This is hands down the most bizarre fansite I have ever come across. Dubbed ‘Shiantology,’ this website is dedicated to all things Shia LaBeouf.
This unusual website refers to Shiantology as a religion (which I am sure is a joke) saying it was “founded on Sunday, February 8, 2009 and characterized by a belief in the power of Shia’s spirit to clear itself of past painful experiences (in particular, hand smashing car crashes and drunken outbursts in Walgreens) through self-knowledge, spiritual fulfillment and copious amounts of Arizona Ice Tea.”
The website also features an wide array of artwork of religious figures which Shia Labeouf’s face Photshopped in. I’ve got to give them credit for this, there is no other fansite like this around.
Check out the gallery above to see some of Shiantology’s artwork, including Shia on the cover of ‘The Bodyguard’ soundtrack.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Celebrity Worshiping
- As celebrities become more idolized, there are opportunities for brands to create personalized experiences for their fans.
- Niche Fan Sites
- As niche fan sites continue to gain traction, there are opportunities for brands to partner with them for marketing and advertising purposes.
- Digital Religion
- As digital religions emerge, there are opportunities for tech companies to provide tools and platforms to facilitate communities of like-minded individuals.
Sectors Adopting This
- Entertainment
- As fan sites become more popular, there are opportunities for entertainment companies to create and promote related content.
- Social Media
- As celebrity worship becomes more prevalent on social media, there are opportunities for social media platforms to create features and tools specifically for this demographic.
- Technology
- As digital religions gain popularity, there are opportunities for tech companies to create products and services that cater to the needs of this growing demographic.
