Online Reporter
ELSEWHERE in today’s edition we have views from some of Zimbabwe’s popular artistes on the challenges they face when out in the public, especially at live shows where they mix and mingle with fans.
This follows an incident recently where a fan begged Enzo Ishall for a selfie moment on the backstage just before the artiste took to the stage.
While Ishall was focusing on his grand entry, the fan took a selfie opportunity to steal an unsolicited kiss, which left the artiste disappointed.
He however, had to quickly ‘regroup’ and take to the stage.
The incident sparked discussions on the growing and uncomfortable reality for celebrities in the age of hyper-accessibility with focus on how should artistes of celebrities sustain fan engagement while protecting their personal boundaries?
A challenge for artistes is that fans who pay their way to live shows are not just admirers but actually a big source of livelihood given that the gate charges contribute a significant part of their earnings.
The fans, especially the ones that eventually cross the line, do a lot in terms of filling up venues, stream the music, buy the merchandise, and amplify the brand on social media.
It is an important relationship in the entertainment industry.
However, stakeholders in the entertainment industry agree that when fan enthusiasm tips into physical intrusion, the line between admiration and abuse becomes dangerously blurred.
The challenge or dilemma for local artistes is that they need to be accessible to fans as they are the biggest source of survival unlike their counterparts overseas, who have tight security at all times and are not accessible.
It is accepted that musicians, by the nature of their work, often create deep emotional connections with their audiences through their lyrics, which dwell on issues like love, struggle, triumph, and pain.
But should the local artistes allow their personal space to be breached as part of keeping the fans with them?
Should artistes be abused for the simple reason that those fans contribute much of their earnings?
Going back to the Enzo Ishall incident, he did not ask to be kissed and that situation can never be described as an act of love. Instead, it was a violation of the artiste by an entitled fan.
The challenge for local artistes is devising how to remain accessible to their fans without becoming vulnerable.
Crucially important is that security should not be viewed as arrogance on the part of the artistes, especially those that have gained fame. The artistes like Enzo Ishall need decent security to safeguard their personal space.
On top of personal security, promoters and event organizers must do more to ensure fan safety and artist dignity whereby things like meet-and-greets should be structured.
On the other hand, fans should not think that celebrities owe them intimacy and that love and support for an artiste should never justify personal intrusion.
Come on! These so called celebrities, aren’t celebrities but trash that is associated with indecency. Why are artists like Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Jah Prayzah, Sulu Chimbetu not harassed by their fans in that way? The reason is clear, they go about their business in a mature, decent and respectful manner. They don’t sing trashy stuff full of obscene language and gestures on stage. They don’t dress like pimps. Those fans who “harass” them are just as trashy as their “celebrities”. There is no difference between the two.