Celebrity feud that has occurred over social media.
Select a celebrity feud that has occurred over social media. You may choose from the following examples or propose your own with instructor approval:
Megan Thee Stallion/Cardi B vs. Nicki Minaj
Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar
Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift
50 Cent vs. Ja Rule
Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun
Rihanna vs. Ciara
Nick Cannon vs. Eminem
Research the Feud: Research the feud you’ve chosen. Identify key events, social media posts, and fan reactions. Use credible sources such as news articles, interviews, social media content, and academic resources to support your analysis.
Apply Criminological Theories: Use at least two criminological theories discussed in class (e.g., strain theory, labeling theory, conflict theory, social learning theory) to analyze the escalation of the conflict. Explain how the feud reflects criminal or deviant behavior within the context of fan interactions, social media platforms, and celebrity culture.
Analyze Fan Engagement: Discuss the role of fan behavior in fueling the conflict. How do parasocial relationships and online communities contribute to the escalation of tension between the celebrities involved?
Conclusion: Summarize your findings and suggest possible resolutions to prevent future conflicts.
Sample Answer
Researching the Feud:
The Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift feud is a long-standing and highly publicized conflict that began at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Key events include:
- 2009 VMAs: Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for “Best Female Video” to assert that Beyoncé deserved the award. This sparked widespread outrage and public condemnation.
- Subsequent Apologies and Retractions: Both parties made various public statements and apologies over the years, but the conflict continued to resurface.
- “Famous” Controversy (2016): Kanye West released the song “Famous,” which included the line “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b**** famous.” This led to a public dispute over whether Swift had consented to the lyric.