Each month, I look at fan capital in the wild. This roundup gathers the stories that stood out to me and what they say about how fandom actually works.
While reading through this past month’s fan headlines, I found myself grinning. Fans are a force of nature. There is always a fence around what I call “the center” (aka the thing we’re a fan of). The fence is built from IP, licensing, and retail. It looks sturdy in a brand deck but, in practice, it wobbles. Fans route around it, make their own channels, and grow the lore anyway. Fans define hits, they take up space, they speak their mind. I like the stories and numbers that show that in the wild.
TAILS, LUST, AND $7,000 SUITS IN PHILLY
Furrydelphia turned a downtown Sheraton into a world of neon fur and found family. Nearly 4,000 people came to buy art, dance, and be the best version of themselves. The convention is up 35 percent year over year. Anthrocon pulls 20,000 in Pittsburgh. Custom suits run into the thousands and three hotel floors became a living gallery. | The Philadelphia Inquirer
"When you're born, you don't get to choose anything about yourself. Furry is the ability to sit down and devise yourself.”
SCREAMING, CRYING, AND THROWING UP SINCE 1200
A medievalist makes the case that fandom has always been here. Pilgrims crossed countries to see relics like we cross oceans for tour stops. Badges felt like merch. Apocrypha read like fanfic. My favorite line is from a 13th-century scribe writing about a beloved saint: “Because I want it to be heard by more people. If someone else joins me in loving you, I will not be in the least jealous. I would like to have the whole world in my company.” Same energy as friendship bracelets and Discord servers. | Mixed Feelings on Substack
SINCERELY YOURS, STAN
Stans (movie) shows what happens when art and honesty collide. Fans matched hair, ink, and identity to Eminem. One calls him an unwilling cult leader. It is a useful reminder. When an artist opens the door with real feeling, fans walk inside and stay. The gift becomes a weight to carry. | The Australian
SPOTIFY HIGHLIGHTS FAN LIFE
What makes me want to listen to Charli xcx? Watching a 15 second clip of someone riding a bike while it plays lo-fi in the background. Spotify’s Fan Life spots capture the small rituals that actually reflect what it feels like to be a fan. Pitbull diehards in bald caps, Charli xcx fans riding balloon-covered bikes at sunrise, a kitchen dance with your abuela to Bad Bunny. The scenes feel lived in. Fan life is not fringe. It’s the bus ride, it’s standing in front of the mirror, and it’s where you make it yours. | Billboard
Seth Irskens went viral with his “Colts Anthem,” a hymn-like remix of a worship song. "As a result of the song, Irskens was named the 2024 Indianapolis Colts Fan of the Year, made an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, and was awarded tickets to the 2025 Super Bowl. Irskens is autistic, works at McDonald’s, and admits aspect of the game give him anxiety so he doesn’t always make it in-person. What makes his story stand out to me is how it swirls around connection: fans stop him for autographs, coworkers debate with him, and he calls himself a “firm believer” no matter how many losing seasons pile up. | Indy Star
FANS GOT ‘FREAKIER FRIDAY’ INTO THEATERS
This sequel was headed for streaming until the fandom flooded social with excitement and Disney shifted to a theatrical release. Curtis and Lohan returned, Pink Slip was a non negotiable, and a millennial crew of execs and creatives protected the lore. Fan demand was loud and specific. That is buying power. | IndieWire
"I remember seeing 'Freaky Friday' in theaters with my mom when I was 10 years old. I feel like I was the center of the target audience. I was a huge Lindsay Lohan fan. It was absolutely one of my favorite movies. So when when Disney called with the opportunity to come in and work on it, it was an easy, excited yes."
THE U.S. OPEN IS REDEFINING TENNIS FANS
The U.S. Open is welcoming people who may never watch a full match. Dove’s “official correspondent,” a $23 Honeydeuce, beauty and fashion parties, and a record Fan Week all point to a broader orbit (A record-breaking 239,307 guests turned out for 2025’s Fan Week.) Tickets have more than doubled since 2015. Tennis is part sport and part lifestyle now. Is that good for huge fans of tennis? | DIGIDAY
THE “STUPID” MOVIE WITH 158 MILLION VIEWS
KPop Demon Hunters is now Netflix’s No. 4 English-language film with 158 million views. The directors joked for years that the idea was “completely wackadoo” and “kind of stupid.” Fans turned it into a phenomenon. Word of mouth built week over week and peaked in week five. I love seeing original IP win like this. | The Hollywood Reporter
Do you have a fan story, idea, or connection I should know about? Reply to this email! I’d love to hear it.
