A camp follower is any person who gets close to a person or group for their own gain. The term comes from the historical phrase used to describe people who were not employed by the army who followed the armed forces around. The term could be applied to the wives and children of the soldiers or wartime refugees who would stay close to the victorious army in hopes of securing food, protection, and other goods. In some cases the refugee camp followers would perform services, including sexual favors, in exchange for the items they needed.
In modern parlance, the term camp follower has come to describe an individual who spends time getting close with a celebrity or group of celebrities such as the cast of a television program or a musical group in hopes of becoming famous by association or enjoying the same lifestyle as the figures they pursue.
