In today's celebrity‑ and influencer‑driven culture, psychologists are increasingly interested in why people form strong emotional connections with famous figures, finding that celebrity admiration is closely linked to how clearly people understand themselves.
A new international study led by researchers from Flinders University in Australia and researchers in Budapest, and published in the scientific journal Personality and Individual Differences, suggests that people who feel less certain about who they are may look to celebrities to help find their identity.
Director of the Flinders Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Matthew Flinders Professor Zsolt Demetrovics, says the findings show celebrity worship is often less about fame itself and more about deeper questions of personal direction, autonomy and self‑understanding.
"Celebrity admiration is a very normal experience, especially in a world where celebrities are constantly visible online," says Professor Demetrovics, principal investigator from Australia.
"Our findings suggest that people who are less certain about who they are may be more likely to look to admired public figures for guidance, inspiration or a sense of stability," adds Associate Professor Ágnes Zsila, a psychologist and principal investigator from Hungary.
The research analysed data from two large studies involving more than 1,800 adult fans, including one derived from a nationally representative sample. Across both studies, people with a less clearly defined sense of self were more likely to feel strong emotional connections to celebrities, whether for enjoyment, social connection or more intense personal reasons.
The study also examined whether unmet psychological needs help explain this relationship, finding that people who felt unsure about their sense of self and frustrated by a lack of independence or control in their lives were more likely to engage with celebrities for entertainment and social reasons.
Professors Demetrovics and Zsila, with lead author Rita Horváth say that celebrity admiration can serve a compensatory role when people are struggling with their identity or autonomy.
"When people experience uncertainty about who they are or feel they lack control in their everyday lives, celebrities can come to represent confidence, success and direction," says Associate Professor Zsila from ELTE Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary.
"Identifying with those qualities can offer a temporary sense of clarity or agency, especially during times of social or personal uncertainty."
The researchers emphasised that most forms of celebrity admiration are not harmful and often coexist with healthy relationships and wellbeing.
"Our findings are not about judging fans," says Professor Demetrovics. "They're about understanding the psychological factors that shape how people relate to public figures."
"Celebrity worship exists on a spectrum. For many people, it's simply enjoyable and socially shared. Understanding the role of identity helps explain why these connections can feel more meaningful for some people at different points in their lives."
