As your perception sounds quite negative I'll try to change your view!
Instead of looking down on people fanatifally following a "celebrity", take pity on them:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasocial_interaction
In short: their brain chemistry tricks them into thinking that they are following a friend and have the emotional reactions and interests as we'd hope our real friends do.
I find it really sad to be honest.
Not Op here, from what I've read is that the answer to that question is unknown but he showed a significant tolerance for some. Does that make it himself fine? In my book: yes.
For me personally it was enoughto leave the project behind as it's so closely tied to the person.
That's a call everyone needs to do for themselves though if course