Richard Dyer's star theory is focused entirely around how 'stars' are made for the public. It is split into three main sections. Audiences and institutions, Constitutions and Cultures.

1. RICHARD DYER’S
STAR THEORY

2. This theory is based around the idea that certain celebrities
and icons are made by institutions for financial gain. This is
done by creating personas within celebrities in which people
can relate to in regards to their personality, looks or daily
struggles. People tend to support famous people who they
either relate to or feel positive about. For example, women
are more inclined to like Beyonce because of what she
represents in regards to feminine values whilst men may
like her because of her looks. Either way, there are fans
who are more than likely spending money on albums or
concerts or merchandise due to how she is being
represented. This leads to financial gain for her which is
what this theory is focused on.

3. Dyer’s theory is split into three main sections.
1 – Audiences and Institutions
2 - Constitutions
3 - Hegemony

4. Audiences and Institutions
This concerns how ‘stars’ are only really made for money. The
bigger identities become common household names which
leads to increasing sales for the media institution. This is
then followed by the artist being modelled around the target
audience of their choosing. One example would be Lady
Gaga. She has been shaped for fashion-forward people who
will heavily relate to her. Thus, increasing sales and fans. It
also makes her a very vivid figure in regards to the media
as her persona is unusual.

5. Constitutions
This is similar to the audiences and institutions part of
his theory. This part focuses on how the ‘star’ is
made for an audience as apposed to an individual
person. Lots of ‘stars’ are built with some sort of
unique signature which makes them different from
others. Lady Gaga’s unique feature is her obscure
sense of fashion for example.

6. Hegemony
This part is also known as ‘culture’. This part is focused around the idea that ‘stars’
have a certain feature that allows their audience to subconciously relate to them.
This can because they share this feature or perhaps they admire it. Either way,
sometimes this feature causes the fan to try and replicate the ‘star’ to the
extreme. Whether it be their behaviour or fashion. This has sometimes impacted
negatively in a lot of cases. This is because ‘stars’ have been known for their
heavy drinking or use of drugs. One very famous example includes the Beatles.
There was a significant increase the sale of Cannabis after they were public
about using it themselves. This proves how strongly the masses can be moved
by ‘stars’ and their actions.
‘Stars’ represent the shared attitudes and values s well as promoting certain ideals
to the masses. All audiences really want to do is enhance their ‘star quality’
and having an active interest in these values is what allows this to happen. As
such, ‘Stars’ have been easily known to star fashion trends or even just trends
in general. A common example is fashion. If a ‘star’ is seen and approved
wearing a piece of clothing, people will generally wear it as well, thus
heightening their ‘star quality’.