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[medorafarno]

What if...

What if Louis' contracts with his label/management were actually expiring and he was no longer forced to renew with them?

The conditions that led Louis to sign those restrictive contracts probably no longer exist. There's no longer a band to protect. And Harry's career is now solid, as is his image, capable of withstanding any media backlash. The weapons they had to blackmail him and keep him in check no longer seem so effective. Perhaps they still have an NDA to protect them from future uncomfortable statements, but that wouldn't stop Louis, and Harry of course, from coming out into the open. And the resulting damage to the industry's reputation would be devastating. Because even if it wasn't explicitly stated, it would be clear to everyone that their closeting was real.

What if the only way to stem the threat was to deprive Louis of even the desire to come out? By isolating him, discrediting him, intensifying the sometimes questionable image they've painted of him over the years?

Certainly, what allowed Louis and Harry to endure this endless ordeal was the strength they found in each other, in their unbreakable bond. But for fifteen years, they could always count on a significant segment of fans who understood the reality of things and who didn't hesitate to support them in every way possible, devotedly. Now, this devotion would be a significant nuisance to the system. It would be a sounding board that was difficult to silence; it would attract too much attention. So, what to do? How to get rid, cleanly, of these age-old thorns in their sides? By driving them to self-eliminate, maybe?

And this is where the chaos begins!

What if the PR team's brilliant idea to permanently disperse the "devoted supporters" base was to create another stunt? This time, not to dispel rumors, not to divert attention from an uncomfortable relationship, and certainly not to promote the artist's image. But with the primary goal of exasperating "those" fans, hitting them where they know it will hurt the most.

So the choice doesn't fall on another "nice girl", the harmless, easily tolerable girl next door. But on a controversial and divisive figure, light years away from Louis's world and what he, and the other boys, have always represented to fans. Controversial not only for her background, but for her questionable statements on politics, integration, and civil rights, never denied but rather proudly flaunted. This association obviously raises eyebrows from the start. Nothing new, however, nothing the fans weren't used to. They grit their teeth and put up with it. But for the management, that's not enough, and they decide to up the ante. It's time for the toxic tweet. The tweet paints a picture of Louis starting to show a certain intolerance for what's circulating about him on social media, which is immediately and skillfully exploited by those in charge (management, PR team, armed phalanxes of fans who have fully embraced the narrative imposed by the system) as a direct attack against those very "devoted supporters." And the blows begin to land. Threats, signs of intolerance, and outright bullying spread. Some no longer feel protected, some believe the game isn't worth the effort, some begin to doubt. And the "evil team" scores its first point.

But it's still not enough. Time is running out. The contract with the stunt woman probably won't last very long, and she's already achieved everything she wanted. Maximum visibility, promotion of her projects and brands, an improved image and a significant increase in followers. Furthermore, the Soccer Aid effect (we're still good friends/I'm very proud of him) and the Glastonbury bomb (H&L in the same place, the "Like" on the Larry Reel, the "Hopelessly Romantic" T-shirt) have rekindled the hope and faith of "devotees". A July of concerts begins for Louis, and although he spares no effort in sending reassuring messages (I love Him, a giant Him on the LED Wall, his clothing, his blue-green, his merch, his visible loving look in the sea of Pride flags), everything is destroyed by yet another tweet. The artist admits he's hurt by the treatment reserved for his loved ones on social media, so much so that he has no other option than to distance himself. What was once again presented as a harsh accusation against some of his fans went viral, escalating the attacks against them. And insecurity and doubts began to grow among them, with more than a few turning against Louis himself, guilty of failing to defend them, or worse, deceiving them. The process of disintegration now seemed unstoppable. The final piece of the puzzle was the artist's launch on a new social media platform (it's fair to assume that this was the ultimate goal of the dissatisfaction with traditional social media), from which some of his followers were "democratically" excluded by the rules and on which they were constantly insulted and threatened.

If they don't fit into the bigger picture, they'll end up non-existent!

Objective achieved... or almost.

Now, imagine a Louis with an album coming out and a tour to organize, alone, without adequate promotion and without management and a label to support him, banned from mainstream media. Imagine he can no longer even count on that, who knows how large, segment of fans who have always supported and loved him for who he really is, not for how he was sold, because someone has succeeded in making them disappear. Would he really have enough strength to come out in the open despite everything, under these conditions?

Maybe this is an overly apocalyptic vision of the situation... I hope so!

