When the Cambridge Dictionary announced ‘parasocial’ as its Word of the Year 2025, it was not merely highlighting a trendy Internet term, it was capturing a profound cultural shift — one that has reshaped how millions across the world relate to public figures, entertainers, influencers and, increasingly, political leaders.

A parasocial relationship is a one-sided emotional bond in which a person feels connected to someone who does not know they exist. Traditionally it applied to television personalities and radio hosts.

Today, it has acquired new force in an era of podcasts, TikTok, YouTube, livestreaming and micro-influencers who invite audiences into their kitchens, bedrooms, mental struggles, heartbreaks and daily routines. The intimacy seems real. The relationship is not.

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