Elizabeth Minkel

“My interest in Boy Throb started out with finding them endearing and their goal of being with their friend really sweet, and it’s grown into being a genuine fan of their music,” [a fan named Nat] said. “I don’t think they would have gotten as popular as they did if there wasn’t so much bad stuff happening in the world right now, especially in the U.S. I think they skyrocketed partially because their entire persona is so uplifting and fun, which is a refreshing break against the backdrop of corruption and turmoil in the world right now.”

In our latest, Kayti Burt writes about Boy Throb, the pink-velour sweatsuited, *NSYNC-esque boy band who made getting one of their members, Darshan Magdum, a U.S. work visa a central part of their narrative over the past year. (Last week, he finally got it!) For many fans, the immigration angle was a major draw—as was the band's relentless positivity in the current political climate.

Read the piece or listen to an audio version:

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Our latest is live! 💞 The great Kayti Burt goes deep on Boy Throb, who rose to fame partly via a quest to get one of its members, Darshan Magdum, a U.S. visa. (Spoiler: he just got it!) For many fans, the immigration angle has been a core part of their Boy Throb fandom:

Like many Americans, Gabby, a 17-year-old fan who skipped school to wait in line for the Boy Throb concert, has her own experience with the immigration process. “As a daughter with an immigrant parent, I feel very seen and connected to Darshan,” she told me, adding that she helped her mom with her application. “[I also feel close to] the other boys for being so supportive and kind and shedding light on the process and how tedious it truly is.”

For others, their relentless positivity in this political climate has been a major draw:

Nat, a 19-year-old fan, had a similar fan trajectory. “My interest in Boy Throb started out with finding them endearing and their goal of being with their friend really sweet, and it’s grown into being a genuine fan of their music,” she said. “I don’t think they would have gotten as popular as they did if there wasn’t so much bad stuff happening in the world right now, especially in the U.S. I think they skyrocketed partially because their entire persona is so uplifting and fun, which is a refreshing break against the backdrop of corruption and turmoil in the world right now.”

Add the authenticity angle—specifically, the persistent speculation that the band is Nathan Fielder's next project—and the result is a truly interesting snapshot of our moment, in a place where ideas about popularity, virality, and fandom collide directly with geopolitics.