Their audience has an imaginary relationship with the celebrity? That is concerning.
Not really. I think it is more of a one way relationship, not imaginary.
I listen to a podcast by a guy who shares many of my likes and dislikes. I find over time that stuff he recommends is good. If he recommends a movie I am more likely to go see it in the theater, if he recommends an album I'm more likely to buy it. If he recommended that I go on some website to cheat on my wife, I would disregard that particular advice.
So, I feel like I know him, or at lest the version of him he is publicizing, pretty well. But he doesn't know me at all. It is a very one way relationship, but it is not imaginary at all.