It Was Never A Phase – 10 Signs You Grew Up A Music Fangirl (And Still Are!)
If you recall growing up with a million posters of your celebrity crush plastered across your bedroom walls or rejoicing with your peers when a new album from your favourite artist was released, congratulations! At some point in your life, you were a fangirl. But has the fangirl life left you? Here are 10 signs that you’re still a fangirl today!
You Had a Fan Account (And Still Do)
Let’s be honest, your fan account was your safe space, and it probably still is. Whether your fan account lives on X, Tumblr, TikTok, or Instagram, chances are you probably have spent a lot of time chronically online, coming up with potential usernames and bios to show your appreciation for said artist (and don’t forget the perfect icon or header to match), defending your faves, engaging in heated conversations with your group chats about losing Ticketmaster wars, or live-tweeting and filming your reaction whilst listening to a new album. And the fan edits? You’ve also probably fangirled (and still do) over those as well! But don’t be ashamed, we’ve all been there.
Screaming and Crying Over Tour Announcements
Whether you’ve seen your favourite artist 10 times or never got the opportunity to, tour announcements are still so exciting to hear. There’s this sort of adrenaline rush that comes with a tour announcement because it’s simultaneously stressful yet exciting. Maybe you’re stressed about getting a presale code, stressed about losing Ticketmaster wars, or, honestly, even stressed about the location of the concert. But also, you’re probably excited to plan your outfits for the show, reunite with your fangirl besties and have fun. Overall, it’s just about enjoying yourself and having a great time. Alexa, play Life is Worth Living by Justin Bieber.
Staying Up Past Your Bedtime For New Releases
Even though you might have work or school in the morning, that probably doesn’t stop you from trying to keep your eyes open (Taylor Swift pun intended) to hear a new release from your favourite artist. Maybe it’s an album drop or perhaps it’s just a new single, regardless, you’re probably counting down the minutes (or seconds) until 12 AM and are constantly refreshing your Spotify, Apple Music, or whatever streaming platform you use to listen to music so that you can hit play and scream internally. Sleep can wait. But a new Taylor Swift album or a new single from Harry Styles might be a little more important just this one time (or 10).
Fandom Friendships
One of the most exciting parts about being a fangirl in a fandom for a music artist is the friendships that come with it. It’s a great way to meet people from all over the world. Whether they live in a different country or one town over, the passion is still the same and brings people together, regardless. You bond over fandom jokes and cheer each other on when they have a concert that day for the person you’re all a fan of. And of course, bonding over new releases from your faves. Sometimes, these friendships go beyond the fangirling aspect by becominglifelong friendships that support you through all the big moments in life.
You Have Your Own Fangirl Stash
Let’s be honest, as a fangirl, you probably have a stash hidden somewhere in your room full of random fangirl items, but deeply treasured items. They most likely range from miscellaneous items like confetti from a concert you attended, a guitar pick given to you by a member of your favourite band, a VIP lanyard, and a personal favourite: a physical concert ticket (remember those?). These are not just fangirl souvenirs, but rather they tell a story of your fangirl history, helping you to cherish these memories and show your grandchildren someday.
Learning New Languages
Being a fangirl has several perks, and one of them is being able to learn a new language. Whether you’re connecting with fans around the globe or you’re a K-Pop fan trying to understand Korean lyrics and interviews, whilst simultaneously also singing along to Bad Bunny and trying to pick up Spanish, fangirling naturally expands your vocabulary. And if you’re a non-UK based One Direction fan, you’ve definitely tried to learn some UK slang. Moral of the story, it’s a great way to connect with others on a deeper level, from translating tweets to bonding with international fans.
Using Lyrics As Instagram Captions
Some fangirls decode lyrics for hidden meanings, whilst other fangirls are figuring out what their next Instagram caption will be. It’s a fun way to add personality and to match the theme of your carousel of Instagram photos. Whether they’re emotional, iconic, or deep-cut lyrics, you can come up with captions from various tunes. For example, if you are an American travelling abroad, the lyric from Harry Styles’ As It Was track, “Leave America,” is a great caption. It’s simple, concise and straight to the point. Or even the title of Billy Joel’s song, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, if your photos are taken in an Italian restaurant. Be creative!
One Word: Wattpad
You’re definitely a fangirl if you’ve read (or continue) to read fanfiction. Maybe you’ve even written it yourself. Back in 2013, if you were in the One Direction fandom, you knew the fans practically ran that website like it was their full-time job. Iconic and most popular storylines featured a female protagonist falling in love with a member while touring. As well as fangirling, it’s also great way to enhance and boost reading comprehension and writing skills. Who knows, all those hours spent reading slow-burning romance and writing dramatic storylines may turn you into a future author. It has happened for some!
Making Space In Your Schedule To Watch Award Shows
The GRAMMYs, the BRITs, the VMAs– all iconic events where pop culture history is made. If you’re lucky enough that your favourite artist is attending, you know you’ll definitely be seated on your couch at home to watch any iconic performances live, witnessing life-changing red carpet looks, and of course, to root for them if they are nominated for the Album of the Year Award you made your family vote 95,000 times for. The night is already planned: food and snacks, spamming your group chats, live-sharing your thoughts on performances and fashion looks. Award shows are a fangirl’s Super Bowl.
Merch, Merch and More Merch
One thing about being a fangirl? You’ve probably spent more on merchandise than you’d like to admit. But you know what, YOLO. From hoodies and t-shirts to keychains and socks, if your favourite artist’s name or face is on it, chances are they’re either sitting in your cart or you already bought it. It’s one of the two. Whether you wear them as a proud fan or as a collectable item, like one you’d put in your fangirl stash, it simply shows your dedication to your favourite artist. And that is the true meaning of what being a fangirl is.
