Taylor Swift and the Rise of 'Parasocial' Relationships in 2025
So, here’s something really interesting that’s been making waves this year: the Cambridge Dictionary has named its word of the year for 2025, and it’s “parasocial.” Now, if you haven’t heard this term before, it’s basically about a one-sided relationship that people feel with someone they don’t actually know—think celebrities, influencers, or even AI. The term was first coined back in 1956 by sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl, who noticed how television viewers would form bonds with on-screen personalities as if they were part of their real social circle. Fast forward to today, and the concept has exploded thanks to social media and online culture.
A perfect example that Cambridge Dictionary highlighted is Taylor Swift. Earlier this year, when she announced her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce, the reaction from fans was intense. Millions of people expressed heartfelt feelings toward the couple, even though most of them have never met them in real life. Psychologists call this a parasocial connection—people feeling as though they truly “know” someone just from observing them online or in the media. British singer Lily Allen is another example. Her album “West End Girl,” which explores her breakup, sparked a huge parasocial interest in her personal life.
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It’s not just celebrities either. The dictionary also pointed out how people are forming similar connections with AI, like ChatGPT and other chatbots, treating them almost as friends, confidants, or even romantic partners. Experts say this reflects a growing cultural trend where technology blurs the line between real-life relationships and these one-sided bonds. Lexicographer Colin McIntosh noted that “parasocial” captures the 2025 zeitgeist, showing how a term that was once strictly academic has now entered everyday language.
Social psychologist Simone Schnall described this as a redefinition of fandom, celebrity, and online interaction. She explained that parasocial relationships can become unhealthy when people feel a strong emotional attachment or loyalty to someone who has no awareness of them at all. Senior editor Jessica Rundell added that the word isn’t being judged as good or bad; its significance lies in its staying power and widespread use, reflecting real shifts in how humans connect in a digital world.
Alongside “parasocial,” Cambridge Dictionary has also added other words reflecting internet culture and AI, like “slop” for low-quality online content, “memeify” for turning people or events into memes, and fun newcomers like “delulu,” “skibidi,” and “tradwife.”
So, in 2025, the language we use is clearly evolving to match the way we live, love, and even form relationships—sometimes with people we’ll never meet, and sometimes with technology itself. And in all of this, Taylor Swift remains a standout example of how modern fame fuels these unique and sometimes intense connections.
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