A stan is, as Oxford English Dictionary first defined the term in 2018, “an overzealous or obsessive fan, especially of a particular celebrity.” The term was born out of Eminem’s 2000 hit song, aptly titled “Stan.” In it, he narrates the story of an obsessed fan named Stanley. The lyrics are about his desperate plea for Eminem to be his role model. His passion soon spirals out of control, leading to his eventual demise.
Another interpretation, as described in an episode of NPR’s All Things Considered, is that the term combines the words “stalker” and “fan.” But, for me, and for many other people of my generation who live in the world of fandom, the term has evolved into a sort of badge of honour. We make fan pages, go to every concert, spend hours online—especially on Twitter—reading through comments about our favourite artists, and are first to come to their defence whenever anyone has anything bad to say.
But what happens when fandom goes too far?
