Fangirling: v.// the reaction a fangirl has to any mention or sighting of the object of her “affection.” These reactions include shortness of breath, fainting, high pitched noises, shaking, fierce head shaking as if in the midst of a seizure, endless blog posts, etc.
n.// a girl or woman who is an extremely or overly enthusiastic fan of someone or something.
Nothing can contain the excitement that takes over when it comes to hot guys who can sing or play an instrument. From James Bay, to The 1975, to One Direction, millions of girls, including myself, continually find themselves “fangirling” over male artists.
The first time I ever fell in love with a celebrity, I was 12 years old, and he was Nick Jonas. I first saw him on Disney Channel when they played the Jonas Brothers music video for their first hit single, "Hold On." It seems like a lifetime ago -- he was such a skinny little boy with curls and his brothers around him and now he’s a sexy solo act that I still, to this day, cannot get enough of Nick Jonas.
My days of watching Disney Channel are gone now (for the most part), but my love for musicians is just as strong. In 2012, I fell head over heels in love with One Direction and I’m not ashamed of it. Cute, British boys who sing songs about how beautiful you are -- how does anyone not love them? Now, I’m a fresh faced 18 year old, almost 19 and about to be a freshman in college and still, I find myself playing their new album on repeat and their hiatus still brings me to tears. Every time I think I am getting too old and am no longer in love with them anymore, I watch old videos of them doing something stupid or watch one of their amazing music videos and I’m a girl blinded by their Britishness all over again.
One Direction constantly hits a soft spot in my heart; October 3rd, 2014 was probably the best day of my life. After waiting a year, and through an hour of traffic, my best friend and I rushed to our seats and waited to see our favorite bands: 5 Seconds of Summer and the one and only, One Direction. Sitting in the stadium waiting for the night to begin, I sat and thought of how far they have come and sat in awe in a sold out Raymond James Stadium (which sat 65,890). From starting as hopefully solo artists, to an international sensation, they have impacted not only the music business but individuals around the world. There was so much to take in. Seeing as that was my third time seeing the boys, I, without fail, still got chills when they performed. I would soon find out this concert was different than the rest. A couple months later, one less member, and the news of their hiatus, I realized this would be my last time seeing them for awhile.
Recently, the crazed heartthrobs of the fangirl community consist of Matty Healy from The 1975, Twenty One Pilots, and Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco, but personally my favorites that I find myself fangirling over are the guys of the smaller bands including: Mikel VK of Night Riots, Tim Johnson of the Griswolds, and Alex Caplow of Magic Man. It's more than looks that attract young girls to these bands. It's the music and the way people connect emotionally to the lyrics and the people singing them. I've gotten to know some bands personally over the years and there is one quote from my favorite movie, "Almost Famous," that sums up my infatuation, "I could have normal friends, but famous people are just more interesting."
I’ve become the person I am today through music. I’ve seen the impact that music has not only on the listener themselves, but also the emotional state of listeners. Music can change someone's day or life. Everyone has something they love and always talk about; whether it’s clothes, sports, books, cooking, or knitting, and that one thing they love makes them the person they are. That something for me is music. I have learned to discover and find something you love and support and make an impact with that. My love of music and seeing the difference and effects it has on someone and how it influences others has shaped me into the person I am now, and I always just want to share the joy that music brings me to others and hope they either find the same love in music, or hope it leads them to find something they love as well, and to not be ashamed to share it. Music has introduced me to some amazing people and has allowed me to visit amazing places. Music has provided me the opportunity to explore new cultures, interact with new groups of people to raise awareness, and change the lens through which I see the world. These experiences not only changed my perspective but opened up new outlets for me to learn and grow, and expand my sphere of influence and ones that I'll carry with me to Ole Miss and beyond.
The connections made between fans and a band is one that most people don't understand, but if you find it, never let it go.
