Not many people realize it, but fangirls play an important part in the music industry. I know people think of fangirls as overzealous, emotional, and dare I say it “Crazy”. As well as other words. However, there’s a side of fangirls that people don’t realize or don’t pay attention to: It’s the fact that they can help with an artist/band’s following.
You can be a fangirl and work in the music industry - whether it’s in music marketing, A&R, music journalism, radio, etc.
I’ve had my fair share of fangirling over different musicians all my life. In elementary school; it was Hilary Duff, The Jonas Brothers, Avril Lavigne, and Miley Cyrus. In middle school; it was Paramore, Linkin Park, Death Cab for Cutie, Flyleaf, Evanescence, The Runaways, Breaking Benjamin, Joan Jett, Mayday Parade, Vampire Weekend, Fall Out Boy, etc.
In high school; it was One Direction, Lana Del Rey, Demi Lovato, Lorde, Milky Chance, Cage The Elephant, The 1975, Arctic Monkeys, Marina and The Diamonds, The Black Keys, and plenty of more.
I had dreams of writing during those periods, but was not aware of music journalism until my junior year of high school and years later, I accomplished that dream and do you know what I credit? Being a fangirl. I ran a One Direction fan account on Instagram and Twitter back in high school and being a fangirl during that period is what helped me get to where I am now. It was because of the passion I had and still have for the music.
But this isn’t about my story. That was just an example. This is about other fangirls who grew up fangirl-ing over different artists who work in different fields of the industry.
So without further ado - Meet the fangirls, read their stories and learn about what they do.
Stephanie Hernandez | Music Journalist
When I was about 9 years old, I was in the honor choir in elementary school. We learned a little song called "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles, and I was instantly hooked. Since then, my entire personality was wrapped up in the Beatles and their contemporaries. In high school, I somehow always managed to weave the Beatles into school projects, essays, and pretty much every facet of my life. I went to tribute concerts, dressed like it was the '60s, and only started dating my first boyfriend because I thought he looked like George Harrison.
I moved from Houston, TX to London under the guise of a scholarship to pursue my undergraduate degree - but it was really to be close to the spaces my favorite bands were around in their heyday. Over the summers, I got a job at the Beatles Story museum in Liverpool, where I had the opportunity to talk about my favorite band all day, every day. I spent most of my nights in the Cavern Club, or otherwise involved in the local music scene. My undergraduate dissertation, of course, was all about the Beatles.
I decided to do my Master's degree in London as well, and this is really where I became involved in the music industry through my fandom. I enrolled in an intercollegiate class (at a separate university): "Popular Music and its Critics." This class went through the history of popular music criticism, and required us to write our own piece for 100% of our grade. I wrote about Stevie Nicks' "witchy" persona, and its legacy. On the back of this piece, I began my career. My professor was so impressed by my writing that he advised me to consider writing professionally about music, and introduced me to a few of his contacts in the industry.
For about a year now, I've had bylines at Warner Music UK, Ultimate Classic Rock, Rhino Entertainment, and a few local publications in Liverpool. Presently, I'm doing my PhD in Literature & Music at the University of Liverpool, where I also lecture on musical analysis and criticism.
Ariana Elise | Musician
I grew up in northeast Ohio, home of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and several famous musicians / bands.
My father was always a music junkie, and naturally my siblings and I became such as well. We started early with the influences of The Beatles, Jackson 5, Boston, and so on.
So as a child, I remember my first encounter as a fan girl when Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) made her debut, and of course my dad wanted me to be as much of a fan as possible. I had every CD, soundtrack, outfits, posters, and anything that was labeled in her brand. Eventually, I became a teenager, and so my attention turned to One Direction; the most chaotic, exciting fan base I’ve ever been apart of. Going to concerts with friends, daydreaming of them falling in love with me, writing fanfictions on wattpad. All my thoughts for a couple years relied solely on a boy and that would never know my name; but I will always remember theirs.
