Richard Dyer's star theory argues that celebrities, or "stars", are constructed identities rather than real people. Stars have personas crafted for public consumption that differ from their private selves. They also usually have a unique selling point, like Michael Jackson's dance moves, that allows them to be imitated or parodied. Stars are sometimes constructed as exaggerated characters, like Lady Gaga, rather than resembling ordinary people, in order to appeal to fans who identify more with the character than a real person. Stars also represent social or cultural groups to help fans relate to them and adopt the star's ideologies, such as Meghan Trainor's lyrics about not being a "stick-figure silicone Barbie doll."

1. RICHARD DYER’S
STARTHEORY
Winnie Sunday Dacosta

2. StarsAre Constructed
■ A celebrity or ‘star’ is a construction and not a real person.
They are different from the real person as the way they
behave in private and in the public tend to differ greatly.
■ They usually have a USP (Unique Selling Point) which is easily
identifiable and allows them to be imitated or parodied. Eg.
Michael jackson’s signature dance moves

3. Lady Gaga
(Stefani Germanotta)
■ Some stars are constructed as
‘Characters’ that are not designed
to resemble ordinary people.
■ Their fans identify with these
characters more than relate to
them.
■ For example: Lady gaga is the
stage name of a celebrity. Her real
name is Stefani Germanotta.
■ As ‘Lady Gaga’ she is an
outrageously bold artist known for
wearing strange outfits whereas in
private she most likely wears
‘normal clothes’ instead.

4. Meghan
Trainor
■ Stars also tend to represent
particular social or cultural
groups so that they can relate
to them.
■ This is why fans adopt the same
ideologies as artists they like
and gain an idea of what they're
supposed to be like.
■ Eg. Meghan Trainor
“No, I wont be no stick-figure
silicone Barbie doll”

5. Pop StarsVs Pop Performers
■ There is also a difference between a pop performer and a pop
star
– Pop performers are as the title suggests; performers of
popular music
– Pop stars identities expand beyond their musical ability.

6. Profit-Makers
■ Dyer suggested that stars are constructed to make money in
the form of CD’s, Posters and merchandise.
■ Shows like the X factor and American Idol give an insight into
the process of grooming ordinary people into ‘stars’ which
supports his theory.

7. Paradox of the Star
The star must be both
ordinary and extraordinary
■ The star must be ordinary in the
sense that they are similar to their
fans, making them relatable
■ Extraordinary in the sense that they
are have an extraordinary talent
which is what makes them a star.
The star must be both
present and absent:
■ The star must be present through
their merchandise
■ Absent in the sense that we can have
all their merchandise but not them
themselves.