"Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story."
"Parasocial' is defined as a connection someone feels between themselves and a famous person they do not know. The rise of one-sided parasocial relationships has redefined fandom and celebrity, psychologists have observed. For instance, when pop star Taylor Swift and American footballer Travis Kelce announced their engagement earlier this year, many fans felt a strong connection to them despite most not having met them."
The Independent sends reporters to cover major US issues including reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, and relies on reader donations to sustain on-the-ground journalism free of paywalls. The outlet emphasizes interviewing both sides and producing documentaries that spotlight affected communities. Cambridge Dictionary named 'parasocial' its 2025 word of the year and defined it as a one-sided connection between a person and a famous individual they do not know. The rise of parasocial relationships has reshaped fandom and celebrity, with examples in reactions to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement and in bonds formed with online influencers and AI chatbots, mirrored by spikes in dictionary lookups.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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