Now when I graduated high school, the fan girl fad in me was pretty much dead due to teenage blues and different focus.
However I began diving into the classic rock music world and my interest was sparking again. I ended up dropping out of college shortly after I started because I just couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do. I’ve always loved music, but I was so shy and didn’t know how to get started or where I could even start so late in the game. I originally went to school for creative writing / poetry, though I didn’t want to just be a writer.
I ended up spending a year at home with my dad, collecting records and being unemployed. I would listen to music from sun up to sun down. I’d research every little bit of information about any band I was listening to and absorb their stories. Every lyric, every melody pieced together a puzzle I’d been trying to finish for years. I wanted to be a musician, I wanted to be a star just like all of them.
I’ve always known I wanted to be something big, and music was always an answer/escape I’d use to make my life have some sort of sense. My poetry turned into songwriting and it clicked.
But I’ve been shy my entire life, and never voiced the fact that Id always sing when no one was around. So, my dad bought me my first Dean acoustic guitar, shortly after I heard “The Chain” demo- I immediately began lessons.
In this time I discovered an up and coming band called Greta Van Fleet, and looking back now; that was a rebirth of my fan girl heart. Getting fired up to see hot, young rockers play some of the most beautiful new music this generation needs has been an absolute pleasure (and an inspiration).
I now live in Nashville, after being a groupie for a band that no longer exists and networking; I reside in a city that has opened so many opportunities for me. I still go to shows, and I still get geeked over bands. But now that I’m playing my own gigs, recording my own music- my perspective on fangirling and the industry has definitely changed.
I have not only major respect for musicians but for bands who are big and have to put up with a lot of slack. You do get the more “wild” fans and people who cross boundaries from time to time. You get annoyed of loud and obnoxious people yelling songs at you and being demanding. It gets so exhausting, until you look at it as a whole. These people are here for YOU and YOU’RE music. They are spending their money to hear YOU sing YOUR songs. They want to be your friends, your fans, and close to a musician. Fangirling can be a lot, and overwhelming at that. But how touching is it to see people love a band so much, that they would do anything in the world to see a show and support them?
I’m blessed to be in a hardworking, tough industry because seeing those faces light up and having that support around you is the most rewarding, fulfilling life I could ever ask for.
Carmela Carr | Writer/Owner of The Generation Clash
When I was a kid, my dad borrowed two Lime Spiders albums and he burned them to our Dell computer and I remember sitting at the computer when he was burning them and I noticed the red/black/orange background of the cover art of Volatile and I knew that it was cool. I always considered Lime Spiders to be my first "cool" band because they weren't anything like the music my friends listened to.
My love for music comes from growing up in a house where music was always playing. Midnight Oil, ELO, Jughead, Maroon 5, Kiss, I heard it all when I was little. As I got older, I joined Tumblr and discovered Spotify and I started creating playlists. Eventually, this led to me creating the original website for Generation Clash on Tumblr because it was a platform that I always shared the music I loved, except now I was writing articles and making graphics and it wasn't a hobby, it was a career. I'm a music journalist now, but I was an enthusiastic fan first. Without my passion for music, GenClash wouldn't exist.
Sara Brown | Music Journalist
It’s safe to say it all started when I was 12 years old. I’d loved musicians before, but I think the combination of my age, the musicians I was fascinated with, and my lack of internet access at the time was what kept me from crossing that “fangirl” threshold.
When I discovered Hunter Hayes at the age of 12, that all changed. I don’t remember how it all went down, truthfully. I remember discovering his music, and the next thing I know, I’m running a stan Twitter and Instagram account.
It was around this same time that I began to think about what I wanted to do with my life. I had grown fascinated with Nashville and the idea of studying music business – I was so sure that I was going to go to school at Belmont University and pursue that. I didn’t know what I wanted to do specifically, but I wanted to be involved.
