We are currently editing a special issue of Celebrity Studies on the topic of Professional Wrestling and Authenticity. At present the issue ranges from general theorisations to specific case studies unpacking how authenticity and celebrity can be figured in the world of wrestling, drawing upon star studies, celebrity studies, sports studies and audience studies to gain a full understanding of the wrestling star image.

We are seeking further submissions to our issue, particularly focussed on how formations of authenticity and celebrity within wrestling have been impacted by the pandemic.

Article topics might include, but are not limited to:

• Wrestlers, social media, and Covid awareness
• Case studies of wrestler star images and transitions to new forms of labour (e.g. streaming, OnlyFans)
• The development of ‘cinematic’ wrestling and its relationship to ‘authentic’ performance

The issue is slated for publication in 2023. Full articles would be required to be submitted by the end of 2021 to allow for the review process. For context, Celebrity Studies is a peer reviewed journal that focuses on the critical exploration of celebrity, stardom and fame. It seeks to make sense of celebrity by drawing upon a range of (inter)disciplinary approaches, media forms, historical periods and national contexts.

Please contact [log in to unmask] and [log in to unmask] with either informal enquiries or a brief article abstract (150 words) by Friday 30^th July 2021.   

All best,

Dr Thomas Alcott, Aberystwyth University

Dr Tom Phillips, University of East Anglia

Dr Tom Phillips 

Lecturer in Humanities (SFHEA)

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Interdisciplinary Institute for the Humanities

University of East Anglia 

Norwich Research Park 

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+44 (0)1603 593149

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