Parasocial Relationships and 4 Important Reasons Why They Feel So Real

You open TikTok. There’s that one creator again—the one who always makes you laugh, inspires you, or makes you feel understood. You don’t actually know them, but you know their dog’s name, their favorite coffee order, and maybe even what their bedroom looks like. When a video drops, you feel like catching up with an old friend.

But here’s the twist: that “friend” has never met you.

This is the fascinating world of parasocial relationships (PSRs)—psychological connections where one person (the fan or follower) feels bonded to another (the celebrity, influencer, or even fictional character), without the relationship being mutual. While the concept has existed since the 1950s, today’s influencer culture and algorithm-driven feeds have taken it to new heights. Let’s unpack how PSRs work, why they’re stronger than ever, and what this means for our mental health in 2025.

Read More: AI and Empathy

What Are Parasocial Relationships?

Parasocial relationships were first described by Horton and Wohl in 1956. They noticed that television audiences often felt they “knew” media figures, even though the relationship was entirely one-sided. Originally, this referred to people like news anchors, radio hosts, or TV personalities.

A key distinction exists between parasocial interaction and parasocial relationship. A parasocial interaction happens in the moment—for example, laughing at a late-night host’s joke and feeling as though they’re speaking directly to you. A parasocial relationship, on the other hand, develops over time: repeated exposure builds familiarity, identification, and emotional investment.

Today, the mechanics remain the same, but the scale and intensity have shifted dramatically. Where once people bonded with a handful of celebrities, now millions are building connections with influencers they follow daily, sometimes hourly.

Why They Feel So Real in 2025

Why do parasocial relationships feel stronger than ever? The answer lies in how social media platforms structure attention.

1. Algorithmic familiarity. TikTok and Instagram don’t just show you random content—they feed you creators you’ve already interacted with, increasing repeated exposure. Familiarity breeds closeness.

2. Micro-interactions. Likes, comments, live streams, and duets create the illusion of reciprocity. When an influencer “likes” a comment, the follower experiences a dopamine rush, as if a friend just waved back.

3. Authenticity cues. Influencers often share intimate details—messy rooms, vulnerable confessions, or daily routines. These cues lower the perceived barrier between public figure and audience.

4. Visual intimacy. Unlike traditional celebrities on glossy magazine covers, influencers film from bedrooms, cars, and kitchens. The camera is often handheld, creating a sense of eye contact and closeness.

The result? A relationship that feels less like “celebrity worship” and more like genuine friendship—even though it’s not reciprocal.

What Research Tells Us

Scholars are taking parasocial relationships seriously again, especially in the TikTok era.

• Frequency and attachment. A study on Instagram and TikTok users found that higher use of these platforms correlates with stronger PSRs, particularly among younger audiences and women (Dibble et al., 2022).

• Mental health links. Research on university students shows that compulsive TikTok use, mediated by parasocial motives and fear of missing out (FOMO), is associated with lower well-being (Zhang & Fu, 2024).

• AI influencers. In some markets, even AI-generated influencers are creating PSRs. A recent study showed people form emotional attachments and attribute credibility to non-human influencers (Park & Kim, 2025).

These findings highlight that PSRs aren’t just quirky side-effects of fandom; they can have real consequences for mental health, identity, and behavior.

The Upsides of Parasocial Relationships

Before we paint PSRs as purely problematic, let’s acknowledge their benefits.

1. Companionship. For people who feel isolated, influencers can act like a “background friend.” Watching someone’s daily life may reduce loneliness.

2. Inspiration and guidance. Many influencers share fitness journeys, study tips, or career advice. Followers may adopt healthier habits or feel motivated by watching.

3. Representation. Influencers often reflect marginalized identities (LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, BIPOC), providing visibility and validation for followers who rarely see themselves represented elsewhere.

4. Learning. From cooking to financial literacy, parasocial figures can act as teachers, mentors, or role models.

In moderation, PSRs can enrich lives. They provide entertainment, comfort, and even education.

The Dark Side of Feeling Close

Of course, there’s another side to this story. When parasocial relationships dominate emotional lives, problems emerge.

• Unrealistic comparison. Constant exposure to curated lives can fuel social comparison, leaving followers feeling inadequate (Festinger, 1954).

• Emotional dependency. If an influencer doesn’t post for a while, some followers experience anxiety or sadness. The influencer’s absence feels like a friend ghosting them.

• Betrayal and disappointment. When influencers make mistakes—say, promoting a scam product or behaving badly—followers may feel personally betrayed.