[twopoppies]

The idea of larrie-baiting makes no sense to me. Assume Larry never existed and L and H were never anything more than friends (not what any of us believe, but just for arguments sake imagine this world). Let's assume the narrative is true, they were close friends and then Larry shipping caused them to drift apart, the band broke up, they don't see each other anymore and have totally separate careers.

Why would they be larrie-baiting all these years on? Assuming they were nothing to each other why would they be still signalling a decade after they last appeared together publicly and 12-13 years after they were friends? Like who puts that much thought into an ex-friendship and makes it such a big deal in their life/career? Sure, in this universe Larry was still important because it was a big phenomenon in fandom, but if there were no truth to it wouldn't they want their fans to move beyond it?

H especially is super popular in the mainstream. He doesn't need Larries and I think a lot of Larries would support him whether or not he signaled at this point because of everything in the past.

L is more niche and possibly/probably a higher percentage of his fans are Larries. Still assuming there never was a Larry it makes no sense that he would take the position he's in now of publicly denying it (bullshit 2.0, recent denials in 2022 or whenever) while on the side "larrie-baiting." It seems if Larry never existed this dissonance wouldn't exist. He would either leave it ambiguous (attracting the most possible Larries) or deny it outright (bc it's not true and he hates Larry). The current incongruity with his actions vs his denials only makes sense if Larry actually existed and it was covered up.

Agreed.

in reference to this

[twopoppies]

Hello Gina, this isn't the first time I've read about the supposed fanservice surrounding Larry, and they're all so wrong. Everyone sees the situation as if Larry is something from this decade and forgets that it's actually from about 15 years ago. They would never have risked their best, most appealing products for girls in the 2010s to fake a secret relationship between two members of the biggest boy band. What they would have done is force them to hide a real relationship. I know people see current LGBTQ+ artists having careers and think it's all smooth sailing, but it's not the same emerging as a queer artist in 2022 as it was in 2010. It's not even easy now, so years ago it must have been an even bigger nightmare. I'm not saying Larry can't generate an audience; obviously it does, and these are people who will buy merch, go to concerts, and do a lot for them. That's indirect, it doesn't mean it's their intention. How is it supposed to be fanservice when we have to dig deep to understand these men's minds? How is it supposed to be fanservice when there are things so subtle that if you don't know the story from the beginning or if you don't dedicate a huge amount of time to understanding Larry, you probably won't get it? Not to mention that it's not appealing to fall for this "fanservice,"🙄 to be larrie and know you'll be harassed; many people have left because of the harassment. I really don't understand the lack of critical thinking skills some people have.

Agreed.

in reference to this

[medorafarno]

DOES HATE AND VENOM PAY OFF IN THE MEDIA?

I hope none of us is yet so naive as to not know that much of the stuff that attracts us in the media, and especially on the internet, is specifically created or crafted for that purpose. Creating hype around a product, an event, a show, feeding the audience with content aimed at building customer loyalty (the fan in this case), entertaining gags that showcase the human and witty side of the characters in question, and hypothetical romances or bromances, are fairly well-known and predictable marketing techniques; to some extent, they've always existed. The internet and social media are now a fundamental tool, capable of instantly increasing the reach of these strategies tenfold. And so far, nothing new.

But what if even the widespread hatred within fandoms was strategically fomented? Few things capture attention and keep it alive longer than a good feud. Especially on social media. Especially in times like these. People love a good story, but love blood even more.

Does being a fan of an artist, a show, a franchise automatically mean having a seed of toxicity? Because that's what we're led to believe when analyzing what happens within the colorful world of fandoms. These aren't just a few isolated cases; this happens constantly, following virtually the same patterns. Whether it's actors, singers, or fictional characters. Behaviors or statements are exploited to create friction within the fandom, with rival factions supporting one side or another, raising the tone to excess, and resorting to verbal abuse. I repeat, every single successful media product of the last 10/15 years, especially those aimed at a teen or young adult audience, has developed this kind of dynamic within its fandom. How can this be possible?

So, one of two things: either fans are toxic by nature, or hate is another very profitable tool for advertising.

Let's be clear: obsessive and borderline fan behavior exists, has always existed, and must always be condemned. There are insurmountable limits to expressing one's opinions, whether positive or negative. And they're set not only by law but also, and above all, by common sense. Unfortunately, it's difficult to rely on it given the world we live in! But is being a devoted fan the same as being toxic?

