Decoding Fandom is a weekly column that dives deep into the world of fan culture and runs on Wednesdays in the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter. If you want to read this column before everyone else, sign up for the newsletter here.

The band Twenty One Pilots surrounded by fan art. There is text in a Daily Dot newsletter web_crawlr font that says 'Decoding Fandom' in the bottom right corner.

For Twenty One Pilots fans, fan art is a means of expression, community-building

Pop culture of all kinds inspire fan works, but the Twenty One Pilots fandom appears particularly creative.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Katy Perry on helicopter holding light against close up of her. There is text that says Decoding Fandom in the bottom left corner.

The Katy Perry fandom can’t save her from flopping

Responses to her new song have been largely negative —oftentimes scathingly so.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
David Tennant with celebratory background

Fans celebrate David Tennant’s takedown of TERFs, Tories

While attending the British LGBT Awards, he made several statements that had many cheering him on.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Megan Thee Stallion with abstract background

Fans feel seen by new anime-inspired Megan Thee Stallion song

While it’s not surprising that Megan released a song centered on anime, fans were nonetheless overjoyed at the overt shoutout.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Charil XCX(l), Lorde(r)

Charli XCX and Lorde made the internet go wild

When the song finally came out, fans could hardly contain themselves.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Alan Cumming(l), Cher(c), Chucky Doll(r) in front of lgbtqia flag

Peacock’s Pride collection paints a compelling picture of queer fandom

Digging deeper into their pride collection, we can get a better understanding of how Peacock understands their LGBTQ subscribers.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Amandla Stenberg stars in “The Acolyte.”

‘The Acolyte’ hate proves the ‘Star Wars’ fandom is just as toxic as ever

These critiques beg the question: are these people really fans of Star Wars at all?

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet and Taika Waititi as Captain Blackbeard in Our Flag means death with hashtags '#DontStreamOnMax' '#WelcomeToMax' and '#DontGetAttached' written over it

Behind ‘Our Flag Means Death’ fans’ strategic campaigns to hold Max accountable for cancellations

We spoke to the architects behind the #DontStreamOnMax and #WelcomeToMax #DontGetAttached campaigns.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Jenny Nicholson(l), Star wars scene(r)

Jenny Nicholson’s ‘Star Wars’ hotel video essay has fans cheering on her Disney takedown

Nicholson’s video is a fascinating demonstration of consumer culture as mediated by social media.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Colleen Hoover and Taylor Swift over abstract background

‘It Ends With Us’ trailer divides Swifties, Colleen Hoover fans

While reactions to the trailer were largely negative on X, the opposite was true on TikTok.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Our Flag Means Death cast(l), David Zaslov(r)

‘Our Flag Means Death’ fans launch #DontStreamOnMax campaign, want David Zaslav fired

Fans of ‘Our Flag Means Death,’ one of many shows that Max has canceled recently, began a campaign to hold the network accountable. 

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Cast of NCIS Hawaii

Despite cancellation, ‘NCIS: Hawai’i’ fans still believe in representation

Marketed as the most diverse series in the franchise, NCIS: Hawai’i is beloved for its representation.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Taylor Swift with graphic background

After her latest album, the Swifties are trying to gatekeep Taylor Swift

Swifties claim that recent, fair weather fans of Swift have left the fandom because of the new album, which means only true fans remain.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Caitlin Clark holding Indiana Fever Jersey

Can WNBA fans make the league profitable?

It appears we might be entering a new era of WNBA fandom.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
Ella Purnell in Fallout in front of graphic background

‘Fallout’ TV series appeases most fans, though long-standing rifts persist

Though certain fans had gripes with specific details, others delighted in discovering all the easter eggs and callbacks to the game.

On by Kira Deshler

Pop Culture
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