Time goes by, I eventually abandon my Hunter Hayes stan accounts (the negative of fandom reared its ugly head), I discover and fall in love with new artists, I progress through my undergraduate degree, and I start to realize that I miss music. I’m producing a radio show, but with my impending graduation, I know that it’s coming to an end, and then I’ll have nothing connecting me to that world anymore. I was terrified that my foot was being shoved out the door.
I first connected with Baylee through Facebook. For whatever reason (I’ve never asked!), she friend-requested me, and having recognized her from the comment section of a band on Instagram, I accepted, and followed her on Instagram. I started seeing posts from her about something called Banded, and at first, I didn’t give it much thought – it just wasn’t something I considered for myself. As my life began to get more chaotic, with the question of whether or not I’d get into graduate school looming over me, the stress of writing a thesis and completing my last semester of coursework, and running an undergraduate club, I subconsciously was looking for something that would last beyond my last semester. I truthfully don’t remember what it was that lit the fire under me, or how I ended up on the Banded website looking at the form to submit to become a contributor, but there I was. I hesitated for the longest time, afraid I didn’t have the time to do it, but a song that had fueled my life ever since I first heard it in 2019 popped into my head.
It’s funny, I’ve written about this song for Banded – quite the full circle moment. “Waiting for Life to Begin” by The Shelters inspires me in ways most of the songs I love haven’t been able to touch.
I don’t have enough time. It’s something you want to do; you can make time. I’m not a good enough writer for this. Who ever said that? Learn from the other contributors and develop your skills as you go. No time for self-doubt. Knowing that the musicians could see what I write freaks me out, not to mention maybe getting into interviews. Get outside of your comfort zone, it’s good for you. I’m not ready. When will you ever really be ready for anything? If you wait until you’re ready, it’ll be too late. This opportunity is in front of you now. Take it.
Life was happening and opportunities were presenting themselves in that moment, regardless of whether or not I was ready. I could be scared, or I could follow the advice of that Shelters song and go for it. It was because I’m a fangirl that I made that leap to industry.
Not only is my story one of going from fangirl to industry; it is BECAUSE I’m a fangirl that I got into industry.
My fangirl/industry story is very intertwined within itself. Being a fangirl led me to industry, and being part of the music industry has led me to new fangirl experiences. These two things feed each other.
Kristal Terrell | Digital Marketing at MTV
My first fangirl is experience was helping my friend, Vivian run her account @JustinCrew back in 2011. Eventually I became a co-owner of the Instagram (170k+ followers) and Twitter account (1+ million followers). Being a fan of Justin Bieber helped to define me as a fangirl — it introduced me to other fans turned professionals, seeing what jobs were available in the industry, etc.
Being a fangirl helped to land me the job I have now with MTV. On both my cover letter, I shared how being a fangirl prepared me for the role and it was something that my team mentioned help me to stand out. Because fans understand fans and speak the language!
Emily Jade | Music Photographer, Journalist, and Editor
I’d probably say my first experience was when I became a fan of All Time Low back when I was 13. Helped me through a real rough patch of my life and I was lucky enough to meet them when I was 16.
I’m a music photographer, journalist and editor of a magazine. My love for music and bands gave me the passionI needed to really give me everything I have to what I do, it’s the reason I got into music photography as I loved it but wanted to add my love for music into the mix too!
Kiki Gilligan| BANDED Writer and Music Influencer
I like to think of my journey as a fangirl in stages; the seed being planted into my personality from a very young age. The first time I deeply invested in an artist was in my single digits, easily, and it was none other than Michael Jackson. I remember my best friend's mom sitting us down in front of the computer and showing us the Thriller music video, and while my friend was terrified, I was instantly hooked. I went home and spun my mother’s original pressing of the album daily, studied the choreography in his videos, and the fantasy of the legendary MJ coming to visit me one day while I was sick in my hospital bedroom, as he would for many other ill children, quickly became a dream of mine.