In any case, PR teams know full well that they can't alienate fans entirely, as they are the lifeblood of their product's success. So why not throw a match in a puddle of oil? Why not pit them against each other, convincing them they're each on the right side of the story, and let them tear each other apart? Why not transform them from mere spectators into an integral part of the show? Media success would be guaranteed. The feud would keep attention on the product alive well beyond its expiration date.

The One Direction fandom is still alive after a ten-year hiatus. Would it be so if it weren't for the rivalry between Larries and Antis, and between parts of the fanbases of each band member? (I should point out that as a Larry believer, I don't believe in Larrybaiting, but I'm rather convinced of ragebaiting. Fueling conflict by throwing provocations is a system that works)

An adult and intelligent TV series like Heated Rivalry handled its sudden global popularity very well, until its long-term serialization became concrete and its protagonists exploded in the media. Then come the jackals. Hatred toward this or that protagonist, racial slurs, homophobic insults, accusations of queerbaiting, invasion of privacy. These dynamics have already been highlighted in similar products like Heartstopper or Young Royals. But the phenomenon is obviously not limited to queer shows or queer media. Stranger Things, as well as anything related to the Star Wars, Marvel, or Harry Potter franchises, have developed the same negative elements. And many more.

So, if we're willing to acknowledge that much of what we see in the world of celebrity and show business is artificial, why not hypothesize that some of the toxicity of fandoms is also artfully orchestrated for publicity?

So what should the solution be? Ignore everything the media spreads? It would be desirable but unrealistic. We are simple human beings! Completely stop following any celebrity or entertainment product? It would be healthy, but also rather boring. Being passionate about something is part of our DNA! As fans, perhaps, before losing our minds, we should simply stop and consider that we could be the victims of deliberate manipulation, that our vehement reaction is what they expect and want. And then we should try not to fall into their trap, even if it's tough.

If they bark at a wall, sooner or later they'll lose their voice!

[medorafarno]

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[medorafarno]

No conspiracy or paranoia, this is how PR teams openly work. What follows are not my lucubrations but a summary of what is considered essential for successful public relations by the PR team sources themselves.

Schematic modus operandi:

• leading public opinion by strategically shaping narratives and leveraging communication channels to build credibility, trust, and connection. Rather than forcing messages, they guide perception through a mix of targeted strategies and psychological framing

• guiding how the public interprets information, deciding which facts to highlight, downplay, or omit, shaping the context of a story

• because consumers are naturally skeptical of direct advertising, PR teams bypass this by securing earned media as editorial news coverage, expert interviews, and influencer endorsements (a.n. tabloids, gossip spreaders, social media accounts, purpose-built fan accounts, famous friends and family endorsement). Having a respected third party validate a brand or idea significantly boosts credibility

• by consistently distributing information across high-impact platforms, drawing attention to specific topics, dictating what the public thinks about. The more frequently a message is featured in trusted outlets and shared on social media, the more normal and accepted it becomes

• when public sentiment turns negative, deploying targeted reputation management to limit damage and restore trust, through transparent communication, community engagement, and strategic media placement

~So what is the relationship between public relations and public opinion? All public relations processes focus on influencing public opinion. PR, unlike marketing, isn't about selling products. Rather, PR activities involve managing reputations and changing people's opinions so they take specific actions, strategically shaping perceptions. One way public relations can influence public opinion is through repeated exposure to your brand and your messages. You can use various strategies and platforms, such as news sites, paid search engine advertising, social media, or even influencer marketing. The more people see your PR messages, the more likely it is to influence their opinion of your brand. One of the best ways to influence public opinion through public relations is to gain the support of credible third parties, such as media outlets, celebrities, journalists, social media influencers, or opinion leaders. Third-party endorsement makes PR efforts more genuine and authentic, influencing people positively.~ (source: R PUBLIC RELATION rprfirm)

~Public relations is all about storytelling. It's the art of creating and sharing compelling narratives that resonate with your target audience. PR professionals act as storytellers, weaving stories that not only convey information but also evoke emotion and create a sense of connection. PR strategies are designed to cultivate a positive public image, effectively manage crises, and mitigate potential damage. Building and maintaining relationships is a fundamental pillar of public relations. Whether with the media, customers, employees, or the community at large, cultivating positive relationships is essential. PR activities aim to create a two-way communication channel. Social platforms offer an unprecedented opportunity to connect directly with audiences, share stories in real time. PR professionals leverage the power of social media to amplify messages, monitor public sentiment, and respond promptly to emerging trends. A well-executed social media strategy can transform visibility and influence. Public relations are crucial for shaping perceptions. They involve strategic communication aligned with corporate goals and values. Through carefully crafted messages, PR professionals influence the public's perception. This proactive approach allows to control their narrative, emphasizing positive aspects and addressing potential misunderstandings. The impact of public relations extends far beyond the business world. Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and INDIVIDUALS also use PR to achieve their goals. The power of public relations lies in its ability to tell compelling stories, manage reputations, build relationships, and shape perceptions.~ (source: ZELEN communication)

