Star Identity Theory

1. Richard Dyer
Star Identity

2. The Theory
• A star is an image not a real person that is
constructed out of a range of materials (eg
advertising, magazines etc as well as films
[music]).
• It helps if this constructed image contains a
USP to allow the star to appear unique to it's
audience

3. Institutions and Audiences
• Stars are constructed by
institutions in order to
appeal to audiences to
make money.
• This may be in the form
of a generic boy band
• Or in the form of
something more
rebellious to suit a
different audience.

4. Ideology
• Stars represent shared cultural values and
attitudes, and promote a certain ideology
• Social media can help stars engage in this
ideology and encourage their fans to engage too
• For example George Takei and his promotion of
LGBT issues
• Stars can become part of ideology themselves,
influencing everything from fashion to politics.

5. Culture
• Stars provide audiences with a focus for ideas of
'what people are supposed to be like' (eg for
women, thin/beautiful)
• They may support hegemony by conforming to it
(thin/beautiful) or providing difference (fat/still
lovable).
• Much of the media that covers stars focuses on
how they conform to this hegemony

6. How is star identity constructed in
these two videos?
• One Direction - Drag Me Down
▫ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwgf3wmiA0
4
• Meghan Trainor – All About That Bass
▫ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1VInw-SKc

7. Your Blog Post
• Explain Richard Dyers Theory of Star Identity
▫ Use examples from at least 2 different music videos.
Show some which conform to hegemony, and some
that don’t.
• Explain how this theory of star identity conforms to
or challenges your own representation of the stars in
your music video?
▫ Do you use stars in your music video?
▫ How are they represented?
▫ Do you conform to hegemony or break it?