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Richard Dyer's Star Theory and How One Direction Embodies Pop Stardom
1. Richard Dyer’s Star theory applied to pop stars
Richard Dyer produced the book known as Stars within the year of 1979. Which, within the book developed his ideas of
viewers having certain perspectives of films; claiming that such perceptions were encouraged via publicised figures (stars),
also reviews and public resources influence how audiences experience films. After founding such theory, Richard Dyer met
the means of investigating magazines, advertising methods, films and critical writing in the form of reviews; to obtain an
understanding of the relationship between popular figures and their influence on audience perception in context to films.
It is notable that a popstar has a significance to other marketing over time, such as brand association and recognition.
Whereby, many of the current artists featuring within the top margin of music charts do not posses such qualities; which
questions whether they are Pop stars in consideration of Richard Dyer’s Star theory:
“A star is an image not a real person that is constructed (as any other aspects of fiction is) out of a range of materials (eg
advertising, magazines etc as well as films [music]).” - Richard Dyer
Meaning, a star's image is created via the process of construction via the means of advertising, social media and events.
Furthermore, stars become recognised via different platforms through the means of merchandising their profile; which
merchandising utilised by industries suit the means of profitable operations. Whereby, stars become a commodity. In
addition, stars become influential to fans, whereby stars may represent social groups or cultures and influence fans to share
similar views; creating ideologies, whereby stars act a ideologists.
2. Artist(s) that suits the ideals of a pop star figure
One Direction, are an English and Irish male pop group successful due to their televised appearance on the show The X Factor (2010),
and further promotion via social networking on an international scale. In which, are considered to be pop stars. Whereby, the group has
acted as ideologists via numerous charity work such as: BBC’s Children In Need (2011), Comic Relief (2013), money raised towards
the Autism Action and Temporary Emergency Accommodation Mullingar charities (2012), Cancer Research (in the act as ambassadors
of the charity) and the Stand up to Cancer campaign also. In addition, the implication of social media had allowed One Direction to
seem fan-endorsed via utilising Twitter as a communication platform; accumulating ten-million followers by February 2013. Such
means of social media has constructed an image of the group, being socially interactive; showing an interest and a caring approach for
their fans. Which, is a positive image hence the group consists of ideologist figures. Moreover, One Direction is inevitably a commodity;
whereby are branded to merchandise such as clothing, jewelry and accessories for profitable purposes. Whereby, many fans would
make purchase of such items, creating trends and further promoting them as a pop-based group. In summary, One Direction suits all
the criteria of being popstars, according to Richard Dyer’s ‘Star theory’.