Celebrities have become huge central figures in our society today. From musicians to actors, artists to influencers – many people find themselves being fans of at least one celebrity.
Being a fan of someone famous is not a bad thing, there are many talented people in the world who are deserving of the attention they receive. I myself am a fan of multiple different musicians, authors, and artists.
However, there needs to be a balance struck between supporting the artist, and enjoying the art they create.
Separating the art from the artist is a belief that springs up whenever controversy arises. It is a good practice to uphold as we should be able to think objectively about the creators we support.
One instance of separating the art from the artist, is the case of J.K. Rowling. As the author of the “Harry Potter” series, Rowling amassed a large following throughout the years. Many have grown up with the novels and movies, and have a lot of nostalgia built up in regards to the series.
In 2019, a series of transphobic tweets by Rowling caused many fans to (rightfully so), withdraw their support. While many were able to separate J.K. Rowling from her most famous works and still enjoy the series – others saw it as an all or nothing situation. Some former fans may no longer support Rowling as a creator; however, they still support the “Harry Potter” franchise. These fans began to create their own short stories surrounding the world, and even created their own merchandise that didn’t support Rowling.
Many fans even decided to only purchase Rowling’s works second-hand in order to ensure she saw none of the profits.
By separating the art from the artist, it allows fans to enjoy the content without going against their morals. Many of us, myself included, have content that is near and dear to our hearts. Whether it’s books, television shows, or music – we all have gotten through hard times with the help of an artist’s content.
It is not always easy to separate the artist from their art. Many consumers want to connect with the artist who created something they love, and the idea of separating the two is hard to swallow.
However, with some celebrities, it can be easier to withdraw support if their views are harshly contrasting to your own – or if they’ve done something unredeemable.
One might say this is the product of “cancel culture,” and the desire to silence those who have opposing views. In my point of view, I can withdraw support from celebrities and artists whenever I see fit.
At the end of the day, even the artists we love the most, are still just regular people. They’re talented people of course – but they’re not immune to critique.
We as consumers have to be able to separate the art from the artist. We are not always going to have views that completely align with celebrities, and we must determine where we draw the line of support.