How Darija Katolik Turned Fandom into ROARA, a Home for Fan-Led Stories | Fangirl Forward #2
ROARA founder Darija Katolik has spent years in fan engagement and digital media. Now, she’s using that experience to build a platform where fans help rewrite how women in entertainment are seen.
Welcome to Fangirl Forward, a biweekly look at the people and ideas reshaping fandom, media and entertainment. Each edition bridges the worlds of fans and industry, exploring how community and creativity can shape what’s next.
In today’s edition, we’re hearing from Darija Katolik, a fan-turned-founder whose work lives at the intersection of fandom, media, and community-building. Over the last decade, she’s led fan engagement initiatives and accounts for artists like Rita Ora, Tate McRae, Lauren Spencer Smith, and Meghan Trainor, while building her online magazine ROARA and a podcast that centers women in entertainment through a fan-led lens.
ROARA’s monthly covers are shaped by fan perspectives, as Darija reaches out to fan communities, gathers their stories, and turns those insights into editorial features that highlight the person behind the headlines.
Below, she shares how ROARA started, why fan-centered storytelling matters, and what she hopes is next for fan-led media.
ROARA began as a response to how the media treats women, especially women in entertainment. What was the moment that first pushed you from fan to founder?
I originally got into journalism to change the narrative around someone I care about, who was treated poorly by tabloid media. Knowing the amazing human being Rita Ora is, I wanted to share the truth - and I did with my first article, published in 2021 (republished in 2025). The response blew me away and made me realize the power of the fans’ perspective and the positive impact it can have. A few months later, I decided to give the fans’ perspective its own platform and space to flourish. Something I’ve always said is: why wait to see change when you can be a part of making it happen?
Part of your mission is challenging harmful media narratives about women. What are the most common patterns or biases you see, and why do you think they persist?
Women in the industry face so much criticism, and it’s rarely about their impact. It’s often about their appearance or mistakes they’ve made. They aren’t given the benefit of the doubt, nor are they taken seriously, even when they are the most competent person in the room. It’s sadly always been like this. But while it’s difficult to fight it, we have the power to overweigh it with a new and more uplifting narrative.
You’ve said ROARA was born from wanting to “write a new narrative” instead of just reacting to the old one. What does rewriting a narrative look like in practice?
Each month, the featured article is written based on the fans’ perspective of the woman we put on our cover. I reach out to fans and ask them questions like “What made you become a fan of hers?” or “What’s something you wish people knew about her?” Based on and inspired by their answers, I write the featured article. This way, I might be the one shaping the narrative, but the fans are the ones who make it possible — they’re the heart of each story.
Launching your own publication is not an easy task. What were the biggest challenges you faced building ROARA, and what has kept you going over the last four years when things felt difficult?
The biggest challenge for me is writer’s block. Especially when the next issue is close, you wanna get it right and do it justice. But sometimes your mind just doesn’t want to cooperate. I’ve also had to juggle a full-time job, while also working freelance in the music industry and keeping ROARA and my podcast (Switch It Up) afloat. It’s a ship with lots of decks, but when you see the impact it’s having, it’s worth all the sleepless nights, hard work and perseverance.
Many fans dream of using their passion to build something meaningful. What skills helped you turn fandom into a career pathway, and what skills do you think matter most for someone trying to do the same?
It’s crucial to know your strengths and use them to your advantage. Persistence has been my greatest skill, while patience has been my toughest challenge. You need to put in the work, but also trust the timing. Yes, you will be belittled, judged, and misunderstood at times — but you have to truly believe in yourself and your abilities, especially if you want to work in music or media.
What are you a fan of right now?
Right now, I’m all about supporting emerging and underrated artists and showing up for them when it matters. There’s something exciting about discovering new voices and helping them get the recognition they deserve, but it’s as important to maintain the loyalty and support towards the incredible artists who have been a part of your journey and growth, shaping your love for music.
You can learn more about ROARA here.
✨ Wanna read more? Check out the full conversation with Darija here.
The dialogue between fans and the industry keeps entertainment alive. Here’s a look at what fans are saying, what the industry is doing and why both matter.
Fan Talk
What fans are saying, questioning, and celebrating across pop culture – and what the industry should be paying attention to.
‘Tis the season of holiday merch drops, with artists and franchises rolling out new exclusive collections ahead of Christmas. Fans are split between excitement over viral items (like Taylor Swift’s $45 cat plush, which sold out immediately) and fatigue over how nonstop and consumer-driven the merch cycle feels this year.
The Queen of Versailles’ early Broadway closing has sparked debate among theater fans, especially around whether it’s appropriate to celebrate a show shutting down when so many cast and crew members lose work. The moment also reignited questions about how much audiences are willing to engage with shows centered on controversial real-world figures.
The Wall Street Journal’s profile of Club Chalamet, one of the internet most divisive fans who’s widely viewed for crossing boundaries, has sparked intense backlash. Many are questioning why such a contentious figure was given a platform in a national feature. While most responses focused on concerns about her behavior, it also reflects a broader pattern of mainstream outlets often spotlighting the most extreme or uncomfortable versions of fandom, rather than the nuanced communities that actually exist.
