Richard Dyer - Star Power
Richard W.Dyer (born 1945) is an English academic specialising in cinema. From 2006 he has been the professor of film studies at Kings College London.
He created 'star theory'. He states that 'pop performers' and 'pop are interchangeable' terms and should instead be made distinguishable. Meaning a distinction should be made between those who simply perform music from the pop genre. So many pop performers are named pop stars by their management to try to promote them to this status. This is usually achieved through a few tabloid stories a famous relationship, attendance at big events and a feature in a hit magazine such as Heat. However to truly 'make it' as a true pop star one must continue this 'brand awareness' over a longer period of time.
Dyer suggests that all stars are made, constructed. Even artist's like Ed Sheeran who are materialized by his agency to seem real and genuine.
"A star is an image not a real person that is constructed (as any other aspect of fiction is) out of a range materials (e.g. advertising, magazines etc as well as films [music])." Dyer, 1979
Stars are made by the industry for a reason. That reason being to make money. And to do this successfully they need to have fans who will buy the merchandise and their music.
This can achieved by following ideologies e.g. beautiful women and successful/rich men. Or by the use of a character or personality. For example Lady Gaga and David Bowie