~A public relations team acts as a bridge between a subject and the outside world. Through spontaneous media coverage, clear communication, and timely responses, they help build trust that advertising alone cannot achieve. Digital presence and brand authority are now inseparable. Public relations teams play a key role in shaping public perception through coordinated communications. A PR team is responsible for managing all public communications. Their primary goal is to influence external audiences' perceptions in a clear, consistent, and credible way, often tailoring communications to the target audience to ensure messages are effective and resonate with those most likely to be interested. Unlike marketing or advertising teams, which focus on promotion and sales, a public relations team focuses on reputation and relationships. They collaborate with journalists, media outlets, and online platforms to gain visibility. Public relations team members operate both proactively and reactively. In the proactive phase, they plan announcements, ensuring each includes the key elements needed to gain media coverage and support. They also plan and execute public relations campaigns to achieve specific objectives. In the reactive phase, they respond to negative media coverage, misinformation, or unexpected events that could impact public perception. The meaning of a PR team boils down to this: it's the group responsible for helping a subject control its narrative, strengthen public trust, and maintain a positive reputation in an environment where information spreads rapidly and public opinion matters more than ever. It makes the difference between leaving one's reputation to chance and actively shaping it.~ (source: EASYPR)

If this all sounds familiar, it's because that's exactly how it works!

[medorafarno]

Not speculation but chronicle of facts! (*accurate I hope*)

HARRY & Taylor Swift:

• December 31, 2012 - NYE kiss show in Times Square for photographers benefit

• January 3, 2013 - pap pics during romantic trip at the British Virgin Islands

• January 4, 2013 - BU, TS leaves alone on a boat

HARRY & Kendall Jenner 1.0:

• January 19, 2014 - attending together Eagles show in L.A.

• January 25, 2014 - still together driving around L.A.

• February 23, 2014 - BUA

LOUIS & Eleanor Calder 1.0:

• February 8, 2015 - pap pics during yacht party with Niall, Liam and gf in Sidney

• February 13, 2015 - pics of relax time at Bondi Beach, Sidney

• March 7, 2015 - probable BU

• March 22, 2015 - BUA posted by The Sun (after the pool gate)

HARRY & Kendall Jenner 2.0:

• December 29/31, 2015 - yacht show and pap pics in the Caribbean

• January 1st, 2016 - BU, Harry disappears from the yacht

LOUIS & Danielle Campbell:

• December 31, 2016 - pap pics of DC walking hand in hand with ex boyfriend

• January 2017 - released security CAM video of kiss between DC and actor Tyler Posey

• January 19, 2017 - BUA posted by The Sun

HARRY & Camille Rowe:

• June 21/22, 2018 - CR attending Harry's MSG shows, dancing with his family

• July 30, 2018 - BUA posted by The Sun, BU occurred weeks earlier

HARRY & Olivia Wilde:

• first half of November 2022 - OW attending Harry's show in L.A and pap pics outside gym and restaurant

• November 18, 2022 - BUA posted by People

HARRY & Taylor Russell:

• April 15/24, 2024 - romantic trip in Japan, TR leaves alone

• May 19/20, 2024 - BUA posted by The Sun, Mirror and People

<Everyone can draw their own conclusions!>

[medorafarno]

View this post on Instagram

Mrs Anne likes this post! So does that mean she gives her blessing to Harry and Grimshaw's relationship?

[twopoppies]

https://x.com/deluriad/status/2056286353223029042?s=46

Now that is a clear kiss!

And yet, we're "delulu."

x

[twopoppies]

Viva, viva, Palestina!

x

[voxina]

Former boy band members Ricky Garcia and Lance Bass are shedding light on the dark side of the entertainment industry, warning that young artists are often targeted by predators who exploit fame, money and power.

Garcia, 28, who starred on the Disney show "Best Friends Whenever," was a member of the boy band Forever in Your Mind. Bass, 46, rose to global stardom alongside Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick as members of *NSYNC, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.

