Stars represent shared cultural values and attitudes that promote a certain ideology. They initiate cultural discourse and commentary outside of their music to establish their persona. Stardom itself is a cultural value that ideologies around materialism and sexuality are drawn upon. Record companies manufacture stars to serve the purpose of making money by nurturing what they think audiences want. However, there are audiences not convinced by industry hype that want "real" artists perceived as unpolished. Stars are quite clearly products that record companies must sell based on their meanings.

1. ‘Star Theory’
RICHARD DYER

2. The terms "pop performer" and "pop star" have become
interchangeable —in media terms they are not the same
thing. The study of stars as media texts/components of
media texts demands that the distinction be made
between those who are simply known for performing
pop music and those who are known for being pop stars,
who have an identity or persona which is not restricted
solely to their musicianship.
One of the reasons so many pop performers are
described as pop stars is that they are quickly promoted
to this status by their management. This is easily done by
the appearance of a famous boyfriend/girlfriend,
attendance at premieres/parties and a feature in HEAT
magazine. It can be easy to forget about the music in the
light of the outfits or love affairs.
POP PERFORMER? POP STAR?
Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust star persona - still
a recognizable icon 40 years later

3. “In these terms it can be argued that stars are representations of persons which reinforce,
legitimate or occasionally alter the prevalent preconceptions of what it is to be a human
being in this society. There is a good deal at stake in such conceptions. On the one hand, our
society stresses what makes them like others in the social group/class/gender to which they
belong. This individualising stress involves a separation of the person's "self" from his/her
social "roles", and hence poses the individual against society. On the other hand society
suggests that certain norms of behaviour are appropriate to given groups of people, which
many people in such groups would now wish to contest (eg the struggles over representation
of blacks, women and gays in recent years).Stars are one of the ways in which conceptions
of such persons are promulgated.”
Richard Dyer — The Stars (BFI Education 1979)
DYER SAYS:

4. Stars represent shared cultural values and attitudes, and promote a certain
ideology. Audience interest in these values enhances their 'star quality', and it is
through conveying beliefs ideas and opinions outside music that performers help
create their star persona. A star may initiate a fashion trend, with legions of fans
copying their hairstyle and clothing. Stars initiate or benefit from cultural
discourse (e.g. via their Twitter feed), and create an on-going critical commentary.
Now more than ever before, social networks give pop stars the opportunity to
establish their own values outside their music. Lady Gaga tweets frequently about
LGBT issues, and expects her Little Monsters to engage with that discourse just as
much as she expects them to listen to her music.
Stardom, and star worship in general is a cultural value in itself. Ideologies drawn
upon include materialism and sexuality. Whole sites of institutional support (eg
radio & TV shows, magazines, websites) are devoted to star scrutiny, and it seems
we can never get enough information.
IDEOLOGY AND CULTURE

5. Stars are manufactured by the music industry to serve a purpose — to make money out of
audiences, who respond to various elements of a star persona by buying records and
becoming fans. Stars are the cogs around which a plethora of record company gears find
themselves turning. Record companies nurture and shape their stars — as the TV talent
show processes have shown us. They tend to manufacture what they think audiences want,
hence the 'photocopied' nature of many boy bands, teen bands etc. However, there are
whole markets out there who are not convinced by the hype and don't want to spend their
money on blandness. The record industry also has a duty to provide bands/artists who are
perceived as 'real' (for 'real, maybe read 'ugly' or unpolished) for these audiences. Stars can
also be created by this route. Pop stars, whatever their nature, are quite clearly the product
of their record company — and they must be sold.
Dyer says:
Stars are commodities produced and consumed on the strength of their meanings.
INDUSTRY AND AUDIENCE