Hollywood Thrives on ‘Rabid’ Fans. For Publicists, They’re a Nightmare
A clash between two fans of Connor Storrie in Paris highlights the double-edged nature of obsessive fandom, forcing PR professionals to balance reward and boundaries.
Earlier this week, an incident outside Hotel Meurice in Paris drew widespread attention: Simone Cromer, formerly known for running the Timothée Chalamet fan account Club Chalamet, was waiting for actor Connor Storrie. She claimed another fan physically and verbally assaulted her, calling her “bitch” and “stalker.” The alleged attacker, @mikadontyoudare, responded that Cromer had tried to assault Storrie.
The altercation sparked mockery online, but few considered the publicist’s plight. “You never want to see that happen in a fandom,” says Olivia Shalhoup, founder of PR firm Amethyst Collab. “It’s not a story I would want told in conjunction with my client.”
With fans now wielding larger platforms than traditional media, publicists often offer exclusives to fan accounts. Yet boundaries are critical. “The fans are rabid. So you need to set a boundary,” says Dawn Kamerling, owner of the Press House.
Safety is another concern. Shalhoup once had to ask an artist to delete a post that revealed her street corner. Publicists monitor fan chatter constantly. “You’re looking at TikToks, subreddits, Instagram comments,” says Eddie Tabakman, a comms specialist.
When fandoms turn hostile, it can become a PR nightmare. Chappell Roan faced backlash after a security guard, later found not to be hers, was rude to a fan’s child. “That was a three-day story, but in PR Land that’s like three years,” says Kamerling.
Some stars proactively condemn toxic behavior. In March, actors François Arnaud and Hudson Williams posted an Instagram story denouncing racism and bigotry among fans.
“Fandom is a huge asset, but if you don’t manage it correctly, it can hurt you. The smartest thing is to prepare,” concludes Tabakman.
