Richard Dyer's star theory proposes that pop stars are constructed by their managers to make money by representing real people and emotions. According to the theory, stars are manufactured to appeal to audiences through their music and personal lives so that fans will buy their records and merchandise. The document discusses how Rihanna's image and persona have been constructed over time through her changing style, relationships, and music to appeal to wider audiences and generate financial gain.

1. Richard Dyer’s star
theory
Tyrisha Lendor-Black

2. Richard Dyer’s Star Theory
Richard Dyers star theory fulfils the idea that pop stars are manufactured and
constructed in order to generate a financial gain. Furthering from this, he also
believes that stars are constructed to represent ‘real’ people that are
experiencing real emotions. They are constructed by their managers in order to
serve a specific purpose, whether that be through their music or their personal
life dilemmas. They are there to make money out of their audience whom thrive
off the interesting elements of the celebrities life and music therefore buying
their records and usually becoming a dedicated fan.

3. 1. How do you become a pop star
Although Rihanna was became big when she first
entered the industry, the clever management skills of
Jay-Z meant she has globalised as her persona has
turned from good girl to a rebel.
Along with this, her famous relationship with Chris
Brown and the drama that happened between them
caused many people to not take into consideration
her music for a while and be more concerned about
her personal life and the decisions she was making.
Through featuring in magazines Rihanna has also
been able to transform from a pop performer to a
pop star as they contained information on her
personal life as well as the outfits she wears to the
premiers and parties such as the Grammy’s.
Rihanna also has her own clothing and cosmetics
line coincided with River Island and Mac which has
attracted a larger audience. Even if people are not
fond of her music they want to know what she is up
to and often take time to

4. 2. Stars as constructions
Rihanna’s image can be seen as constructed due to
her changing from good girl to rebel. Her tattoos back-
up her persona and therefore shows that she has
been constructed in order to meet audience
expectations.
On the other hand, her presence can be deemed
marginally iconic as when she shaved her hair and
dyed it red it became a trending fashion which is still
carrying on to date.
As well as this, Rihanna’s unique selling point is her
personality and her sexual seductiveness. Through
this, it has meant that Rihanna has been able to
appeal to a wider range of people. By having a USP it
means that more people are likely to engage with you.
In Rihanna’s case it was not for her music but for the
things she conducted outside of this such as
relationships and love for fashion. Furthering from
this, Rihanna being from Barbados can be used as a
USP as more people want to undergo interviews with
her to find out about her background and culture.

5. 3. Industry and Audiences
Stars are in the industry to serve a purpose, in relation to
Rihanna her purpose is to appeal to young females and
males whilst her more mature context appeals to those
who are older.
It can be argued whether Rihanna is completely shaped
by her record label or whether she has self influence into
her appearance. Nevertheless, the character that she is
was created in order to make substantial amounts of
money.
It is clear to see where Rihanna has been shaped as
when she first entered the industry she was a quite shy
person who gained a fan base from her originality at the
time. Her first few songs were very cultural, however;
throughout the years she started to release her rebellious
side releasing songs such as ‘wait it over’. Once her
management realised that this act was appealing to
people they played on it and used it to their advantage.
This is where her songs turned to a real sexual nature
and had more to do with partying and drugs in
comparison to her initial love songs. However, Rihanna
still was pleasing her initial fan base by releasing songs
such as ‘man down’ and ‘no love allowed’ which showed
her Bajan culture.

6. 4.Ideology and Culture
In relation to Rihanna, the fact that she is very adventurous
with her hair styles enhances her star quality. Many females
changed their hair according to the way that Rihanna does.
Along with this, Rihanna’s fans also find replica’s of her
clothing to match what she wears on occasions. Not only this,
but the fact that she has her face printed on t-shirts also
improves her star quality.
Rihanna frequently updates her Twitter page and Instagram of
pictures of herself participating in illegal activities. She also
uses foul language which her followers tend to pick up on and
then use. For Rihanna, twitter has become a base for her life
away from her music, this is as she also frequently has
arguments and confrontations with other artists.
In this day and age, many people base their youth and
sexuality on what is seen in the media. This can be related to
Rihanna as she is the type of individual to be very open about
what she does and how she conducts her lifestyle.

7. 5. Character and Personality
Through the years of Rihanna’s career her character
and personality has changed and therefore she can
be seen to be ‘constructed’ and fulfilling the
hegemonic ideal. Her position within the female
music industry is very dominant and well-known.
When Rihanna first started her career her physique
was much more curvier, but as she became more
established her manager Jay-Z constructed her to
become thinner. This was to show her audience
‘what women are supposed to look like.’
Rihannas personality also changed from her Bajan
innocence to ‘good girl gone bad’ throughout the
years – this too was apart of her conforming to
hegemony as her personality made some people
see her as more beautiful.