.
Gomez fans have relentlessly attacked Bieber, who has repeatedly pleaded with them to stop. However, her requests have fallen on deaf ears. In a recent incident, fans at a Justin Bieber concert chanted derogatory remarks about Hailey. Such harassment can be unbearable, regardless of how rich or famous the victim is.
