Celebrities Don’t Owe Us Anything
Harry Styles during his Together, Together Tour | Getty Images
I’m a fangirl. And for as long as I can remember, I have been. I’ve considered myself a fan of many different people in my lifetime, but Harry Styles holds a very special place in my heart.
I have spent hours watching interviews, scrolling through social media edits and learning every lyric to every song of his (including unreleased work) for a probably unhealthy amount of time.
And the thing is, I don’t necessarily think there is anything wrong with that.
Being a fan is fun! It brings people together and gives us something to look forward to, to talk about, and to hold onto when we need an escape from our everyday lives.
I've loved Harry since I was in early middle school. I own hundreds of dollars worth of merch and have been to a handful of his shows, and I was somehow even able to get tickets to Harryween this October. I couldn't be more excited.
But, there comes a point where being a fan can cross a line.
He just began his residency at Madison Square Garden, and fans are already upset.
Before his New York residency, Styles performed 37 shows across Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Melbourne and Sydney. Now, some fans who attended those shows are frustrated that American fans are getting songs and experiences they didn't get.
For example, Styles brought his song “Carolina” back to the setlist for the first time since Coachella 2022. Immediately, fans were furious.
The sentiment is simple: “U.S. fans get everything.”
For years now dating back to his last tour, fans have yelled the lyric, “Leave America,” to Styles while singing his hit “As it Was” to signal their distaste for his alleged favoritism.
And I get it.
I waited in line for four hours for his Pop Up shop in Brooklyn in 30-degree weather days after his album Kiss All the Time. Disco Occasionally. was released to buy a sweatshirt that I thought was exclusive to the pop-ups, just for it to be released online a few weeks later.
My friend Lisa and I at the KATTDO pop up in Brooklyn, March 2026. | Original Picture Courtesy of Keira Faddis
It was extremely frustrating. I remember thinking, Why did I stand outside in the freezing cold for four hours if I could have just bought this online?
But looking back, I realized I was never promised exclusivity, the same way we as fans are not promised anything from concerts other than a live performance. Nobody has been cheated or robbed of anything in either situation, and I think that distinction is becoming harder for fans to make. We spend so much money, time and emotion on the people we love that our support can feel transactional.‘I bought the ticket, so I deserve the best songs,’ or, ‘I waited in line, so I deserve the exclusive sweatshirt.’
But celebrities don’t actually owe us anything. They’re people, just like you and me.
You’re not owed their time or attention just because you recognize them. You’re not owed a picture because you bought their album. You’re not owed a specific song because you bought a ticketWe know Harry through interviews, songs, performances, photographs and social media. We know the version of himself that he has chosen to share with us.
But we don’t actually know him.
Strike out,
Keira Faddis
Miami
Keira Faddis is a writer going into her first issue with Strike Magazine Miami. She is a junior studying journalism and creative advertising at the University of Miami who writes about all things pop culture and lifestyle. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking vegan food or at a live music event. If lost, find her on Instagram @keirafaddis.
Edited by Sophia Noya
