RICHARD DYER’SSTAR THEORY

Winnie Sunday Dacosta

Stars Are Constructed

■A celebrity or ‘star’ is a construction and not a real person. They are different from the real person as the way they behave in private and in the public tend to differ greatly.

■They usually have a USP (Unique Selling Point) which is easily identifiable and allows them to be imitated or parodied. Eg. Michael jackson’s signature dance moves

Lady Gaga(Stefani

Germanotta)

■Some stars are constructed as ‘Characters’ that are not designed to resemble ordinary people.

■Their fans identify with these characters more than relate to them.

■For example: Lady gaga is the stage name of a celebrity. Her real name is Stefani Germanotta.

■As ‘Lady Gaga’ she is an outrageously bold artist known for wearing strange outfits whereas in private she most likely wears ‘normal clothes’ instead.

Meghan Trainor

■ Stars also tend to represent particular social or cultural groups so that they can relate to them.

■ This is why fans adopt the same ideologies as artists they like and gain an idea of what they're supposed to be like.

■ Eg. Meghan Trainor“No, I wont be no stick-figure silicone Barbie doll”

Pop Stars Vs Pop Performers

■There is also a difference between a pop performer and a pop star– Pop performers are as the title suggests; performers of

popular music– Pop stars identities expand beyond their musical ability.

Profit-Makers

■Dyer suggested that stars are constructed to make money in the form of CD’s, Posters and merchandise.

■Shows like the X factor and American Idol give an insight into the process of grooming ordinary people into ‘stars’ which supports his theory.

Paradox of the Star

The star must be both ordinary and extraordinary■ The star must be ordinary in the

sense that they are similar to their fans, making them relatable

■ Extraordinary in the sense that they are have an extraordinary talent which is what makes them a star.

The star must be both present and absent:■ The star must be present through

their merchandise

■ Absent in the sense that we can have all their merchandise but not them themselves.