About the Project
I started this year with a focus on defending teen dramas from their infamous reputation. After hours of research, it was made clear to me that people did not have an innate distaste in teen dramas, but rather for the people who liked them. The shows have developed this reputation not due to any bad press, but because of the aggressive bullying that is directed towards the fan group. And this does not solely pertain to shows like Gossip Girl, Gilmore Girls, or even One
Tree Hill- it is apparent in the treatment of One Direction (and more recently BTS) as well as countless other forms of media. For example, read the following sentence: DOCTOR WHO. SUPERNATURAL. LARRY STYLINSON. HARRY POTTER... DRACOTOK!!! I bet that sent shivers down your spine, or caused a spike in your blood pressure. Why do you feel that way?
More importantly, who do you picture when you imagine said social media post?
Social media has usually been a fantastic way for people who enjoy these titles to build communities and share fan-created content regarding them. However, the rise of Tik Tok (and its algorithm that prioritizes polarizing content) has led to outsiders who do not necessarily understand this content being led into these spaces. This has led to a rise in increasingly violent
hatred towards members of fandom groups. When considering a “fangirl’s” place in all of this, that opens the door for blatant misogyny. I created this video essay to examine the underlying emotions and historical context that surrounds this surprisingly weighty and layered topic.
Image Credit: Business Insider
All About Me
Hello! My name is Nina Groll. I am a theater entrepreneur, a student at the University of
Michigan, and a former Tumblr sensation. My work largely revolves around pop culture- you
may have seen my passion project, Northern Town Parodies, on YouTube. There, I work in
creating original comedy musicals that pay homage to our favorite IPs, genres, and tropes while
also examining what popular media can do better (with a comical twist). When I’m not making a
fool of myself onstage, I’m probably writing about Gossip Girl (five research projects and
counting!). Despite my past in media analysis, this is my first time focusing on the people who
put the “pop” in pop culture. As a member of their ranks, I hope I have done them justice.