Fan, Fanatic or Fraud?!
TPB | Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 12:05PM
The unexpected demise of Michael Jackson and witness to the impact and reaction of millions of fans around the globe makes me reflect on who else I’m a fan of. Just off the top, some of my favorite people include Cornell West, Oprah, Denzel, Will Smith, Queen Latifah and Whoopi Goldberg (… I can go on).
I say I’m a fan, but what makes a real fan? Should a real fan know every minute 
My friend Anthony hipped me to the singer SEAL about 15 years ago. SEAL is one of my absolute favorite singers in all the world. And what’s more, I met him in person. What are the chances of meeting a person you idolize?! Unlikely and slim at best. Not only did I have the opportunity to meet him, but he gave me a hug, rubbed the back of my head ( I was sporting the low, low haircut then) and autographed his photo to me “To Tuesday, great, great hair today, my ‘love’(image of a heart)” Aaaaaahh, I’m elated just thinking about that moment in time (imagine little hearts dancing around my head). But wait a minute, am I really a fan?
I couldn’t tell you anything about this man. I don’t know if SEAL is from Africa or Europe or both, don’t know the story behind his scars, don’t know the name of his (also famous) wife, number of kids, nothing! All I can do is sing the words to ALL of his songs and tell him “I love you” with probably as much sincerity as his wife!
So, what’s up? Am I a fraud? Can we be fans without all the detail? Are the folks who know George Clooney’s favorite color fanatics or fans? Are Oprah fans fraudulent if they can’t remember the name of her new dog? Somebody make me feel better! What’s a fan?
Reader Comments (7)
I think that you are still a fan. Those people who know EVERYTHING about the star are bordeline crazy. I mean I love Michael Jackson and I remember wanting to marry him when I was little. However I only know about personal info from what I have read. I really don't need to know all the personal things about him to be a fan. But this lady that lives in NC sold everything in her house except the house itself to go to the memorial for MJ. Is that crazy or a fan? I am sure MJ could understood if she could not make it! I think doing something as simple as purchasing their cd make you fan.
Thanks Keziah! That made me feel better :)
Love you girl, but you're a fraud. I love Seal too.. don't know the words to his songs or all his albums, but I did see him live, I know he's married to Heidi Klum, his scars are from a motorbike accident and he and Klum have like a hundred kids (wouldn't you, if you were married to him, lol). And he's English ;)
I think you are an adult who appreciates the work of entertainers in a responsible, mature way...and, like me, a fan! Entertainers enhance our lives. Really great ones can affect our emotions and encourage us to join a cause. However, emotionally stable and active adults usually don't have the leisure time it would take to absorb all of the details of famous people's lives. I'm sure it's hard enough keeping up with your immediate family and your best friends! And those are the people you're supposed to know about!
So leave the fanaticism to teenagers - that's where it belongs! They have no responsibilities, no worries and all the time in the world to learn all the details, the latest dances, the latest slang and the newest styles! And us "old" people can just learn from them, shake our heads and say, "To be young again!"
Seal was actually born to Nigerian parents and later adopted by English folks. According to Wikipedia his scars are caused by a skill disease.
I think you're a fan of his music and talent. You would be a fanatic if you took the time to remember his dogs name and probably a little of a stalker if you sought to dig up all the details of his life that are not generally available to the general public. You're surely not a fraud! Feel better?
A Fan is one of the pieces of cardboard on a stick you get at the Harlem Book Fair. The aforementioned folks should have their robes put on backwards and not be trusted with sharp instruments.
A fan is a device with rotating blades which causes a gust of cool air to move forward...that said, you're a fraud...lol just kidding, but you should do a Google search on the brother and get some info...I'm sure Heidi (his wife) and the children would appreciate it (like someone's gonna tell them "Tuesday knows who you are")