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Plenty of celebrities give encouragement to fans on social media, but usually, it's general advice about staying true to themselves, not being afraid to talk about their mental health, or taking steps to be a better partner -- or a better parent. A lot of times, the advice is actually good and goes hand in hand with the message in their music or their TV or film work. And often, it resonates with fans who look up to them. But some stars are great at connecting with their fans on another, more personal level, especially when the fans are going through something huge and heavy. These celebs are the ones who DM fans to find out how they can help them deal with coming out, or make a life-changing donation on their GoFundMe page, or fly out to their bedside when they're seriously ill. In some cases, they've even stopped an onstage performance cold to help with a health scare or other issue happening to the fan right at that moment. And in doing so, they show a type of generosity and humanity in some ways deeper than a donation to a charity.
At a time when social media makes it look to fans like celebs are just a few taps away, some celebrities prove them right. They're totally aware of the impact their words, actions, and large bank account can have. Imagine having a problem so bad that we think only a celeb who has proven herself to be an ally will listen, and when we reach out -- and they lend one-on-one support -- oh the feels. Or imagine starting a playful exchange with our favorite singer about student loans, and then they pay our college tuition.
Both of those exchanges have happened -- and frankly, they're refreshing and restore our faith in the positive power of celebrity.
Sure, we can make the argument that people shouldn't have to struggle to pay for medical bills in the first place, or pay for classroom supplies if they're teachers. We could even argue that celebrities who give money to fans get plenty of good, free PR for what is really pocket change for them. But considering that there are lots of celebrities who don't reach out to fans in any significant way at all, let alone see them through an illness, we think it's actually pretty special.
... just like the following 20 celebs, who helped fans get through a tough time.