Stardom - Mediaknowall

Richard Dyer's Star Theory applied to Pop Stars:

‘Pop performer and Pop star is not the same thing’

Richard Dyer's star theory suggest that a 'pop performer' is an artist/band who is simply know for their musical talent and no other reason. However a 'pop star' is also known for their music but even more for other factors which influence their career which promote their music, (they have a persona/ identity that does not restrict solely to their music). Its important to consider that promotional factors are purposely done by the star's management/record label and not by the star themselves. However a true 'pop star' has a lasting significance, appealing to a wide audience over a
 long period of time, and not be forgotten by their number 1 fans a few years down the line.

 Miley Cyrus is a recent example of no longer wanting to be a 'pop performer' but a 'pop star'.

• Negative press has been extremely popular with Miley Cyrus recently. This negative press has been constructed through what Richard Dyer proposes. Miley's record label (possibly from her influence) are beginning to get the message across that she is no longer a Disney Channel star but a woman. This main message is that she is now targeting her music at a very different audience and not just females.

Richard Dyer proposes their are 4 stages to follow in order to create a 'pop star':

Stars as constructions: This suggests that a 'pop star' is an image and is no longer the real/true person. The image's constructed in advertisements and magazines are not a true reflection of the star.

Industry and Audience: The star's are created to serve a purpose to the music industry. The manufacturing process is filtered in order to reach the demands on what the record label think fans will respond to in order to buy records. Furthermore this suggests that record labels shape and nurture their stars.

Ideology and Culture: Stars will always promote a certain ideology. A star may star a fashion trend with fans copying, never mind how outrageous it may be. For example Lady Gaga 's infamous meat dress maybe not a trend fans would follow but its outrageousness attracted a lot of publicity where her record label may have encouraged her behave in more of an outrageous and dysfunctional way in order to stay in the limelight.  Richard Dyer would suggest that we has fans seem to have an insatiable appetite for information about them. This links to stars benefiting from cultural discourse, (Twitter and Facebook, etc.) as the more follower's or more subscribers the star has represents the star power.

Character and Personality: A star always begins as a 'real human'. The star transformation is based upon that person. Its important to keep some of the 'real person' because the star needs to capture and establish their character and personality through songs.


Michael Jackson is a prime example of Richard Dyer's star theory and how is stardom changed him completely. For example, one obvious/ drastic change would be the colour of his skin. Furthermore the amount of plastic surgery! Michael Jackson was a completely changed man towards the end of his musical career, even unrecognisable in comparison to how he looked and acted at the very beginning. Michael Jackson applies to this theory in almost every way, even though some moments in his career were very controversial he was still being talked about, he set fashion trends and dancing trend but most of all he is still famous now, even after his death.

Overall Richard Dyer would suggest that a  pop star's persona, therefore, as depicted in terms of character and personality, is a fragile thing which needs constant nurturing, and is the product of constant discourse between the star and his or her audience.

Source: http://www.mediaknowall.com/as_alevel/Music/music.php?pageID=popstar