Extreme fans might tie their own identity, self-worth, and meaningfulness to the celebrity.

Celebrity stalking is uncommon and is usually more innocuous that stalking in personal relationship context.

Social media normalizes breach of psychological boundaries promoting celebrity-bashing.

Celebrities' mental health may be impacted by fans' breaching the physical and psychological boundaries.

Ariana Grande recently announced that she wishes to “step back from visibility.” The public statement said that “she looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.” A follow-up statement added: “Boundaries can need to be set.”

The announcement highlights the complicated balance between celebrity status, fandom, and the well-being of fans and celebrities alike. Where, indeed, are these boundaries? How are they set and what are their implications for mental health?

Celebrity Boundary Violations: Physical vs. Psychological

Audiences have the power to create and maintain a celebrity’s status. Fans’ activity is the economic fuel of the celebrity industry, and fans may therefore feel entitled to violate celebrities’ psychological and physical boundaries.

One way they do this is by seeking physical proximity, often more than celebrities wish to give—for example, by forcing personal interactions when incidentally encountering a celebrity in a public space. Celebrities have often lamented........

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