The Stages of Becoming a Fangirl

There are certain traits and abilities that most people are born with that are genetically impossible for others to achieve. For example, you are either born with the ability to curl your tongue or you aren’t. Some people can whistle Jason Derulo’s “Talk Dirty To Me” forward and backward while other people can’t produce a single cat call whistle. Some people can draw, sing, play a sport effortlessly, etc. But let us talk about the extreme minority in this world. Some people can simply just like something or take a very casual interest in something. However, some people physically CAN’T. They can’t just enjoy a singer, band, movie, book series, actress, actor, or even a fictional character. They have to LOVE THEM.

They are the fangirls.

The term fangirl is thrown around a bit these days, so let us first analyze exactly what a fangirl is. I consulted the extremely credible Urban Dictionary.com for a description and these are the results:

1. “A rabid breed of human female who is obesessed with either a fictional character or an actor. Similar to the breed of fanboy. Fangirls congregate at anime conventions and livejournal. Have been known to glomp, grope, and tackle when encountering said obsessions.”

2. “A female who has overstepped the line between healthy fandom and indecent obsession.”

Well. I’m not particularly sure what ‘glomp’ is, but the other stuff seems pretty spot on. It sounds exhausting doesn’t it? It is sounds like it would be. So just how do people let themselves get to that level of obsession? How do they get from hearing a song on the radio to naming their future children with one of the singers? What is it like to be completely obsessed and devoted to someone that you haven’t met? Well, I happen to know a “friend” that knows a “friend” who knows of “someone” who is a fangirl, and I was lucky enough to ask her a few questions on the life of a fan girl. Just keep an open mind. They live a tough life. (I mean they probably do. I wouldn’t know, I’ve never loved anything). This is the process of becoming a fangirl.

It all starts with the introduction

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Every fangirl remembers the first time they saw, heard, or read about their new obsession. It’s basically just as important as becoming engaged. Maybe you’re in the car and you hear a new song on the radio. Perhaps you pick up a new book from a hit series in the “Young Adult” section of your local Barnes and Noble. It could be that you stalk a British music competition show. Regardless of how you are introduced to your new obsession you ARE, and there is no turning back.

You decide to do a little research on the topic

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I heard that some people’s idea of researching their topic is binge watching interviews and “funniest moment” compilation videos on YouTube during an 11 hour overnight shift at the airport. Sounds rough.

And are so overwhelmed by everything you’ve missed and all the details you don’t know

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When is his birthday? Social security number? His childhood’s best friend’s name is what? Are they still in contact? Why not? NO HE DID NOT. Where did he work? He dated WHO? But she’s so old. Is that legal? *Googles* Oh, okay it is. They broke up anyway? Sheesh.

Finally, there is one moment. A moment. THE moment. You realize you are hooked

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Mothers often explain the beauty of “and the doctor placed you in my arms for the first time and I knew I loved you more than anything else in the world and that my life finally had meaning”, and I expect the moment you realize you love your fangirl obsession to be basically the same thing.

But then the bliss is over and you are overwhelmed

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You want to take it all back. Return to a simpler life. You are constantly thinking about it. Talking about it. Tweeting about it. Your world centers around it. When you think about it you get an overwhelming emotion that you can’t really describe, but after a while you learn that you are just experiencing something all fangirls do.

You have your first set of “THE FEELS”

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You can’t really tell if you love them or are IN love with them. The only thing you are sure about is that they are the most beautiful and perfect specimen you’ve ever laid eyes on and you just want them so be as happy as they make you. Weird.

They just keep piling on

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It’s like a weight on your chest, but you get used to it.

You learn that there are others like you: the Fandom

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You are welcomed with open arms. They understand you. You probably find a friend just obsessed with whatever you fancy and you are so relieved because you finally have someone to talk about it with 24/7 without being judged. Bliss baby.

And suddenly you are proud of being a fangirl and of your dedication

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What did you do this weekend? Oh went to a bar? Cool. Well I wrote two new fanfics about a character from a wizarding world that doesn’t exist sooooo…