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.

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’.