1. DYER’S STAR THEORY
A theory which states that
stars are 'constructed' even if
they are represented as a
real person

2. "A STAR IS AN IMAGE, NOT A REAL PERSON, THAT
IS CONSTRUCTED (AS ANY OTHER ASPECT OF
FICTION IS) OUT OF A RANGE OF MATERIALS (E.G.
ADVERTISING, MAGAZINES ETC. AS WELL AS FILMS
[MUSIC])." – RICHARD DYER
A ‘star’ – a musician or an actor, for example – is only artificial, or so says
Dyer’s theory. A star’s image usually contains a USP (Unique Selling Point)
which can be emphasised and then copied by their fans.
The X Factor gives the public a small look into this ‘construction process’ of a
normal, ordinary person being styled, pampered and coached into being
what their target market expect and enjoy from a star.
Stars are manufactured by the music industry with one sole purpose – to
make money out of audiences who will respond to elements of a star’s
persona by purchasing the star’s merchandise. Record companies shape
their stars into what they believe audiences want, which is why many boy
bands tend to look and act the same.

3. POP PERFORMERS AND POP
STARS
The words ‘pop performer’ and a ‘pop star’ have become
interchangeable, although they aren’t actually the same thing. A ‘pop
performer’ is known for performing pop music, whereas a ‘pop star’ has an
identity/persona that is not restricted to just their music.
One reason that lots of pop performers are described as being pop stars is
because they’re quickly promoted to star status by their management. This
promotion is easily done via a famous partner, attendance at premieres and
parties or a feature in a popular magazine. Some stars can appear to skip
the performer stage altogether, although they will have to go through it no
matter how hard they try to hide it.
However, some pop stars can have lasting significance and have ‘brand
awareness’ amongst a wider market, for example after the Spice
Girls, Victoria Beckham went on to become a fashion designer.

4. IDEOLOGIES
Manufactured stars promote certain ideologies and represent shared cultural
values and attitudes so that their ‘star quality’ is enhanced and appeals
further to an audience’s interest. Conveying opinions, beliefs and ideas
outside of a star’s music helps them create their star persona.
A star could start a fashion trend that results in thousands of fans, and even
people who aren’t particularly fans, copying their hairstyle or clothing. For
example, in 2011 the world went crazy for Rihanna’s red hair and near
enough every female was seen sporting red locks, even females who weren’t
particularly fond of Rihanna’s music.
One growing way for pop stars to voice their own values outside of music is
via social networks, for example a star can tweet about an issue they’re
passionate about and will then expect their fans to engage with the
issue, just as much as they expect their fans to listen to their music and
engage with that.

5. CHARACTER
A star is constructed as being as real as possible; they possess gender and
race characteristics; have feelings; have body hang-ups and act like just a
‘normal person’.
Constructed stars provide audiences with an idea of what people are
supposed to look like and act like, for example the majority of female stars
are thin and beautiful so audiences will want to conform to this and believe
that that is what normal women are meant to be like. Stars can either support
the hegemony by conforming to the thin and beautiful stereotype or they
could go against it and be the ‘fat, but still loveable’ star.
Pop stars establish their personality through their songs and their
performances and will normally strive to establish their star identity through
their first album. A pop star’s persona is fragile and needs constant nurturing
and is the product of constant communication between the star and their
audience.