CultureJuly 9, 2026
fetishization
/ˌfɛtɪʃaɪˈzeɪʃən/
Definition
The act of obsessively or excessively focusing on an aspect of one's public persona or image, often reducing a person to a simplified object of fascination for others.
Etymology
Derived from the French 'fétiche', which came from the Portuguese 'feitiço' meaning 'magic charm' or 'sorcery'. It evolved in English to describe an irrational devotion to an object or idea, later expanding into sociological contexts.
In the news
In the article, the term describes how pop stars like Charli XCX face the psychological burden of having their public image objectified and consumed by the music industry and fans, leading to feelings of disillusionment.
‘Music, Fashion, Film’ and the death of ‘Brat’: Charli XCX’s new creative era
Read the full article ↗EL PAÍS English