Dyer's Star Theory outlines Madonna's career stages from her early rebellious stage in the 1980s through to her current stage. Her first album established her edgy image which continued into her second album. In the mid-1980s, her music took a cleaner direction and she targeted older audiences. She then began acting in movies and broadway which expanded her fan base. In the 2000s, her music took on more folk and country influences. Recently, her albums have focused more on her sexuality and promoting her image as a dancer.

1. Dyer’s Star Theory
Olivia Hawthorne

2. Madonna Through The Years

3. The Rebellious Girl Stage
Her first, self-titled
album was released in
1983 when she was 24.
The edgy image is
established in the first
album cover.
This look was continued
onto her second album
‘Like A Virgin’ with the
title being a little ironic.
Click the album to
see her perform
live!
In this live footage of Madonna we
can see her quirkiness coming
through, in the costume and dance
moves.

4. The Classic Stage
At this stage her music took a
slightly different direction, as she
tried to target older audiences who
were previously sceptical of her
music. Her image became cleaner
and more classic. Whilst the music
spoken about major issues like teen
pregnancy (‘Papa Don’t Preach’)
This was released
in 1986 and her
third album.
The look went
slightly Marilyn
Monroe-esque,
with short blonde
hair and red lips.
Click the album to
see her perform
live!

5. The ‘I’m going to be in movies’ Stage
In this album her classic
look was continued, with
this film soundtrack. It had
a predominately
broadway-themed vibe but
did also contain some
contemp-pop tunes like
‘Vogue’
The Evita soundtrack
signposted her ‘musical
theate’ career. Having her as
the lead opposite Antonio
Bandares broadened her
audience to those interested
in musicals.

6. The Cowgirl Stage
The album ‘Music’ was released in 2006 which is
said have an ‘an overall dance-pop and electronica
vibe’ although it did contain lots of folky, country
songs.
An example being ‘Don’t Tell Me’ (linked) where
she is scene walking up and down a deserted road
wearing attire suited to a cowgirl. At this stage is
wasn’t all about over-sexualising her every move,
and more about broadening her music genre.
Click the album to
see the music vid!

7. The Overly Sexualised ‘Dancer’
Stage
Madonna’s more recent
albums have become more
about making her sex object
and promotes the idea of her
being a ‘dancer’
An example can be seen
in her ‘Hung Up’ music
video and the ‘4 Minutes’
music video which
feature Justin
Timberlake.