Losing A Beloved Celeb Can Feel Like A Personal Loss For Fans - Experts Explain Why Post Matthew Perry's Demise
The death of a celebrity can stir up a range of complex emotions, explain mental health experts. The recent tragic passing of the legendary sitcom actor Matthew Perry left fans feeling bereaved. Mental health experts are now explaining why fans feel such profound loss when celebrities pass away.
Who Are These Experts?
Therapist Nicholette Leanza from LifeStance Health and therapist Aniesa Hanson came forward to give insight on the subject and explained why some fans feel the loss of a celeb personally.
What Happened To Matthew Perry?
Beloved Friends?star Matthew Perry was best known for his iconic performance on the NBC show as Chandler Bing. On Saturday, reports confirmed that the star had passed away after apparently drowning in a hot tub at the age of 54. Even though the cause of death has not been revealed as of yet, LAPD Captain Scot Williams said the "cause of death may not be known for some time, but at this point foul play is not suspected"
Where Did It Happen?
The Canadian actor was found dead in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home in Pacific Palisades.?
When Did Matthew Perry Pass Away?
The actor and author passed away on October 28.?
Why Does It Affect Fans?
Leanza says it is totally normal for fans to personally feel the loss of their beloved star, “It’s completely normal to grieve a celebrity’s death and most of us have been affected by the loss of a celebrity at one time or another.”
While most fans may not have had the chance to meet Perry in person, therapist Aniesa Hanson told The Post, that fans tend to attach themselves to the “idea" of a celebrity rather than the actual individual.
Even though our beloved celebrities may not be aware of our existence, our emotional connection to them can still be profound, as we often find parts of their lives or art that resonate with us on a personal level.
Hanson told Psychology Today, “Our emotional bond with an influential person is based on our projection of what we need that person to be for us during influential moments of our lives. It’s the idea of that person we bond to, not necessarily the person themselves — since we didn’t come to know them in real life.”
She went on to explain, “Not only are celebrities infused into our developmental milestones, they oftentimes fill roles of a mentor or support person we were lacking. We turn to them for support and they become part of our lives. When they die, a little part of us dies too.”
How Should Fans Take Care Of This Grief?
The experts emphasize the importance of recognising the validity of fans' emotions, even if they only admire the celebrity from a distance. However, they also advise considering professional support if the grief becomes overpowering. “Grief is grief. Ignoring your feelings of grief won’t make you grieve faster — it can actually do the opposite,” remarked Hanson.
For more trending stories, follow us on?Telegram.?
