There are interesting edge cases to these sorts of relationships, like Deadmau5 finding a vocal from a fan on stream for a song that is now one of his most well known ones. [1] From what I've seen, a lot of Twitch streamers and YouTube creators also form these sorts of relationships with other influencers, with it ending up in them connecting with each other. That dynamic is completely different than one between a person who has no followers on a platform whatsoever, but I wouldn't say the divide is as clear cut as fans and influencers.

When we're talking about influencers with hundreds of thousands of fans, like the ones which this article focuses on, the divide is still more well defined. However, when we get to people with only thousands of active followers, everything starts getting a bit murkier. What about a lesser known influencer at first forming parasocial relationship with a superstar and then actually connecting? I've seen this happen dozens of times with less known influencers connecting with the likes of Casey Neistat or Jon Olsson. [2]

There have definitely been times when it has seemed to me like a streamer on Twitch has been as dependent on their fans socially as their fans have been on them. A lot of this can be completely manufactured and facetious, but I think there are times when the non-stop schedule of the profession can seriously inhibit relationships outside of the cyberscape. Could be seen as another side of the coin when it comes to unhealthy forms of parasocial relationships.

I think the core question the article prunes at is amazing and I agree with just about all of it, just adding in some thoughts it provoked.

[1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqurYVWg7-g [2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLKspC7CGgs