Throughout the years, we have seen many couples rise to stardom in the media. Many couples became famous through paparazzi sightings throughout the 21st century. It’s easy to think of at least one famous couple when it comes to the topic of superstar relationships.

Fans have seen it all, from Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston to Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly. Relationships have been a huge part of fame since before social media, especially in the sly magazine tabloids of the late 20th century. These star-worthy couples have been a huge hit recently, from their more prominent portrayals in movies to their photoshoots dominating social media feeds. The question remains, however, as to how these portrayals can affect media users. And how does it affect their relationships?

Romance has been a huge part of film ever since the early 1900s when the film industry truly took off. Stars would play alongside other famous counterparts in their big-box movies while being the key attraction for many. The stardom of actors was the first thing that truly started the celebrity pathway. In fact, actors and musicians in the 1900s were very used to the fast-paced relationships that would take over newspapers and magazines, a pattern that still holds true today. These relationships were the key to making others feel jealous. Most of these old Hollywood stars would just date, marry, and live until they no longer had an influence on the public, which was rare.

This form of rationalization was very common due to the rise of housewives and stay-at-home mothers. These actions helped market to women their so-called “dream life.” People desired the lavish lives of famous people, but deep down, they knew this would never be possible. These practices are the key reasons why the media has such a huge impact on people.

Seemingly, these habits never change. With the introduction of new technology and new opportunities, stardom has become even more popular. The 1990s were a time when everything seemed to be getting bigger and stronger. With television and film becoming so much more popular, movie stars would premiere and get their big break. With these stars’ new fame, fans also received a glimpse into their private lives, specifically their significant others. Fans got to see them hand in hand on the red carpets and at movie premieres.

The key difference from the early 1900s, however, was that normal people were starting to achieve fame as well. In the 2000s, this became much more common due to YouTube and Instagram. With the ease and accessibility of these apps, it has become easier to go viral and become America’s next favorite. People became eager to understand what these new influencers were up to and who they were dating. Youtuber relationships caught a big break, and ever since then, audiences have been able to watch any couple of their choice.

The impact of social media was felt not only by newcomers to the industry but also by those who were born into it. The 2010s were the most popular time for stars such as the Kardashians and Jenners, who became some of the biggest celebrities of the time due to their social media presence. Many other celebrities also took advantage of social media to showcase their lavish lifestyles and relationship updates with their significant others.

The media’s obsession with stars has grown tremendously since the times of old Hollywood. People are able to find a magazine reporting on someone’s stance and past relationships anywhere they go. The parasocial relationship between fans and famous people has grown immensely due to easy accessibility. Fans can obsess and see anything they want from their favorite stars and get updates about the relationship as a whole, no matter how good or bad it is going. Many people see themselves in these celebrities, which in turn affects their own relationships.

In the past few years, we have seen an increase in bad relationships due to social media and the impact of celebrity relationships. Regular people are struggling to keep up with the fast pace and standards of social media. These relationships are failing due to the unrealistic way love is portrayed. It’s portrayed as perfect by these stars, which causes normal people to underestimate how much work it takes for a healthy relationship. The obsession has now fazed into real-life people who aren’t on the big screen.

Thankfully, more people are adapting to a positive outlook due to therapy and other helpful resources. Many people are trying to step away from the bright lights and the fake facades they portray. Stars are beginning to show the truth behind what their lives truly are, ensuring that it isn’t all glamourous. It’s important to showcase this because people continue to struggle to understand that it’s okay not to have a picture-perfect life. However, this pattern cannot be stopped until all the people who use media understand this concept as well. Stardom will never stop and the desire to be on the big screen will never go away, but celebrity relationships need to seem less perfect to build a better future for all, platonic or romantic.