In order to effectively conduct this autoethnograpy it is more than essential to analyse my own personal experience as a One Direction Fan.
As a part of my research plan, I have dedicated half of the autoethnographic research to the discovery of other fans experiences which will allow for the comparison and similarity deconstruction as research progresses. In order to achieve this I produced an online survey which will allow fellow fans to detail their personal experiences whilst also maintaining the importance of anonymity within this research task.
As the conductor of this research, I completed this same survey in order to achieve consistency and in order to gain a narrated insight on my experience. I found myself getting quite emotional reminiscing on when I was a DIE HARD fan, you will notice I continuously refer to the word ‘nostalgic’ as a way to interpret how I feel.
Without further ado, here are my answers (I am embracing the embarrasement to come #noshame) :
1. When did you first become a One Direction Fan?
2010
2. What is your first distinctive memory about or as a fan of One Direction?
Watching the What makes you beautiful music video and wanting to be the lead girl that Harry Styles kissed, I was lowkey jealous and highkey in love at age 10.
3. What is your FIRST distinctive memory about the One Direction Fandom?
The obsession with the things the boys would say on their xfactor tapes and old videos i.e Carrots, Vashappenin, Spoons, Kevin, GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN, Potatoes. The list could honestly go on forever.
4. What is your MOST RECENT memory about or as a fan of One Direction?
Going to their last tour ever. I got to watch Zayn (which a lot of fans did not have the chance to see, I was lucky enough to have attended all the past tours as well ) in the last tour he was apart of and eventually their last tour as a band.
5. What is your MOST RECENT memory about the One Direction Fandom?
On the 10 year anniversary of One Direction this year, it was wild to witness the fans all come together again. Sharing favourite memories, 2 worldwide trending hashtags, watching the boys reminisce through their respective posts – It was humbling and so crazy to see how much manpower this fandom has facilitated.
6. Do you still consume fandom/band produced content even though One Direction is no longer together?
Yes.
7. Where do you see the most fan produced One Direction Content?
Tik tok.
8. How does it feel to see this content?
Its very nostalgic but at the same time new and fresh in some aspects because obviously the boys each have their own respective careers and content is being formed from that also.
9. What is your Favourite Album and Song?
‘Take Me Home’ is my favourite album but Walking in the Wind from Made in the A.M is my favourite song.
10. How does this album and song make you feel? Why is it your favourite?
Listening to the Take Me Home album makes me feel very nostalgic because they were so much younger and I was so much younger when that album was released. That time was when fanfics were on the rise, the boys were releasing a movie a year later and the fandom was peak cringe prime. The album makes me feel safe, Like I am back there all over again. Walking in the Wind was featured on the last album the boys recorded as a Band. It was said to be about Harry and Zayn’s conversation in the early hours of the morning when they were having an emotional conversation about how Zayn was leaving the band. Although its a ‘goodbye’ song, it makes me feel rejuvenated and like everything will be okay no matter what I’m going through. It’s so crazy how songs and albums can have such a personal influence on each individual.
11. How did you feel when the boys announced their Hiatus?
I was honestly so shattered. At school crying, shattered. Staying up till 2am depression tweeting and crying, shattered. 15 year old me was more than heartbroken to say the least.
12. How would you say being a One Direction Fan has influenced you?
Being so young and becoming a fan of this world renowned Boy Band has made me grateful to have been able to experience all the things I have as a fan. The Tours, the music, the boys, everything was monumental to me. Girls who have recently become fans of the boys will not be able to experience the fraction of things I have because of their break up. Being a One Direction fan has influenced me to embrace and further accept that I am a crazy and obsessed fan girl (maybe not so much anymore) but I am proud of that.
13. Would you consider yourself still a fan of One Direction? Why?
Yes, because I will always be a fan. I have a whole playlist dedicated to them STILL for goodness sakes.
14. What does being a One Direction Fan mean to you?
It’s like being apart of a family. Finding likeminded people who have experienced the same things, that is what One Direction has given me and that is what I’m most grateful for. One Direction were apart of some of my favourite memories through their music and content. I basically grew up with them, they are as much apart of my youth and coming of age as anything else. They were my youth and they still are apart of who I am.
Thanks for reading the first of many blogs ! – Trin x
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