If you think about it, it seems crazy that we would grieve over the death of someone we don’t know. Yet it’s common for us to form parasocial relationships with celebrities, especially in the age of social media (via Psychology Today). Parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships where the other person (i.e. the celebrity) might not know you exist. We develop these relationships to help us through some mental health issues, provide an escape from stress, or add entertainment to our lives.
We may also feel connected to certain celebrities because we’re projecting our emotional needs onto that person. The celebrity could also have certain characteristics we can relate to or possess traits we desire to have. A celebrity’s work might bookmark a specific chapter in our lives, making their passing feel particularly meaningful.
Because a celebrity’s life is idealized in the media, deep down we tend to believe that this person is immortal. This belief can make a celebrity’s death come as a surprise. Their death can remind us of our own mortality. It may bring up memories, or fear of losing a close friend or family member.