A new hockey series or HBO Max, Heated Rivalry, is quickly gaining traction. Adapted from Rachel Reid’s longtime BookTok favorite Game Changers novels, fans are praising the series’ queer romance and already calling for a second season after just two episodes.
Dancing With the Stars just delivered its biggest finale in ten years, thanks to a wave of new Gen Z fans and viral TikTok moments. This season’s momentum is already spilling over into next steps for its stars, with Whitney Leavitt’s new casting as Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway, a move that has fans excited, especially after her standout, widely shared performances this season.
A new report from The Ankler about Gen Z’s TV habits is sparking conversation, with creators and execs admitting they can’t quite figure out what young audiences want, especially as most 16–34-year-olds are rewatching older shows or spending time watching creators on platforms, like YouTube or TikTok, instead of discovering new shows. For fandom, this shift explains why online communities often form around nostalgia properties or creators instead of new network shows. The piece also reveals how studios are approaching greenlights for Gen Z series, while doubling down on TikTok-style clip marketing, since short-form moments are what actually pull young viewers in.
Industry Moves
From awards to new releases and announcements, these are the entertainment world’s biggest updates fans should know about.
Streaming platforms are rolling out their annual listening recaps! YouTube released its first-ever YouTube Recap, providing fans a look at what types of content they tuned into most this year. For music fans, Apple Music Replay is also now live, and Spotify just dropped Wrapped this morning. Be prepared for your timelines to be filled with everyone’s top artists and top songs.
Ticketmaster has been under renewed scrutiny following major fan advocacy wins. After scalpers bought up Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving tour tickets, she publicly urged Ticketmaster to “do better,” leading the company to cap future resale prices for her tour and begin refunding fans who overpaid. A federal judge also ruled that hundreds of Taylor Swift fans can move forward with their antitrust lawsuit related to the onsale for the record-breaking Eras Tour. Combined with the U.K.’s recent decision to ban above–face value reselling, it’s a good sign that stronger regulation in the ticketing industry could be on the horizon.
Netflix is giving Stranger Things a theatrical sendoff as part of a growing trend of streaming hits getting big-screen event premieres. Fans can spend their New Year’s Eve in one of 500+ movie theaters across the country to watch the two-hour series finale.
Barnes & Noble announced a national partnership with entertainment studio A24, featuring a curated section showcasing the brand’s bestsellers and other exclusive merchandise.
With Charli XCX and now Lizzo joining Substack, more artists appear to be embracing long-form platforms as a space to share unfiltered updates and personal reflections, creating a new kind of closeness that fans aren’t getting on visual platforms like Instagram or TikTok, and giving artists more narrative control over their own narratives online.
Forward Motion
Keep your pop culture career momentum moving forward with these entry-level jobs, opportunities and events.
🎶 The Recording Academy is looking for a music-loving creator with a storytelling instinct for a Social Media Video Producer role. Apply here.
🎭 Did the Wicked movie change you for good? You can now get involved behind-the-scenes with the production on Broadway as a Stage Manager Intern next Spring! Apply here.
📺 If you’ve got love for streaming entertainment, television, movies and storytelling, you wanna check out this HBO Max Originals Marketing Coordinator role. (Bonus: being a Harry Potter fan is listed as a plus!) Apply here.
🏀 The Washington Mystics are hiring a Basketball Communications Lead, perfect for someone passionate about the WNBA and storytelling in sports. Apply here.
🎥 The Television Academy Foundation is hiring for its Summer 2026 internship class. From casting and cinematography to public relations and visual effects, there’s something here for the creator who makes TikTok edits and the future producer learning how stories come together. Apply here.
More from Fangirl Forward
FANFAQ: What is a Parasocial Relationship? — “Parasocial” is everywhere, from TikTok debates to becoming ‘Word of the Year.’ But the internet’s definition and the real psychological meaning don’t always line up. Read here.
Carla Jara on Work Ethic, Representation and Building a Career in Music — Known as your “Music Industry Big Sis,” the Social Media Content Producer for the Recording Academy is here to share key tips for success. Read here.
FANFAQ: How Do You Become a Balloon Handler in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? — How I went from being a fan watching at home on TV to actually marching in the parade. Read here.
FANFAQ: Are Artists Lip-Syncing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? — Take a look at how parade performances actually work behind the scenes. Read here.
Thanks for reading Fangirl Forward, your inside look at the cultural currents connecting fans and the entertainment industry. New editions publish every other Wednesday.
Our ecosystem goes beyond just this newsletter. We also publish essays, interviews and explainers that dig deeper into how audiences shape pop culture and how fans can become industry leaders across three core verticals:
From the Crowd – first-person fan perspectives
Forward Focus – cultural analysis and expert interviews
FANFAQ – a Q&A series demystifying the entertainment industry through fan curiosity
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