For me, being a fan of Aaron Paul involves a mix of feelings that I can never completely express, I just feel and can’t explain.
You know when you try to find words to translate what you feel, but it’s impossible? I wish I had the right adjectives to simply open my heart and say how touched I am with your art, and with your attitudes towards others. The things that I think about writing or saying always seems very repetitive, or a little too over the top when describing the beauty of the person who has became my idol.
Sometimes it seems crazy to feel something so strong for a person I don’t even know personally, and at the same time, it’s also a nice feeling that always calms me down, and makes me only think about the positive and truly good things – a happy place.
Well, thinking about explaining it to myself, why this ‘inexplicable’ feeling exists, I decided to write about fans, the fans of Aaron Paul.
What is so special about this artist that makes so many people post about him every day? What does he have that enables this feeling in us, his fans, so many times without explanation?
Let’s try to understand!
As early as the medieval era, idols were solely linked to religion. As time went on religions such as the Catholic Church started to have less influence, and in its place human figures became the target of popular worship, starting with the kings and queens. Then slowly it became people of note such as scholars, poets, artists.
Now, it is the turn of the more famous pop stars and actors to be the idols, for whom we have admiration. This has grown to huge proportions as social media came into play with a decisive role in expanding exposure to so many, and more viewers becoming potential fans.
Only a few years ago, direct access to idols was much more difficult. Reliance to gain insight into idols came only in print media or viewing a weekly TV show, or waiting for that cinema release. These were the only interactions possible, and were strictly one sided, you watched their work but never had the chance to respond and fan ‘mail’ was the only chance of any direct contact.
Social networks however have completely changed everything, its accentuated the effect that television, radio and magazines have previously provided, and it now allows for an unprecedented interaction never seen before.
Fans Clubs
In the past we had organised fan clubs, they would have registered members who in turn would communicate with each other. It still wasn’t easy, the communication would likely be in person or via a printed newsletter, posted to invidual houses every month or quarter.
It was much more difficult to embrace your geek or fandom, since internet access still didn’t exist and you would rely on close friends to share your passions. If they didn’t, it was a very lonly place to be.
And then there was one thing that I personally always thought was insane, the written letters that fans made and sent to their idols. (I love Aaron Paul, I really do, but this is something I don’t think I would have ever seen myself doing). I’m glad that the concept of fan clubs has modernized and is now online in the form of ‘communities’ hehehe.
If you search ‘Aaron Paul Fans’ on Instagram, you’ll find dozens of pages exclusively dedicated to Aaron, each with a different style and personality. Each trying to celebrate our idol’s name in their own special way.
My intention when I created the @aaron_paul_fc page was simply to thank AP.
This page was born as a gesture of gratitude to him for helping me in a difficult time, that he doesn’t even realise or know about, but Aaron has such amazing energy. Through his art he really touches people’s hearts, and he rescued me when I didn’t see a light anymore at the end of the tunnel.
I will be forever grateful for that, and through this page I decided that I wanted to be a part of the community that continues to get his name out to as many people as possible (not that he needs anyone to promote his name, we know he’s already a world-renowned star in his own right, he doesn’t need anyone to market him), but I felt this urge, my heart is a positive light when I take time for the page, it’s truly one of the best moments of my day.
It is very gratifying to talk about a person who, in addition to being an extraordinary talent, also has other qualities that make him a human being of light, a truly special human being.
Another thing that I think is fantastic and that I never imagined would happen when I created this page, is that he, our favorite guy, manages to take the time to interact with his fans despite his many other commitments.
This is pretty crazy when you think about it. The guy has almost 6 million followers, he doesn’t even need to manage his page, if he wanted to, he could put someone else in there to post some stuff for him from time to time, and guarenteed even then, his fans would still be there for him.
But no, he insists on being there and showing that he is following what we are saying about him, it’s such a nice thing for him to do.
Check it out, it’s now 10:48 pm on November 1, 2022, and yesterday and today Aaron shared over 30 stories from people who tagged him on their social media. (Halloween brings about a LOT of Jesse Pinkman costumes, still as popular as ever!)
How many artists do you know that stop by to see why their fans are tagging you? I find this extraordinary!
My page, which is dedicated to Aaron Paul on Instagram, has a little more than 18k followers, and every time a new person arrives I’m very happy because it’s another one who will see what I have to say about him.
Every like, every comment, every share – I celebrate a lot, because it’s like I’ve successfully fulfilled my role as a fan.
I set out to do something fun, to celebrate a person I admire a lot, I will always just try to do my best.
We form a beautiful community, I’ve met people from all over the world, and what do we have in common? Of course it’s the love for our idol Aaron Paul! 🙂
I invited 5 people from our community, each from a different place in this world, to talk a little bit about this fan feeling, so check it out:
I always feel good thinking about Aaron Paul. His kindness is contagious, he is such a nice person and always smiling and happy makes me feel the same when I think of him. It’s like an escape from everyday problems. It might be weird, but it’s like I know him and he can be a good friend!
Claudia – Italy
Being an Aaron Paul fan for me, in retrospect, is a privilege.
It’s something I’m eternally grateful for, being able to support such a healthy person means everything to me.When I discovered Aaron Paul in Breaking Bad, it’s something that struck a chord with me, especially considering his onscreen chemistry with Bryan Cranston (one of the best ?).
Shortly after, I started checking out Aaron’s movies like Need for Speed, Adam and Triple 9, and I saw something unique about Aaron. My gut tells me to express great admiration for such a talented person, and for that, I will always be grateful. : )
Fajar Khan, Pakistan
It was Jesse Pinkman that drew me in, and it’s been Aaron Paul that’s kept me around. There is so much to admire and respect, too much to say right here, but having had a couple of tough and horrid years the one bright spark remains my escape into this happy world of the AP community and body of work.