Both singers appeared in the new Investigation Discovery docuseries "Boy Band Confidential," which explores the highs and lows of boy band fame.

"Boy Band Confidential" premiered April 13 and 14 on Investigation Discovery.

During an interview with Fox News Digital at the docuseries' premiere, Garcia, who previously won a multi-million dollar sexual abuse lawsuit against his former manager, issued a warning about predatory behavior in show business.

"I think it's the number-one focus that people in the industry should be aware of," he said. "It seems like it's all glitz and glamor to people, but the reality is there's people that are abusing others."

"They use power, money, fame — all of it," Garcia continued. "Like cars and houses and money."

"I think that is very enticing and people use that against somebody that's very vulnerable, very fresh in the industry so I would be on the lookout for that," he added.

Garcia went on to say that artists examine their purpose for aspiring to careers in the entertainment industry.

"Like, 'Do you love the music or are you just trying to be famous?'" he said.

Reflecting on his own experience, Garcia identified early red flags for young artists and their families.

"I think the warning signs particularly is being isolated or being treated special," he said. "I'm just speaking for myself too, that was my experience. I was very isolated and I was picked off and ... I was treated very specially."

"If somebody is just treating you super nice and doing the dinners and doing all the fancy things for you, I would say that's not a great sign," Garcia continued. "It feels good in the moment, but you have to think about, 'OK, why is this person treating you this way? I don't really know them, so there must be a hidden motive.'"

"It's hard, because you wanna trust people, you wanna love people, but there's always a hidden agenda, especially for agents and managers and there has to be a very clear boundary, I think, with family and parents and even guardians," he said. "You need to know who is your safe person to talk to. There has to be really big communication."

While speaking with Fox News Digital, Bass also shared his advice for how people can protect themselves against potential predators.

"There's going to be predators everywhere no matter what business you're in — they are everywhere," he said. "So we have to be our own advocate for all of that — our family, our friends, our inner circle — we all have to be on the lookout for each other."

"Just rely on your family and your circle but just know that you're always — someone's always coming after you," Bass added. "No matter what it is — someone's coming after you."

[x, x]

[twopoppies]

x

[medorafarno]

I’ve seen it for straight couples too but I think rpf largely also shows a difference in how people view agency and respect. Respect based cultures that are primarily non western respect peoples agency whereas I notice rights based cultures which is primarily western cultures tend to have more entitlement to do what the individual desires to some extent.

This is also very true. Thank you for highlighting it. I believe it partly depends on the fact that celebrities influence, willingly or not, a large portion of public opinion and social behavior. Therefore, being able to critique or speculate on their private lives isn't seen as a serious intrusion, mistakenly. It's desirable that there are well-defined and inviolable limits that don't infringe on personal freedom, but rather the fact that frequently, now as in the past, many stars have championed causes that have contributed to social change. I could be wrong, but I believe that the core fandom like Larry or Hudcon isn't strictly interested in what they hypothetically do between the sheets (those are fantasies) but more in the disruptive power such a couple could have in reality for the queer community, and shipping them probably helps keep that hope alive

[medorafarno]

Genuine question

is RPF morally wrong in every case or only when it takes on queer connotations?

We have famous examples of RPFs that have become bestsellers and even successful movies, clearly inspired by the figure of Harry Styles, portrayed as a womanizer or obsessed with older women. Yet I don't see media ever discussing the ethical aspect of these products. As if these kinds of implications were even gratifying, compared to being portrayed as a queer character.

Far from me to judge Hudson Williams's outburst on this matter. If he felt in any way violated by these excesses linked to the success of Heated Rivalry, he has every right to assert himself. I'm totally on his side! I just wonder if the same unanimous, and sacrosanct, condemnation by media and gp would exist when fans' excessive fantasies involve two real straight people in a straight ship.

It's not a provocation but this consideration has been going around in my mind for days and I'm too ignorant on the subject to give myself a conclusive answer.

[medorafarno]

STEP 1: FIGHT THE DARKNESS

«Lets the light in»

STEP 2: EXPOSE THE FAKENESS

«Perfect timing.... Perfect lighting»

STEP 3: REVEAL WHO YOU REALLY ARE

«WE wanna dance with all our FRIENDS»

[sunnypeachyy]

Harry Styles - Dance No More MV

[medorafarno]

Okay, since there is no straight explanation for all this, I notice that the gp comments focus on Harry's dancing skills... Very funny 🙈🙉🙊

[medorafarno]

PERIOD! 💅