What is Star Theory?
Star refers to the set of meanings constructed around
singers in order to sell their music to a mainstream or loyal audience, but
mainly mainstream and it means more money. Star theory differs from star image
as star theory is applied to pop stars and suggests that a star is an image and
not a real person, as they are constructed are institutions for financial gain
and audience appeal. The stars are constructed through a range of media such as
magazines, and advertising.
Who is Richard Dyer and what does he say?
Richard Dyer is is British media theorist and constructed
the 'Star theory' claiming that...
- " Star image is "incoherent, incomplete and
'open'..." - He claims this because it is based on two key paradoxes which
includes:


What is the difference between a performer and a pop star?
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Duffy |
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Rihanna |
There is a difference between a performer and a pop star, a
Performer may or may not be famous, but can perform music. Whereas a pop star
has an image which is completely constructed to an audience. An artist which is
a performer and not a star is someone like Duffy, she is not known very well
but she is an amazing singer which lacks ultimate fame, as she is not globally successful or
recognised by a mass audience. On the other hand, a pop star is an artist who
is famous and performs to mass audiences. A true pop star does have a lasting
significance and has a 'brand awareness' amongst a wider market over a period
of time. For example, Rihanna has become a brand through the use of synergy,
promoting her perfume, calendars, adverts etc. As a result, a pop stars image
is constructed to an audience.
Dyer has identified four key elements to recognising a star:
- Star theory - Stars as constructions:
Richard Dyer states that the star is a construction and not
a real person. This helps selling their image to a unique selling point.
Film stars have their image based on roles they have in films. Music stars have
more of an advantage over film stars because they are freer in expressing
themselves, which could be dangerous at the same time. For example, being too
explicit or controversial in their music video can offend audiences, making
them lose their fan base. X Factor is a prime example of showing us the
supposed construction process. This shows how an ordinary person can groomed,
styled, coached and formed into a ‘Star’ or a record company and build their
market expectations.
A prime example is the band One Direction. They came into
the X factor competition as solo artists in 2010 and was put together as a boy
band. The five boys didn’t know who each other were, they were complete
strangers. They were put into a band to create a cute, attractive, jolly boy
band who will attract a huge teenage fan base who are mainly girls. They blew
up in the UK and was constructed into extremely attractive young boys who
appeal to young teenage girls.
- Star theory - Industry and audience:

- Star theory - Ideology and culture:

- Star theory - Character and personality:
Dyer also suggests that stars are transformed into different
personalities and they also need to have a range of different characters. This
is important because this will help the artist to have a connection with their
audience. Stars provide the audience with the idea of
'what people are supposed to be like' and may support hegemony (dominant
cultural ideology) by conforming to it (thin/beautiful) or providing difference
(fat/still lovable). For example, certain
artists like Jennifer Lopez, Alicia
Keys, Rihanna and Arianna Grande provide the audience with the idea of 'what
people are supposed to be like' due to their appearances, as they have the
ideal 'bodies' encouraging all girls to portray them as role models, and trying
to reflect their appearances. This links to hegemony as the media promote this,
encouraging all girls to conform to the cultural ideology of looking thin and
beautiful. However, other stars promote a difference such as Adele who are portrayed as 'chubby and loveable' going against hegemony, and
suggesting that it is acceptable and normal to be different.
How much control do artists/band have on star image?
Conclusion:
Dyer's theory is important as it determines how an artists
success is a result of their image being constructed to benefit their success,
the music industry and to appeal to the audience. This theory is important because it represents how famous
people are formed to entertain the world, such as: Katy Perry, Rihanna,
Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, etc. This theory shows true colours to artists and
expresses their inner thoughts or how fake they can be. However, I want my
artist in my music video to show character and personality. I would like to
show a real situation with inner feelings being expressed so audiences can
relate to the music video and think about the events happening in the narrative
of the music video. I don’t want to be mainstream with the typical visuals of
men wanting to have sex with women and women disrespecting themselves by
dancing in a sexual manner, I want something different and unique within my
artist. I want the artist to be naked, but not being unclothed, being real
within themselves through the music video. In my music video I would like the
artist to show character and personality within their music video, whether in a
happy manner or not.
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