When he passed away, my parents referred to me as the most emotional 9-year-old they had ever known, as I went and cried in my shower for what had to be at least a half hour, (and now in retrospect as a 21-year-old looking back, the fact I did shed so many tears over a man I had never known makes me giggle, but he truly meant so much to me and my creativity). My love for the King of Pop though steered me down a road of dedication to the art form that has always meant the most to me: music.
The first time I was able to express to musicians their power in the art they share with the world, and what I would believe to be the moment I truly identified with the title of being a fangirl was when I was 14 years old. I was teased in middle and high school day in and day out for loving R5, a five-piece family band with frontman Ross Lynch, who starred on the Disney Channel series Austin & Ally. Nobody’s words could diminish my love for those five sweethearts that decorated my early teenage bedroom, and the group I forced all my nurses to listen to with me during my annual hospital stays as a kid. One trip to see the group, though, resulted in a night I will never forget. Prior to the gig I managed to make my way to the meet & greet and get my picture with the band. Upon my arrival, following their down to earth hugs and getting our picture taken together, I looked at Ross and his bandmates as they all appeared like skyscrapers to me, (my five foot tall behind was a nugget standing next to these men towering over me at LEAST six feet tall and Rydel in massive gorgeous boots) and started spewing out gratitude. Thanking them for being there for me when they never knew and during some of my hardest days. I was able to let them know just how much they meant to me, and all those times I had hung up their pictures on my hospital bedroom walls, and the ones at home too. I’ll never forget Ross shining his electrifying smile and telling me I was “so cool,” and Rydel, teary eyed, demanding that I give her another hug. After those ten minutes with the band I knew I wanted a lifetime full of moments just like that one.
My next move is to continue my place here on BANDED PR, to expand my social media networking and TO KEEP SHOWING UP! The best way to be a fangirl, and just a fan of music in general is to show up and do your part in showing your support. I’m pursuing a life of endlessly choosing the road and inner happiness, and I want to inspire other people that despite the curveballs life throws at us and despite any ailment or obstacle in our way, we ALL can live a life that we’re proud of.
Jasmine Zade | Music Business Student and YouTuber
My first fangirl experience runs really deep for me. In a way that feels mind-blowing, actually, because that very experience ended up acting as a basis for my entire career and large parts of my personality. I was eleven, and stumbled across the boys of One Direction after flipping through J-14 magazines for collage pieces, and they ended up being my safe space for years to come. This is what reminds me that the butterfly effect is truly beyond me because that one decision to cut out their pictures from the magazine led me to researching them online, then learning about them, falling in love with them, and then framing what felt like my whole life around that culture. Fandom culture.
I spent all my free time running fan accounts for One Direction, reading stories about them, making drawings to hang in my room, even staying up late to watch livestreams of their tour shows and post live updates on social media. Some of my most prominent teenage memories are going to the mall with my friends to see their cardboard cutouts, crying over concert tickets, and going to watch their film in theaters over and over; dressed like a One Direction fan would. There’s not a single doubt in me that growing up with this band is exactly what defines me as a fangirl, and has taught me valuable lessons about true friendship, community, and new-age music branding and marketing. The One Direction fandom really was its own community with very specific elements that made it a stand-out in the world of music fandoms, especially the amount of detail fans would pay attention to on the management and behind-the-scenes side. Being a One Direction fan meant being analytical, hard-working, supportive, and innovative; it was like a career on its own, and I don’t think many of us realized how important it was until now.
These are the exact things that lead me in the direction of a passion for the music industry and giving a voice to the fangirls like me who do so much for it. I spent about 2 years making YouTube videos about One Direction specifically that gave me an incredible platform and so much support and exposure, and I loved the opportunity to explore my opinions on their management, what made them popular, and the true impact of music-fandom culture. That YouTube channel just about One Direction made me realize I had a real passion and need for digging into the business side of music and rallying for change in the areas of diversity and male-dominance. I remembered a friend telling me about finishing her Music Business courses at school, so I looked further into the path, and eventually decided I wanted my Bachelor’s to be exactly that. It was a life saver for me to start studying something I cared so much about, and used it almost as an extension of my fangirl heart, and it only went further and further. I began making regular YouTube videos about the music industry and not just One Direction and built up a brand for myself that truly highlighted my music and music pop culture passion. These videos have put me in touch with some incredible people and opportunities that never stop being exciting. Along with studying Music Business I’ve gotten to do street marketing for an American Idol winner, work hand-in-hand with Universal Music on video projects, and even help a string of indie artists find their brand in the industry, and it’s only the beginning. All of these steps I’ve made in my music industry journey, however, truly have boiled back down to my start as a fangirl.
