Richard Dyer's star theory argues that pop stars develop identities and brands beyond their music through constructed star images. Stars appeal to audiences by representing shared cultural values and attitudes to sell ideologies. Their personas are crafted by the music industry and need periodic revamping to sustain popularity over time as tastes change. Madonna and Katy Perry are examples of stars whose images have been strategically constructed through branding.

1. Star Theory

2. Richard Dyer
Dyer believed that pop stars have identities that aren’t restricted by their music. The true
persona of an artist has a lasting brand amongst a wider market.
Madonna is an example of the star image. O ther well known stars are recognised through
advertising like;

3. Star theory-construction
Stars tend to be constructed by having an artificial images.
Katy Perry
“A star is an image not a real person that is constructed out of a range of
materials.”

4. The effect of the industry and
Audience on Star’s.
As all artist stars must appeal to an audience.
Record companies need to nurture stars to appeal to audiences.
Boy bands are all very similar.
“Stars are commodities produced and consumed on the strength of their
meaning.”

5. The culture and ideology.
Stars tend to represent shared cultural values and attitudes to sell a certain
ideology, this again enhances “star quality”.

6. The character and personality
Stars provide the audience with ideas of what their supposed to conveyed, therefore
providing a difference, for example thin or fat.
Second album syndrome, this is were the artist is unable to sustain their persona over
time, for example (one hit wonder) James Blunt, “you’re beautiful” reached no.1 in March
2006. But fans dropped the next single “goodbye my lover "had only reached No.66.
Madonna is an example of changing you character over the period of time. With every
album.
Pop star’s personas need revamping.

7. Star Image Motif
Running theme for an artist.
-logo
-font style.