Instagram captions appear like letters from a loved one; direct-to-cam posts seem like FaceTimes from a friend. In the age of magical oversharing, platforms like Tumblr, TikTok, Instagram, and Patreon offer fans exponentially more access to personal information about their heroes, bridging the parasocial gap to make them feel ever more connected. After all, unlike TV, there is a real possibility that Taylor Swift could respond to your Instagram comment herself—the almighty saint answering her believer’s prayer… or demand.
