Lady Gaga exemplifies Robert Dyer's "star theory" by constructing a unique and eccentric public persona. She adopted her stage name Lady Gaga as the first step in crafting her artificial image, which features outrageous outfits and makeup. This unique selling point makes her easily identifiable and represents shared cultural values that enhance her star quality. Lady Gaga also initiates fashion trends and cultural discourse through social media as Dyer described, further establishing her star persona.

1. • "A star is an image not a real person that is constructed (as any
other aspect of fiction is) out of a range of materials (eg
advertising, magazines etc as well as films [music])." - Dyer

2. Lady Gaga as an example of
Dyer’s ‘Star theory’
• Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March
28, 1986,) best known by her stage name Lady Gaga,
is an American singer/ songwriter. Stage names are
commonly used by artists in the music industry,
either for legal reasons – or to enhance their
‘character.’ The adoption of a new name is the first
step in become a ‘constructed, artificial image.’
• Lady Gaga’s ‘identity’ isn’t exactly a mainstream one;
she isn’t the ideal representation of a woman.
However, the ‘weird’ or ‘eccentric’ persona that she
has created contributes towards her USP (unique
selling point.) Robert Dyer says that ‘it helps if their
image contains a USP.’
• Lady Gaga’s USP therefore is this appearance she has
created of a crazy and eccentric star. She often
fashions outlandish outfits and wacky make-up,
making her very iconic. Her image is easily
identifiable.

3. Ideology and Culture
• Dyer: ‘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.’
• Lady Gaga is a perfect example of this as she is often spotted in extreme outfits.
Although her fashion sense if very eccentric, she often inspires more subtle
versions of her clothing/ hair in the mainstream.

4. • Dyer also said: ‘Now more than ever before,
social networks give pop stars the opportunity to
establish their own values outside their music.’
• Lady Gaga has always been a strong and open
supporter or LBGT rights. She presents these
very strongly in her music (including videos) –
with songs such as ‘born this way’ clearly aimed
at/ regarding LGBT issues.
• Gaga also features a ‘male alter-ego’ Jo
Calderone in her music video for ‘you and I.’
Although she claimed this was supposed to be
supporting the trans* community, it gained a lot
of criticism from them, as many agree with Dyer
– that it is all an ‘image’ to make profit when
some people really face gender identity issues.
• However, a reasonable amount of Gaga’s fans
are members of the LGBT community –
suggesting that her establishment of her values
worked well.
• As mentioned in task 1, the main purpose of a
music video is to make money – the same as the
reason for the fictional character created by stars
according to Dyer. Therefore combining the two
should be extremely effective – something Lady
Gaga does frequently.