David Cooper

That's when we feel like we know someone who's famous, even though they have no idea who we are.

Talk to me about how those two things collide, celebrity worship and vulnerable narcissism.

Is that illusion that you have a relationship with a celebrity?

Is that the main ingredient here that can make things go so wrong?

This feeling like they're your friend?

Yeah.

Are we at a time where this sort of thing is at an all time high because of social media?

We just didn't have a way to like be in contact or feel like we connected with our celebrity people that we worship.

Maybe like 20 years ago, we might've seen them on TV when we went into the movies, but not like on our feed all the time.

If you're listening, Ed Sheeran, please write back, my friend.

But look, celebrity worship, or at least, sorry, celebrity fandom is mostly harmless fun for people.

I have celebrities that I think are funny.

I watch their clips when they're on like Saturday Night Live, whatever.

At what point does this cross the boundary and show warning signs that it is turned into something unhealthy psychologically?

Awesome.

And I know, Josh, you're a criminology professor.

These things can escalate into like breaking rules or laws.

I remember the guy who like broke into Queen Elizabeth's room and spent some time with her because he was just obsessed with her.

I don't think he heard her, but he was up there for five minutes before security got up there.

Like, is this something to worry about if a friend or a family member is showing signs of just utter obsession with a celebrity?