When Die-Hard Fans Go Too Far

Plus: Don’t Call Nara Smith a “Tradwife”

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS There’s a thin line between love and hate—especially, it seems, if you’re nominally a fan of any given musician, TV series, or celebrity. Yes, people have always done wild and sometimes dangerously violent things to express their big feelings about characters and celebrities; just ask Jodie Foster. But as Chris Murphy writes, several recent stories about bad fan behavior—diehards angrily targeting Noah Wyle because the doctor he plays on The Pitt is being mean to his coworkers; accusing Chappell Roan of hating children; and harassing so many girls in teenage actor Walker Scobell’s orbit that the Percy Jackson star has declared he can’t go to prom—make it seem as though things have gone too far. Can’t we all just get along, and leave our ire in the group chats where it belongs? Elsewhere, Erin Vanderhoof reveals the cover of lifestyle creator Nara Smith’s new cookbook, while José Criales-Unzueta gets up close and personal with a pair of pop stars. More tomorrow! HILLARY BUSIS, SENIOR EDITOR Why this ad? The Wretched Rise of Toxic Fandoms BY CHRIS MURPHY Relationships that used to be pleasantly parasocial have become borderline disturbing. Now this unbridled intensity is bleeding into other areas of culture, with alarming results. READ MORE Get more as a Vanity Fair subscriber Exclusive offer: Subscribe to get one month of Vanity Fair free START YOUR FREE TRIAL More Great Reads BOOKS Don’t Call Nara Smith a “Tradwife” BY ERIN VANDERHOOF In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, the newly minted author reveals her first cookbook and shares why she loves making grocery store favorites from scratch (really, she loves it!). READ MORE MUSIC Making Herstory With Tyla and Zara Larsson BY JOSÉ CRIALES-UNZUETA The two pop divas talk to VF about their new joint hit, “She Did It Again,” which was born from a night out in London. READ MORE From the Archive Grace Becomes a Princess BY JUDITH BALABAN QUINE Seventy years ago, Miss Grace Kelly of Philadelphia and Hollywood, decked in diamonds and pearls and 320 yards of Valenciennes lace, became Her Serene Highness the Princess of Monaco. In the June 1989 issue, Judith Balaban Quine, one of Kelly’s bridesmaids, detailed the princess’s big day. READ MORE Why this ad? In Case You Missed It Eddie Murphy Receives His Flowers Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Stevie Wonder, and more gathered to honor the legendary comedian with the AFI Life Achievement Award on Saturday night. Charlize Theron’s Hot Take The actor hopes to run into Timothée Chalamet and take him to task for his controversial comments on ballet and opera. Keeping Up With Caitlyn Jenner The Olympian, whose passport has been affected by Trump’s trans policies, wrote a letter to the president—whom she still openly supports. MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.