Having a favourite artist is for some just fun, but for other people, it can be such a big part of their lives. Being in a fandom is great. Truly connecting with someone's music, movies etc. is a beautiful experience. But I personally think the most beautiful thing about being in a fandom is meeting people who love the same thing as you. A lot of people nowadays meet people online through fandom and become best friends! 

 I want to show you how beautiful it can be to meet friends through fandom. For this, I talked to Cayden. Cayden is a 16-year-old senior in High School who lives in Zwijndrecht. Her hobby’s all surround music: playing the keyboard and listening to music and artist she likes. She is a big Little Mix fan and has a shared fan account with several other mixers from all over the world. I asked Cayden some questions about her fan account, her love for Little Mix and the friendships she made thanks to this fandom. 

How long have you been a fan of Little Mix? 

I first heard their music in 2015 and became a fan in 2017 because a friend of mine was a fan. Then I started watching interviews to find out who they really were and what their personalities were like and then I found out how nice they were. I like how they make their songs so personal. Also, they treat their fans like friends and are very comforting. I also love that they are not ashamed to be themselves and talk about their problems so that they can let everyone know that they are never alone! They are so inspiring to me and they have no filter and are always themselves! 

You have a shared fan account, can you tell me more about it? How many are you, how did you come up with this idea, do you agree on everything that goes on the account? 

it all started when I and another Dutch mixer wanted to make a TikTok account with a few other fans purely out of boredom during the first lockdown, we started asking around some accounts and came across a group via several different accounts (there was a fan than with quite a lot of followers who we think is cool that we are now friends with) and everyone wanted to participate. We had created a group app and made up a password and name and because the hype house was going we came up with the name @littlehypemix. A lot has happened in the fandom so quite a few people have come and gone but right now we are eight if all goes well. Sometimes we have doubts about a TikTok and we ask each other whether it is fun enough or not, but otherwise, everyone is free to post what they want. If there is news about the account or achievements, everyone can also be found in the group app. 

Are you and the other girls very close to each other? Do you speak to each other daily or maybe just some of them? 

I speak to the other Dutch girl daily and we saw each other for the first time on my birthday. I also talk to some of the other girls almost daily. Since there is also a time difference it can be a bit difficult sometimes but we do our best!

Are there also plans to meet everyone in real life?  

For me personally, I would really like that since we have already achieved so much together and everyone is so nice. I've seen one before and it was so much fun!! Furthermore, I may be seeing someone else next summer and for a few others, I do have a wish to see them someday when I am old enough to travel this far alone. 

Do you have many other friends besides these girls from the fan account thanks to this fandom? 

Yes, quite a lot mainly in England itself which I find very unfortunate, but I also talk to them every day and we are planning to meet! To be honest, I like them a lot more than my friends in my immediate environment. I try to meet up with all Dutch fans as much as possible. I have already met 6 myself. 

Would you say that the friendships with the girls in England are better than with your friends in your area because of this fandom? 

Yes, for sure! I think we just click better because we have the same interests and don't have to be ashamed of what we like. Also, because you live so far apart you have to make an effort. So if it comes from both sides it feels like the person puts just as much effort into the friendship as you do yourself 

How have all these friends you've made through this fandom impacted your life? 

I never expected to meet my very best friends through this fandom. I've always been a fan of artists, but I've never been involved in a fandom. They are always there for me!! They never fail to cheer me up and as cheesy as it sounds every day I wake up happy knowing I have them in my life  

You've said it a bit already, but why do you think being part of a fandom is such a beautiful and cool thing? 

You meet people with the same interests which is super nice!! Once you get to know each other, you may find that you have more in common than you think. If the contact slowly disappears that's how it is, contact has to come from both sides so it's just not worth it. There is always someone you click with and everyone is just so nice! The friendships are so worth it and you can support your favourite artists/artist with your best friend! 

I had a lovely time talking to Cayden about her friendships in this fandom. You can hear in Cayden her word how much they mean to her and how beautiful their friendships are. So if you're a fan of a musician, an actor, a dancer or anything else, I highly encourage you to reach out to some people through fan accounts. You never know what it could lead to.