Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence and Power on the Internet

“There’s a particular kind of fame that’s very normal now,” Allison told me. “But no one was prepared in that era. They used to call it micro fame, and it’s this experience of blowing up when you don’t expect to. You’re not blowing up the way Taylor Swift blew up. Instead, you get a lot of attention and become a big celebrity—but only in a select n

MySpace stars also understood the value of a direct relationship with their fans, as well as the importance of appearing relatable enough to allow fans to form parasocial bonds—a one-sided relationship where a fan develops a deep psychological connection to a media figure.