"But when the object of one's worship doesn't know of your existence, does that count?"
Good question. It certainly counts to the worshipper. Anyway, that very question may have been what was on the mind of this guy I knew who was obsessed with Shania Twain. He WANTED to "count" in Shania's life, so he made sure she knew of his existence...by phoning her, sending her letters and gifts, showing up on her doorstep to declare his undying love and provide a getaway car so they could run off from her supposedly (according to him) "abusive" husband together and live happily ever after, etc...until she got the police to arrest him over it. He was issued with a restraining order.
So perhaps it is best for all concerned that Winona does not know of my existence. ;-)