RICHARD DYERMartelle Kumar

Media Studies A2

Dyer proposes that:

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]).

BRIEF DEFINITION OF A STAR

Richard Dyer’s Star Theory is the idea that icons and celebrities constructed by institutions for financial

gain and target one specific audience/group of

people.

This persona of this star is a fictional identity thus making the

star not restricted to musicianship, many ‘STARS’ introduces new

things many bring fashion trends, popular phrase to consumers.

DYER’S THEORY CAN EASILY BE BROKEN DOWN INTO 5 SECTIONS:

1. The making of a start2. Constructions

3. Audience and Institutions 4. Hegemony (Cultural Beliefs)5. Character and personality

Rihanna is a prime example of Richard Dyers idea of a star

MAKING OF A STARPop star Rihanna/RiRi is known for her identity

which isn't bounded by her singing career. She was formally a pop performer, she had no greater

identity past her own. Record label Def. Jam Roc Nation transformed her into a pop star after album

‘Good Girl Gone Bad’; she had a celebrity boyfriend, became present in most magazines and

attended premiers and famous parties. Making people recognise her not just for music but for her image. In a short 7 years she has a huge identity

MAINTAINING STARDOM

Richard Dyer insists that true pop stars have lasting significances if they make sufficient sociological or cultural impacts if not they will be forgotten by all but their most avid

fans within a few years. Rihanna has a charity what has made

impact. The Believe foundation (founded by RiRi,2006) outlined goals of aiding 10,000

people in need of bone marrow transplants, the foundation also wants to recruited and

register donors; with the help of Rihanna the foundation get raise brand awareness.

The foundation would leave a lasting affect on people after her fame making her a ‘true

pop star’

AUDIENCE AND INSTITUTIONS

Stars are made fundamentally to make money. The music institution then models the stars

image around the target audience. Rihanna is modelled on what trends are being set, her persona’s character and personality are based on what is the ‘right now’ trends

CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY

Dyers theory suggest that stars are made to make money and that purpose alone

Although the star starts as a ‘real’ human in institution they are transformed so they can provided a image of their time and culture.

Audience can see how Rihanna went from being curvy to skinny as the trends have changed.

The audience tend to read them as not-entirely-fictional, as being are very much of their time

and culture, the product of a particular generation. The star provides audiences with

idea of what they are meant to be like.

CONSTRUCTION OF A STAR

The star is built solely for an audience, not the person.

Rihanna was constructed by Def. Jam Roc Nation(her

record label) with hair-dos, fashions and other USP’s to

differ from othersFor example you can see how she has changed in time to be

different

HEGEMONY (CULTURAL BELIEFS)Hegemony in the star theory is that we(as the audience) can relate to the star as we admire or share what they're experiences. This develops into idolizations. Rihanna has a massive following in magazines, social networking sites and so on so the audience can see her actions everywhere.

Some attempt to replicate what they like abou the star, but this can be negative to the stars as they are seen as role modes. Rihanna can be seen as role model to 13+ females, but as a ‘bad girl’ she is a bad influence because she is spotted smoking drugs, abusing alchol and taking nude photos as well as staying in a relationship with a alleged abusive boyfriend . As a role model the people idolizing her can star copying these actions