‘The Dolan Twins’ Attempted An Impromptu Fan Meet And It Was An Epic Disaster, Of Course
Poor YouTube stars, too popular for their own good. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way that with great power, comes great responsibility.
Over the weekend, American YouTubers ‘The Dolan Twins’ had a tough lesson in the sublime power and passion of a fandom. If you haven’t heard of them (zero shame) the twins are just two American boys who came to fame posting comedy skits on Vine, and now have nearly 5 million subscribers on YouTube.
They post shit like this for the most part:
Their fan base is mostly intensely impassioned teens who love them with a fire so hot it’s no surprise that disorganised ‘meet-ups’ inevitably end in disaster.
When Grayson and Ethan Dolan were visiting the UK for the MTV European Music Awards they shouted out to their fans on Twitter announcing they would be around Hyde Park on Sunday for a meet n greet at lunchtime. Not sure if it’s more applicable to call the boys innocent or ignorant in this situation but anyway.
LONDON! MEET UP AT HYDE PARK TOMORROW AT 12:30 PM! I wanna see you there!!
— Grayson Dolan (@GraysonDolan) November 11, 2017
So when that got nearly 10 thousand retweets, 60 thousand likes and 6 thousand comments, it was perhaps time to panic. I assume the boys were imagining how that kind of unorganised crowd of teenagers would play out and if it in hindsight some professional measures in place might have been necessary. Ya know, just so no one gets trampled to death or something like that.
The boys seem to catch light of the risks of the impromptu fan meet:
If you are going to the meet up today PLEASE stay calm. I want this to work so we can all have a good time! If Ethan and I can’t take a picture with every person individually we at least want to see you all. But stay calm! No pushing others please. Spread the word ♥️
— Grayson Dolan (@GraysonDolan) November 12, 2017
As useful as these words are, that’s honestly not going to help anyone when they’re stuck inside the vortex that is an overexcited crowd of fans.
Then came the next issue: the realisation that Sunday was Remembrance Day and there was going to be a huge memorial service taking place just on the other side of Hyde Park. So, it’s defs not the time or place to be inviting thousands of fans to say hey.
Fortunately, The Dolans got that and quickly backtracked:
Guys I had no idea there was a memorial in Hyde park today for remembrance day. It’s more important to pay respect than anything right now. I feel horrible.
— Grayson Dolan (@GraysonDolan) November 12, 2017
I don’t think the meet up is going to work today guys
— Grayson Dolan (@GraysonDolan) November 12, 2017
Ethan and I are really sorry. We can’t go to Hyde park but we’re trying to figure something out. We want to see you guys but we don’t want to be disrespectful and most of all we want everyone to be safe.
— Grayson Dolan (@GraysonDolan) November 12, 2017
We really want to meet you all but i would feel so awful and selfish if someone were to get hurt. Everyone’s safety is most important
— Ethan Dolan (@EthanDolan) November 12, 2017
But unfortunately, it was too late to stop the fandom. The wheels were in motion and the teens were headed to Hyde Park to get what they were promised. Tweens filled the park and it was pretty much a fucking disaster tbh.
People flocked to Twitter to post about the Hyde Park fan mob scenes. They were either fans hoping the Dolans would see and show up or they were fans and outsiders criticising the ‘disrespectful’ crowds causing a scene during the memorial service.
As you can see, the whole thing was a mad fail:
THE TWINS AREN'T THERE BUT PEOPLE WERE MOBBING THE WHOLE PARK & RUNNING OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOTEL! I KNEW THIS MEET UP WASN'T GOING TO GO WELL! I'M SO GLAD THEY CANCELLED. THE POLICE SHOWED UP AT THE HOTEL & 2 GIRLS ALREADY GOT INJURED & A EARRING RIPPED OUT pic.twitter.com/S4QhTOGoE1
— nadya (@thiccafdolan) November 12, 2017
#DolansHydepark @EthanDolan @GraysonDolan they’re going a bit crazy for you’s ???????? pic.twitter.com/gNyRl2SprG
— Bailey Boo (@Bailey_Boo23) November 12, 2017
The Dolan twins were supposed to do a meet and greet today at Hyde Park. Fans were lying down on the road for the Dolan twins attention in London, risking their lives just for a photo. This was so embarrassing! #dolanshydepark @EthanDolan @GraysonDolan – pic.twitter.com/W7HrIo2P5E
— Melisaa (@Melisaa551) November 12, 2017
We're waiting ???????? @EthanDolan @GraysonDolan #dolanshydepark #dolantwinshydepark #dolanhydepark #DOLANTWINSMERCH pic.twitter.com/91v05hJB8x
— Lynette (@Lylykobe) November 12, 2017
#dolanshydepark we couldn’t see you but staying strong is the best thing to do in these situations @GraysonDolan @EthanDolan we love you???? pic.twitter.com/Ufuaw7HYeI
— dankdxlan (@dankdxlan) November 12, 2017
#DolansHydePark The fandom is still here pic.twitter.com/yUIjDi4A4s
— Fatima ???? (@jerseysdolans) November 12, 2017
We r singing the diss track ???? @EthanDolan @GraysonDolan #Dolanhydepark pic.twitter.com/sYaDi7CVx1
— Stephanie (@Dolantwins44evr) November 12, 2017
Like I said, with great power, comes great responsibility. Careful what you ask for celebs!