Fanlore:Featured Article Archives/2024: Week 11
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a series of sidewalks in Hollywood, California that are decorated with embedded stars containing the names of various famous figures and fictional characters in the entertainment industry. It was originally constructed in the 1950s by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to encourage the redevelopment of Hollywood Boulevard, and has continued to be a promoted as a way to boost tourism.
Due to the notability and popularity of this commercial endeavor, as well as symbolic associations, the Walk of Fame has become notable among some fandoms and fan communities.
In the past, it was not uncommon for fans to create campaigns and other fan funds, as well as entire zines to solicit money from each other in order to buy the star for their chosen celebrity, something that could lead to hurt feelings, political maneuverings, and pressure for fans to show their fealty.
In later years, this process was much less home-grown, and it has been completely taken over by official public relations.