First place winner for infographic and editorial cartoon in the California College Media Association 2025 Publication Awards at the Associated Collegiate Press Spring 2025 Conference in Long Beach, California.

First place winner for informational graphic in the Journalism Association of Community Colleges 2025 SoCal Publication Awards at the Associated Collegiate Press Spring 2025 Conference in Long Beach, California.

Some of you love them—some of you won’t admit that you love them. When it comes to celebrities, we can’t help but tune in, and neither can the rest of social media. From talk-of-the-town scandals to jaw-dropping red carpet looks, public figures are so relevant in pop culture, they become irresistible to stay away from. As fawning over viral internet personas becomes even more accessible than ever, this raises a critical question: what level of privacy should celebrities expect?

Good luck, Babe! Enter Chappell Roan. The rising star opened this can of worms earlier this year in a TikTok rant revealing her frustrations with obsessive fan interactions in public, with some fans going as far as stalking and demanding hugs when she was out with her family. In a recent CNN interview, she says, “I’m allowed to say no to creepy behavior, okay?” While many stood by Roan, others on social media disagreed. No matter how blunt the message was, it was clear: Roan reserves her right to refuse uncomfortable interactions, no matter what fans think.

Paparazzi snapping photos of celebs and leaking information about their livelihoods can affect their mental well-being, reputations and personal relationships. As celebrities navigate their careers under a microscope, social media amplifies their visibility and simultaneously invites scrutiny into their personal lives. Though many fans like to believe in the parasocial relationships they build with celebrities and public figures, most of the time they will remain one-sided and imaginary.

We interviewed 100 Fullerton College Students about their takes on celebrities’ expectations of privacy. All respondents agreed that being a celebrity is a job, but they were split about how far that should extend into their personal lives.