It is crazy how someone you’ve never met inadvertedly changes things for the better, so much in what I’ve achieved recently is linked to my contributions to this site and actual self improvement as a result – I only wish one day I can thank you in person. Oh, and we need way more Cranston and Paul content of any kind to exist, way way more!
Jilbo, England
There are many reasons why I’m a fan of Aaron Paul, and it is not just because I could look at him all day (although I could definitely look at him all day–come on, that FACE!). It’s immediately clear there is more to him as an actor than just that relentless, drool-inducing prettiness. (Okay, I’m done objectifying him, promise!) ?
We hear a lot these days about what a cult of toxic personalities Hollywood can be. Aaron is different. He puts his work ahead of his image and allows it to speak for itself. Despite a career history of playing intense, brooding characters, he doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. His public persona exudes positivity and humour and he genuinely seems like a lovely, chill
dude…which only highlights the RIDICULOUSNESS of the guy’s SKILLS!Aaron has blown my mind on screen. Fully blown. There is a rawness and honesty that he brings to his characters that can only happen when an actor allows himself to be fully vulnerable, at the mercy of the story and his audience, and I’ve learned that Aaron will never give you anything but that level of commitment.
Tina Prud’homme from Canada ✌?
It is always a pleasure to watch him do his thing. (Even if it is on mute because you’re supposed to be listening in on a Zoom presentation but you put on El Camino for the nine thousandth time because that FACE! –Sorry! I couldn’t help it!) ?
Thanks for all you do, Mr. Paul! It’s greatly appreciated!
?????
With respect,
Aaron is a wonderful person, he is very nice to his fans, always attentive, always loving. He has an energy and magic that inevitably makes you love him. I haven’t been lucky enough to meet him in person, but I’ve seen that he’s always so kind to his fans, and I wish one day I could have the same fortune of sharing a few minutes by his side. We love you Aaron! ❤️
Nohemy Nájera , Mexico
It’s beautiful, is not it?!
It’s so emotional to see how everyone talks so beautifully about Aaron Paul, and reading this just reinforces everything we already know about him, from his beautiful heart. Nobody wants to talk about empty people, people only talk about who really touches you, moves you, drives you for some reason.
Maybe it’s people who are not fans of someone themselves, who have a certain difficulty understanding this feeling that we have for an idol.
I myself always thought it was an exaggeration of the truth when I saw some of the crazy things that some fans would do. I didn’t really understand what drove them to feel so strongly about another person who didn’t even know that fan existed. I also thought it was a thing exclusive to teenagers who would fall blindly in love with a famous person, and created the stereotypical reputation of a crazy fan.
Until one day I found I was taken by this strange feeling, and as it had been a long while since I had passed adolescence, I understood that, in addition to the various forms of love you share with family (love we feel for children, husbands, wives, friends, father, mother, etc.) there actually is also this other form of love. One that is as a fan for someone you admire, an idol, someone we come to completely respect, and simply hope and wish that he is always well.
When does this fan-idol relationship become unhealthy?
As much as we strive to not acnowledge the darker side of fandom, wishing it didn’t exist, we all know too well that it exists and it hangs around every genuine fan’s neck. That weighty ‘fear’ of both how your activity is percieved, and if you actually overstep that invisible mark without even realising.
Meeting your idol is every fan’s dream, including mine of course, but I recognize that some fans can go too far, and end up crossing all limits.
In the case of Aaron Paul, I always found him to be a very receptive person, easily accessible. He seems to have a very healthy relationship with his fans, and I believe that no one really needs to do crazy things to get close to him. I believe he would never refuse to sign an autograph or take a picture with a fan if the situation is appropriate and respectful.
It was after all Aaron who drove some fans crazy a few years ago, he posted on his twitter that he was going to call some of them. Can you imagine you getting a call from Aaron Paul?
Seriously, I don’t know what I would do… maybe I wouldn’t answer, I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I don’t think I would answer :(. Let me explain myself quickly… I don’t speak English, and I have never understand a word Aaron speaks lol! so how could I answer a call from him?
“What do you mean you don’t speak English? How is it possible for you to be a fan of a person who when he speaks you don’t understand anything?” Well, when it comes to the heart we don’t explain, another time maybe I’ll explain it more calmly.
Coming back… There was a fact, I remember Aaron telling that some fans on his wedding day invaded the place and managed to sneak into some pictures. It must have been pretty worrying, and a real fan shouldn’t do such a thing, especially on the most important day of their idol’s life. Were they really a fan or something else?
When Aaron Paul started following the page on Instagram he left a super cute message that I will never forget. And there were times when I texted him for some reason or another, but I confess that I am always very nervous before sending.
I didn’t want to give him the impression that I’m being invasive, or that he every have reason to somehow think that I’m the type of fan who was trying to push boundaries, or overstepping that invisible line.
A while ago I left a post on instagram where I talk about my point of view between fan and fanatic, you can check it out at @aaron_paul_fc.
I started this text saying that I couldn’t explain through words my fan feelings for AP, so I keep thinking that no matter how much I write I’ll never find the most perfect word that actually conveys what a fan feels for an idol.
In conclusion…
What I do know is that your talent, your way of seeing the world and your sensitivity won me over from the moment I saw you on my screen for the first time, my eyes were smply delighted. So it didn’t take long for me to start admiring you. You are amazing Aaron Paul, thank you for bringing so much beauty into this world!
