THE FANGIRL dilemma

ARTICLE BY EMMA CLARE BARRASSO, SMITHTOWN, NY

WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT BEING LABELED?

Fangirls are misunderstood.

Yes, you read that correctly. Fangirls are misunderstood.

The girls with the One Direction posters all over their rooms. The girls that live in Taylor Swift merchandise. The girls that worship Harry Styles. They are misunderstood.

Fangirls have thrived for decades.

When I think of early fangirls, The Beatles come to mind.

I have no doubt that the girls who screamed and sobbed for The Beatles were mocked, ridiculed, and labeled as “crazy.” But, as time passed, The Beatles were named the most successful band of all time. The root of their success? Fangirls.

Perhaps think of Elvis Presley. His fans were just as dedicated but labeled as “deranged” and “out of their minds.” Now? Elvis has earned the title “The King of Rock N’ Roll.”

I can’t help but wonder, was the only reason these artists, among many others, earned these prestigious titles because men began to recognize them? Was this yet another example of misogyny in the music industry? When will people begin to realize that fangirls know what they’re talking about? Prince…

Micheal Jackson...

They’ve been supporting these music industry heroes since day one.

Yet every time a new artist has a predominantly female following, they aren’t taken as seriously. Think about Harry Styles. I’m sure you’ve heard that name everywhere recently.

He started with a solo audition on “X Factor,” eventually pairing up with other contestants forming the band “One Direction.” This band became famous for its army of fangirls. Once again, being labeled as “crazy.” Since the band split in 2015, Harry Styles has gone up to the top of the industry, taking his “Directioners” with him and gaining even more of a following.

He currently is the fourth most listened-to artist on Spotify and is in the middle of a world tour, selling out Wembley Stadium twice and performing 15 nights at Madison Square Garden.

Who did all of this success start out with? The “Directioners.” The fangirls.

Because of these fangirls who are derided at every turn, artists like Styles have been exposed to everyone, even people who might have written them off just for being a pop singers.

So, why should a girl be scoffed at by a man wearing an AC/DC t-shirt in a record store for picking up a pop album? Why should a girl have to listen to a man go on a harangue about how his pretentious music taste is superior to hers?

Why can’t a girl be able to enjoy the rush of nostalgia or joy a certain artist gives her without worrying about being labeled?

Fangirls’ music tastes aren’t taken seriously. You hear they like one artist and you assume you know everything about them. Maybe the girl with the One Direction posters also likes Metallica. What if the girl who lives in Taylor Swift merchandise also likes Blondie? Maybe the girl who worships Harry Styles also likes Fleetwood Mac.

So, next time you talk to a fangirl, hear them out and make no assumptions — because history has shown that they know what they’re talking about.