
Trump Indicted: Former President Donald Trump has been indicted for a third time on four criminal counts in the ongoing investigation into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in order to stay in power
Lizzo: The singer has been sued by three former dancers for alleged sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment and other allegations
SoFi Stadium: Fans prepare for Taylor Swift's six night residency as SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles

Screaming, Crying, Throwing Up
What it is: From Beatlemania and Elvis to Beyonce and Taylor Swift, stan culture has always found its place in almost all aspects of popular culture. Stan culture represents the the behavior and beliefs of those who fervently support a celebrity, team, public figure, movie, etc. Oftentimes, stan culture is dismissed as being weird or crazy. However, stan culture is nothing but an expression of one's passion for something. This expression typically brings about overwhelming feelings of joy that stem from releasing serotonin and dopamine into the body and can manifest itself as lightheadedness, loss of appetite, crying, blacking out, screaming, throwing up and more. While these behaviors seem unhinged and outlandish to the outside, those participating in stan culture recognize those symptoms as a positive reaction to something they love.
What brands can learn: Stan culture offers an easy avenue for brands to connect with audiences. Fans experience immense joy from exposure to their favorite celebrity, team, movie, etc. Brands who act as fans of popular public figures or media can offer that sense of joy to consumers and quickly reach a new audience. Many brands have hopped on this bandwagon already which has increased their notability. For example, Duolingo has inserted itself into almost every corner of popular stan culture (Barbie, Swifites, Dua Lipa) and has had large engagement with this. However, stans can easily detect inauthenticity when it comes to their faves. It's important that brands are authentic when it comes to sharing anything regarding popular public figures and media in order to relate to and reach those audiences. Participating in stan culture is a great way for brands to widen their audience reach, maintain relevance amongst Gen Z and offer some positivity for consumers.
Examples: 1, 2, 3

It's definitely a girl summer as Taylor Swift and Barbie are saving America from a recession
Some people definitely need this....etiquette experts describe the rudest things you can do at the grocery store
After 173 shows over two years, Harry Styles 'Love on Tour' raised $6.5 million for charities
SPOILER ALERT: Love Island UK crowns its season 10 winners
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