Intro to Celebrity and The Media - part of AQA A2 Media Studies course.

1. CELEBRITY
Media Issues and Debates
A2 Media Studies @ KKS

2. Do you recognise any of
these people?
What are they famous for?

3. Famous for being famous?
What are these people known for?

4. Some critical perspectives see modern celebrity as an example of
cultural decline, with fame no longer based on talent,
achievements or expertise. They argue that fame is often based
on luck and exposure.
A more positive interpretation of contemporary celebrity points
to the wider range of social groups being represented and this can
be seen as the ‘democratisation’ of celebrity as well as evidence of
a more inclusive society.
DISCUSSION
Do you see contemporary celebrities as an example of a more inclusive and democratic society?
Is it relevant whether they are famous for their achievements and talent or simply ‘famous for
being famous’

5. THE ATTRIBUTES OF A MODERN CELEBRITY SOURCE: AQA Media Studies A2 Textbook p9
• Well known for being well known
• Frequently seen in magazines such as Heat, OK and Hello and tabloid newspapers
• Informal and intimate
• Seen as familiar, down-to-earth and ‘someone like us’
• Boundaries between private and public life are often blurred - Discussion of relationships and
personal problems in the media.
• Often the subject of gossip and speculation
INDIVIDUALTASK
Think critically about 3 celebrities that are frequently seen in the media. Is their fame based
on being famous or do they have unique skills and attributes that account for their fame?

6. CRITICALPERSPECTIVES
Stacey (1994) argued that the meaning audiences place on
celebrities is linked to a sense of escapism. The idea that an
audience can dream or fantasise about being part of a
lifestyle that celebrities are perceived to have. Stacey
investigated the attachment of British women to Hollywood
actresses in the post-war 40’s and 50’s (We will look at this
idea of ‘Female Spectatorship’ in more detail when we look at
Feminism and the media)

7. CRITICALPERSPECTIVES
Dyer (1994) suggests that a celebrity must resonate with the
ideas, values and spirit of the time. The celebrity is very much
of their time and culture. ‘a product of their generation’ if you
will. Think about the discussion in magazines about celebrities
and whether or not they conform to preconceived or in
some cases hegemonic ideals. Celebrities are often lauded
and derided in equal measure for what they where, what
shape they are in, who they are dating e.t.c.
Click here to read more about Dyer’s ‘Star Theory’ on the mediaknowall site.

8. CRITICALPERSPECTIVES
Adorno and the Frankfurt School (1991) looked at both the
positive and negative influence of celebrity. They argued that
the general public might identify with charismatic celebrity
individuals with negative consequences. For example,
connecting the rise in incidences of anorexia in young girls
with the popularity and endorsement of supermodels and
other prominent celebrity figures.

9. HOMEWORK
Select a contemporary celebrity to research. Look at online newspapers. The celebrity’s
websites and the websites of celebrity magazines such as OK! or Heat. Write a short
essay style answer that considers the following:
Production - Through what medium did this celebrity gain their status and how is it
maintained
Text - What is ordinary and extraordinary about this celebrity? How can they be seen as
being symptomatic of the context or culture in which they are produced.
Audience - Who consumes the media coverage of this celebrity; What meaning does it
have to them do you think?
Do the various media theorists’ critical perspectives on celebrity help to explain the popularity
of the celebrity that you have researched?

10. FURTHERREADING
AQA A2 Media Studies Textbook - Pg8-11
Adorno. T.,The Culture Industry: Selected Essays on Mass
Culture,Routledge,1991 - (Heavy reading but there are lots of summaries
and overviews online!)
Stacey. J., Star Gazing: Hollywood Cinema and Female Spectatorship,
Routledge, 1994
Dyer, R., Heavenly Bodies: Film Stars and Society, Routledge, 2004
This list is simply to encourage you to investigate these the
theories discussed in class further should you choose to do
so.