When your character already has a syndrome named after them, it runs the risk of an abnormally intense fan base. In recent weeks, Disney content creator Toni Kulusich has been accused of being a stalker, fixating on actors playing Peter Pan at the parks. Kulusich, who visits Disneyland around once a week, spoke to WIRED about the surreal backlash, with some detractors going far beyond her alleged behavior.
“It’s not like I’m going to the store or to my job and thinking about Peter Pan,” Kulusich tells WIRED. “It’s just that when I’m inside Disney, I’m able to release my inner child and the kid who doesn’t want to grow up.”
Like all Disney adult content creators, Kulusich wears her obsessions on her sleeves, bag and gift shop keychains. She stresses to WIRED that despite the public persona, she maintains a normal family life at home. The furor kicked off over a post made in late July, where Kulusich hands one Pan a home-made plush toy and the two pal around Fantasyland in a nearly five minute long video. While the interaction could use an editor, the performer seems perfectly comfortable egging the fan on as one of Kulusich’s friends films. Still, as the video attracted more than a million views, commenters believe the Kulusich overstayed her welcome or speculate that the actor was uncomfortable. Escalating to claims of stalking based on how much Kulusich posts interactions with the Neverland resident.
Stalking Kulusich in kind, detractors dug up a decade of posts in Kulusich’s feed and even launched a petition to ban her from the parks. Worse yet, Kulusich spotted her place of employment in the comments, putting her in a state of fear that she’ll be harassed at the parks or at work.
Actors who have donned the green tights have spoken up that they’ve had to deal with stalkers in the past, looking over their shoulder in the staff parking lot, personal information exhumed, but defend Kulusich’s behavior as someone merely excited. “She was very enthusiastic about meeting the character,” posted park performer Dylan Gadeke. “Maybe a little more so than most, but it never crossed the boundary of trying to get to know the performer.”
The fiasco serves as another failed stress test in the world of content creation and boundaries. Fanning the flames of the ultra-fans, performers at the park have almost assuredly been coached on fostering viral videos. The Disney content creation circuit is massive, filled with people eager to do free advertising for the parks and products. Disneyland isn’t known for having the most ethical management in the world, and how far they’ll push staff towards enthusiasts who could go overboard will continue to tempt fate.
I’m of the strong belief that all content creators should leave strangers out of it, and will co-sign outright policy to enforce that separation. These online platforms thrive on spectacular escalation, even after it erupts in the real world. But even I’d admit these Disney actors exist in a gray zone. On the clock to entertain abnormally intense spectators. And like all gray zones, the lines between performance and possession can blur into something dangerous for everyone involved.
Also, while we’re here, do you think Universal Studios has to deal with this kind of stuff? Is there anyone out there fostering an intense parasocial relationship to Blues Brothers impersonators?