I learned that growing up in the One Direction fandom was actually such a powerful tool in the world of music internships as I settled into my dream of becoming an artist manager. I have valuable, transferable skills because I was a fangirl; like community management, writing, research, audience acquisition, social media, and even some basic marketing. It was really empowering to use these skills and my own, real interests as an authenticity factor to speak to industry professionals and work with small artists. I never want being a fangirl to stop being a part of me and what did everything for me in the first place, and I absolutely hope to inspire many, many more to own how important it is.
Giuliana Jarrin | Various Parts of the Music Industry
My first fangirl experience started when I was about four years old - even younger - and it was Michael Jackson. I just adored him. He was everything to me! I loved his voice, his dance moves. I have lots of memories of his music and watching his videos. I learned how to use my VHS to record his concerts, so it all started from there.
My father used to live in the US, so he used to listen to all of this music in English. I used to always listen to rock music because of him. That’s also how I eventually got into Aerosmith and I remember watching this special on Steven Tyler, and I specifically remember watching him, his outfits, and the way he moved around on stage. When I was 11, I listened to “Jaded” for the first time and that was the moment where I really became a hardcore fan. Something inside of me just exploded and that was a moment where I became super interested about a particular band. If it wasn’t for Aerosmith, I wouldn’t be the kind of fangirl I am today.
I’ve been working with bands since 2008. Little by little, I began to learn that there were people that were actually behind the music and it made me realize that I still could do something because I’m a graphic designer, so I was like, “I could design logos, I can design posters!”
I’ve even done some collaborations with Aerosmith and have made some templates for them and some content, also help their content creator by making some playlists on Spotify, using my fan knowledge!
By being a fangirl, you learn how fans behave. Some of us actually want to work for these bands. They think that fangirls are immature girls who just scream and cry, and that we only want to be next to rockstars. They don’t actually know that we’re professionals who could really elevate their marketing if they used our knowledge and the passion we have because we only want the best for them.
Emily | Social Media and Marketing
I’m a senior finishing up my last semester at university to get my free in Public Relations. I also just wrapped up a digital marketing internship at Crowd Surf and decided to stay with the company after I finished.
Growing up, I was (and still am) a major One Direction fangirl. I’ve followed them since I was twelve, and as a sophomore in high school, I worked on planning fan projects for my shows at stadiums that held almost 43K people. This is what really sparked my love for creating campaigns through social media for artists I love, and now I’ve had the opportunity to do it professionally, doing things I never thought I would do would be able to do for some of my favorite artists of all time.
I even still find time to create fan events as a fan outside of work just for fun, so still being able to balance my life as a fangirl with being a professional now and developing an awesome path towards my dream has been a really cool adventure.
Carla Jara | Video Content Producer
I grew up a huge fangirl of artists like the Jonas Brothers and after university, I got my start in the music industry as a Promo Assistant for a major LA radio station. I worked my way upwards and now, I’m currently a full time Video Content Producer for Audacy, Inc. where I’ve had the opportunity to both film and photograph The Jonas Brothers, bringing it full circle.
The stories that were told by these fantastic women proves one thing - Fangirls are powerful. You may not think so, but the passion we have for the bands and artists we love helps us out in every way possible. Especially when it comes to being a music industry professional. We all have stories; we all have that one band/artist that inspired us so much that it led us to what we do now in the music business.
Fangirls rule the music business.