00:00Do you feel connected to a celebrity in a way where you feel like they're your friend?
00:03There's a name for that.
00:05You might be in a parasocial relationship.
00:08Don't worry, it's not necessarily a bad thing.
00:11A parasocial relationship is a one-way imaginary friendship with a celebrity.
00:16That proud feeling we had for Rihanna's grand return to performing at the Super Bowl?
00:20Viewing Patrick Mahomes as a role model and having an imaginary conversation with him?
00:25Parasocial relationship.
00:26One psychology professor tells Website Insider it can be healthy to feel this way about a public figure,
00:32where you admire their success and feel like they keep you company.
00:35Parasocial relationships can help you feel less alone, and they've increased during the pandemic.
00:40Of course, they're also low-maintenance, since you get to choose when to engage with a celebrity's content.
00:45More importantly, having a role model like this can inspire you to improve yourself
00:49and feel more confident about who you are if you share a similar background.
00:53Who doesn't want to be like Mike?
00:55Of course, it's possible to take it too far,
00:58so if you find yourself hiding in the bushes at Kim Kardashian's house, seek help.
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