2. Rihanna
Audience and Institutions
Rihanna is a prime example of Richard Dyer’s idea of a star and she fulfils all of the
elements. She is known for her identity, which is necessarily created by her singing
career. Her record label transformed her into a Pop star after her album ‘Good Girl
Gone Bad’ was released, she had a celebrity boyfriend, and is present in most forms of
media, such as magazines, on TV, on the radio. She also attends premiers and famous
parties, were she will gain more publicity as a result of getting recognized. People
recognize her not just for her music, but also for her reputation as a person. Dyer
suggests that stars have lasting impacts of the audience, therefore they will not be
forgotten. Rihanna has a charity which aids 10,000 people in need of bone marrow
transplants, with the help of Rihanna the brand gains awareness, as she is titled a
‘star’. As this brand will have a lasting effect on people, she is said to be a ‘true pop
star’. She also models trends that are being set, relating to the audience.
3. Character and Personality
The audience can see how Rihanna went from being skinny to curvy as the trends have
changed. She provides the audience with an idea of what they are meant to be like, or what
society says they should be like.
Construction
A star is built solely for an audience, not for the person. Rihanna was constructed by her
record label. For example, when Rihanna went through a phase of dying her hair red, society
followed her actions. Her fashion and hair do’s all accumulate to the construction of a star.
Hegemony
Rihanna has a massive following in magazines, newspapers and social networking sites,
therefore the audience can see her actions everywhere. Some attempt to replicate aspects of
the star which they like, but this can be negative as stars are sometimes seen as bad role
models. For example, Rihanna can be seen as a role model to girls aged 13 or over, in
particular, but can be seen as a bad role model as she is seen smoking drugs, abusing alcohol,
taking nude photographs and staying in a relationship with a abusive and criminal boyfriend.
As a role model, people are likely to idealise her by copying her actions.
4. Cheryl
Audience and Institutions
Cheryl has had a past career of being in Girls Aloud and
then continuing to follow a solo career. Her record label
built her up as a member of a girl group, then she got
signed as a solo artist. Her career also stretches to TV
advertisements, the X Factor, movie premiers, and social
events. She is also supportive of lots of charities,
conveying her as a good role model.
Character and Personality
Cheryl has always been skinny and stylish, setting an
example for the audience. She has changed her style as
time has progressed, showing that there are different
sides to her character and personality. She is seen as a
respected and successful star. She has grown up in this
career, therefore she has developed an extremely wide
fan base, girls in particular admire her and her attitude.
She is a singer, but is disregarded as a singer in many
aspects, as she is more known for other jobs and
moments in her life.
5. Construction
She has been constructed by her record label. She has worn signature outfits,
for example on her ‘Fight for this love’ video, she was the military outfit,
which is still recognised by the audience today. She is also recognised from
other aspects such as her tattoo, and her Geordie accent. People respect her
as she is conveyed and ‘down to earth’. She has been constructed, as she now
know what to wear to be in style, what hairstyle is on trend (she also takes
part in the Tresemme hair adverts) and how to behave.
Hegemony
She is respected for having been through tough times, for example getting a
deadly disease, getting cheated on by a footballer and getting a divorce,
getting re-married. She is rarely seen smoking, drinking, taking naked
photographs…etc, such as artists like Rihanna. Therefore she could be seen as
a good role model, as mainly she keeps her life very private. She can be seen
as a role model to girls in particular, as they wish to be like her.
