Just The Wei I Am

I saw some trailer on TV for the Channel U Project Superstar. If I'm not wrong, it's down to the last 6 or 8 contestants. There were some short clips of some of the eliminated contestants saying their parting words.

You know, these guys and gals are really quite good. They sing well - better than average, definitely - and are pretty good-looking. So all of them are star material. In fact, all of them already have fans, even before they win the contest and "officially" become stars. As far as I can tell, these fans are just like those of "real" stars - supporting, cheering, screaming, etc. Dedicated.

I was thinking: what happens to the fans when their chosen idol is eliminated from the contest? Eventually most will be eliminated... so what happens to their fans? The eliminated contestants will most likely return to their normal lives, studying, working, etc. They will not cut albums, act in dramas, or endorse products. No public appearances, magazine interviews and the like.

It seems that fans can only be for public personalities. As much as the fans might love and support their idols while they are still in the running, the moment that idol ceases to have a public personality, the fans have nowhere to focus their support and attention on. I doubt that the dedication fans have for their idols reach the point where they will continue to "support" the idol in his private life.

So really, when someone is a fan, he is a fan of the public personality, and not the person per se. Don't you think so?