• Neglect of real-life bonds. Excessive time spent engaging with parasocial figures can reduce time and energy for reciprocal relationships.

A study on college students found that stronger PSRs predicted more depressive symptoms when real-life social support was lacking (Wang et al., 2023). In other words, parasocial ties can’t fully replace real ones.

Why Do PSRs Work So Well?

Several psychological theories help explain why parasocial relationships feel so convincing:

1. Attachment theory. People with anxious or avoidant attachment styles may gravitate toward PSRs, where the risk of rejection is minimized.

2. Uses and Gratifications theory. Followers use PSRs to fulfill needs—companionship, entertainment, escapism, or identity exploration (Rubin, 2009).

3. Social comparison theory. Watching influencers invites constant upward comparison, which can either motivate (“If they can do it, so can I”) or demoralize (“I’ll never measure up”).

4. Parasocial breakups. Interestingly, researchers describe ending a parasocial bond (unfollowing, losing interest) as similar to a romantic breakup—complete with sadness and longing (Cohen, 2004).

The Rise of the AI Influencer

One of the most surprising twists in PSRs is that people are now forming them with non-human figures.

Virtual influencers like Lil Miquela (a computer-generated model) or Replika AI companions can evoke the same emotional bonds as human influencers. In fact, some users report preferring AI companions because they never disappoint or reject them.

A 2025 study in Computational Social Systems found that people rated AI influencers as equally credible as human ones in certain contexts, and some even reported stronger attachment due to the predictability of interaction (Park & Kim, 2025).

This blurs the line further: can you have a parasocial relationship with someone who doesn’t even exist? The research says yes.

When Parasocial Relationships Turn Harmful

So, how do you know if a PSR has gone too far? Warning signs include:

• Spending more emotional energy on influencers than on family or friends.

• Mood swings tied to an influencer’s posting activity.

• Feeling devastated when influencers make mistakes or fail to respond.

• Losing sleep or neglecting responsibilities due to following content.

At this point, the relationship isn’t just entertainment—it’s a psychological burden.

How to Keep It Healthy

Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy parasocial relationships without falling into the trap of emotional overinvestment.

1. Practice media literacy. Remember: influencers show curated slices of life, not the whole picture.

2. Set boundaries. Schedule social media breaks, mute accounts that trigger envy, and diversify the types of content you consume.

3. Balance with offline connections. Invest in friendships and community in the “real world.” PSRs can supplement, but not replace, human connection.

4. Reflect intentionally. After consuming content, ask yourself: How did this make me feel? Did I learn, laugh, feel inspired—or did I feel worse?

5. Accept the one-sidedness. Acknowledge that the influencer does not know you personally, no matter how close they may seem.

The Future of Friendship?

In 2025, parasocial relationships are no longer fringe—they’re mainstream. They influence how we consume media, how we form identity, and even how we think about friendship. Whether it’s a TikTok star, a YouTuber, or even an AI companion, these figures are becoming fixtures in our social landscape.

Are PSRs inherently bad? Not necessarily. Like many psychological phenomena, they’re tools—capable of comfort and inspiration, but also of harm if taken too far. The key is awareness.

As psychologist John Caughey once put it, parasocial relationships give us “a social life of the imagination.” In moderation, that imaginative life can enrich us. But if it starts to replace our actual social lives, it may be time to log off and grab coffee with a friend who knows your name.

References

Cohen, J. (2004). Parasocial breakups: Measuring individual differences in responses to the dissolution of parasocial relationships. Mass Communication & Society, 7(2), 191-202.

Dibble, J. L., Hartmann, T., & Rosaen, S. F. (2022). Parasocial interaction and relationships with media characters. Journal of Media Psychology, 34(3), 123-137.

Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117-140.

Horton, D., & Wohl, R. R. (1956). Mass communication and parasocial interaction: Observations on intimacy at a distance. Psychiatry, 19(3), 215-229.

Park, J., & Kim, S. (2025). Between human and AI influencers: Parasocial relationships, credibility, and social capital. Computational Social Systems, 12(1), 45-63.

Rubin, A. M. (2009). Uses-and-gratifications perspective on media effects. In J. Bryant & M. B. Oliver (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (pp. 165-184). Routledge.

Wang, Y., Chen, Y., & Li, H. (2023). Parasocial relationships, social support, and depressive symptoms among college students. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 42(5), 411-428.

Zhang, L., & Fu, Q. (2024). Social and parasocial relationships on TikTok and their impact on well-being. Journal of Adolescence, 99, 65-75.