Richard Dyer's star theory proposes that stars are constructions, not real people, created through marketing to generate profit. Stars represent certain ideologies that fans emulate. Dyer also describes the "paradox of the star" - stars must seem both ordinary enough for fans to relate to but also possess extraordinary talents, and be simultaneously present in fans' lives through media but absent and unattainable.

1. By Connor Truelove
Richard Dyer’s Star Theory

2. Introduction
Richard Dyer’s star theory can be split into three
areas:
The star as a construction
The star as a commodity
The star as an ideology
Richard Dyer also proposed the ‘paradox of the
star’

3. The star as a construction
Richard Dyer states that the star is a construction
and not a real person.
This star is constructed through music videos,
magazines, advertising etc.
For example Miley Cyrus has become famous for
her twerking and riding on a wrecking ball naked
however she wouldn’t do any of this stuff in the
privacy of her own home meaning that the person
Miley Cyrus and the star are two different people.

4. The star as a commodity
Stars are produced to create a profit off of related
merchandise e.g. t-shirts, posters and the like.
Record labels will create similar stars as they
know certain patterns and trends will work to
generate them money.
This is why we get so many boy bands who are
very similar e.g. one direction and the wanted.

5. The star as an ideology
Stars will represent certain social groups and
views and will therefore create certain ideologies.
As a result fans of the star will often copy their
style and share the same views as them.
Many fans of Beyoncé will share her view on
women and how they are independent and
shouldn’t be controlled by men.

6. Paradox of the star
Richard Dyer explains that there is a paradox of the
‘star’. The paradox is as follows:
The star must be both ordinary and extraordinary
The star must be both present and absent

7. The star must be both ordinary and
extraordinary
This part of the theory means the star needs to
be ordinary to allow the audience to relate to the
audience but posses an extraordinary talent or
quality which will make them be idolised by the
general public.
For example Adele is an ordinary woman from
London who speaks and acts like most people,
however she has an amazing voice which people
will idolise. This allows her to be the star that she
is.

8. The star must be both present and
absent
The second half of the theory explains that the star
must be present in our lives whether it is through their
merchandise, social media or involved in chat
between friends but also absent in the fact that they
are not actually there or are ‘out of reach’
This is shown by Harry Styles, he is a key part to
most teenage and young girls lives, they may have
his poster or other merchandise however he is not
obtainable to them allowing him to be present and
absent at the same time.