Dan Wakeford: Psychology of Parasocial Relationships with Celebrities | The Vault With Dr. Judith

Dan Wakeford is one of the world's leading experts in celebrity and entertainment media. Over a career spanning nearly three decades, he has served as editor-in-chief of some of the industry's most influential brands, including People and Us Weekly, working with everyone from Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston to Prince William, President Obama, and President Biden. Today, Dan is the founder of Celebrity Intelligence, a newsletter and platform that uncovers meaningful insights from the worlds of celebrity, entertainment, and popular culture. An award-winning editor and media executive, Dan has built and transformed iconic brands by growing audiences, expanding revenue, and creating culturally relevant content. As editor-in-chief of Us Weekly, he led a successful brand refresh that modernized the publication, expanded its reach, and strengthened its authority in celebrity reporting. Previously, as editor-in-chief of People and Editorial Director of Entertainment Weekly, Dan oversaw editorial operations, strategy, and growth across both brands. Under his leadership, People reached more than 118 million consumers each month, generated billions of weekly impressions, expanded into television, podcasts, video, and Apple News+, and became one of the most successful media brands in the industry. Alongside his commercial success, Dan has championed purpose-driven journalism, leading coverage on issues including public health, domestic violence, racism, climate change, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. He also prioritized diversity and representation both in content and newsroom leadership. His work has earned numerous honors, including Folio, GLAAD, Didi Hirsch, and Adweek awards. Widely respected throughout the entertainment industry, Dan has secured unprecedented access to some of the world's most influential public figures and helped shape cultural conversations for decades. Dan joins us on The Vault to discuss why celebrities, influencers, and public figures have such a profound impact on society. We explore parasocial relationships, the responsibilities that come with fame, and how public discussions around mental health can influence policy, awareness, and cultural attitudes. He also shares the vision behind Celebrity Intelligence and how he is bringing a smarter, more thoughtful lens to celebrity culture. Follow Dan Wakeford Dan Wakeford Instagram Dan Wakeford LinkedIn- Subscribe for Celebrity Intelligence- Follow Dr. Judith: Instagram: https://instagram.com/drjudithjoseph  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjudithjoseph  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjudithjoseph  Website: https://www.drjudithjoseph.com/ Sign up for my newsletter here: https://www.drjudithjoseph.com/newsletter-sign-up Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This page is not medical advice.