2. Richard Dyer’s Theory
This is the theory that analyses pop artists as media texts,
and looks to distinguish then between those simply known
for making music and those who are known for their
personal life and dramas. One good example of a ‘pop star’
is Rihanna. I will be exploring how she is different from just
a pop performer and what this means in relation to her life
and presence.
3. 1. How do you become a pop star?
Within Dyer’s theory, there are certain stages which build up to classing
someone as a pop star. Of these the first dictates how someone
becomes a pop star. Dyer notes that the main key to this is clever
management. Rihanna is known for being controversial and appears in
many magazines for scandals that happen involving her. This not only
gives her spotlight but also creates an audience for people who want to
see what she gets up to. One of Rihanna’s most notable appearances in
the headlines was when she was abused by her boyfriend Chris Brown,
in 2009. Although she did not use this in an exploiting way, it created
public interest and got people in support of her.
4. 2. Stars as Constructions
This part explains how stars are simply constructions,
similarly to a film. Although they are real people who
have real lives, the public only sees a construction of
life, so however real it may seem, it never is. It does
not start this way though. Almost every artist,
including Rihanna, will start as a performer and then
those who have the biggest impact become pop stars.
This happened with Rihanna from her emergence in
2004 to now where she has been constructed into a
pop star. Although many pop stars are known for
having a unique selling point, this is not the case with
Rihanna, as she has reached a height of fame by
which almost every element of her persona sells her.
This is unlike Lady Gaga, who is almost solely known
for her fashion and appearance.
5. 3. Industry and Audience
The third part of Dyer's theory states that artists are manufactured by the music
industry to make money. This comes through the fans, who respond to the artist by
buying their music and supporting them. More recently in the music industry, it is
seen that artists are shaped by companies to meet what the audiences want. This is
most commonly seen in the TV show 'The X-Factor', but also 'Britain's Got Talent'.
Whereby the audience sees the artists change as they are shaped into a certain style.
This is why it is very common to see that many teen bands have a similar music style
and visual presence, because all bands are a carbon copy of the successful one. The
best example of this is One Direction, who created the boy band mold for many
other acts that have followed. Rihanna is an example of this. Coming from a time
where there were not so many influential females, she lead the way and created a
fan base for herself. Of which they respond to her by purchasing her music. Because
of social media, Rihanna can further her connection with her audience by responding
to them through twitter. This creates a stronger fan base which generate money for
her from her manufactured persona.
6. 4. Ideology and Culture
Stars will have their own ideologies and beyond this, promote cultural values
and attitudes. This keeps audiences interested and adds star value. Because
Rihanna is such a well known face, almost any photo shoot she does for
promotion or her personal life will create a trend within people who are fans of
her. Although Rihanna is not known for promoting any campaigns of any sort,
with her star image, she could easily connect with an audience to get people
behind something. When an artist does this, it not only creates more
connection with the artist through concern for a cause, but it also widens your
fan base and allows people to relate to the pop star.
7. 5. Character and Personality
Stars like Rihanna start off as 'real' humans with their own features and
characteristics, but the star transformation turns them into a construct.
Although audiences do not entirely read into them as a fictional character,
audiences see them as a product of a particular generation. Stars also provide
people with the idea of what people “should be like”. This is very relevant in
the case of Rihanna, because of her slim body and good looks. This means she
is at the center of many magazines which give comparisons into how people
should look. Rihanna would be seen in a positive way, in this sense. She is
someone who has never been out of shape or pregnant, so fans would see her
in a positive light and the way someone 'should' be. The idea of Rihanna being
like this is something people have become accustomed to, due to the many
music videos in which she is wearing revealing clothing or not much at all.
