Boy crazy, but not in a straight way: The ‘truth’ about Larry in the One Direction fandom

• DOI: 10.1386/jfs_00038_1
• Publication Date: 2022-05-05T02:13:10Z
• Authors: Hannah McCann; Clare Southerton
• Keywords: Fandom; Queer Theory

This article explores the queer practices of a subgroup One Direction fans known as Larries. The Larries believe that former boyband members Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson (referred to by portmanteau ‘Larry Stylinson’) were, or are, in relationship. draws on digital ethnography with Larry fandom conducted Twitter across 2018 argues their involve reading strategies disrupt heterosexual narratives create space for desire. While are invested ‘reality’ ship, we also suggest fan oriented towards challenging dominant logics. do not simply seek representations desire popular culture but rather, through shipping Larry, community online celebrates sexuality, whether actualized not. Our findings challenge typical fangirls heteronormatively ‘boy-crazy’. Far from understanding single monolithic group primarily motivated longing, this encourage us rethink gender, desire, potential even relationship between power ‘truth’ ‘post-truth’ world.