Richard Dyer's Star theory...

Dyer proposes that...


"A star is an image, rather than a real person, that is constructed out of a range of materials

(e.g advertising, magazines, films etc)."

• Dyer says that someone becomes a pop star once they/ their persona is delivered to the public through reasons other than just their individual talent (music, acting etc.). 
• The stages from being a pop performer to becoming a pop star can be extremely beneficial to the artist. Once they are known by the public for more than just their music talent, it is harder for the public and the media to forget the individual.
• Dyer argues that stars are constructed to be seen as “real people” by displaying particular emotions and beliefs, when in reality they have been constructed by their institution.
• Stars are made to serve a financial purpose to their industry. He argues that “stardom” is created purely for financial reasons and that the stars finance situation is created through their fans and the mass media.

Rhianna

                       

• Rihanna is known for her music career which began when she met record producer Evan Rogers through mutual friends in late 2003.
• She was original a ‘pop performer’ as she had no other connections to fame other than her music career.
• She soon became a ‘pop star’ once she started to date Chris Brown.
• Album cover for 'Unapologetic' illustrates an example of the male gaze theory. The image above (unapologetic album) displays Rihanna naked in a sexualised position with the words 'Unapologetic' just covering up her breasts, this is very different from her first album cover (image below). Her first album 'Move into the sun' expresses a lot more innocence, by using a close up shot of her face it highlights the softness of her face, there is no use of hash make up and they have used very natural colours, this all ties in to portray a undertone of innocence.

• Rihanna released her album  album ‘Good girl gone bad’ when she first began dating Chris Brown. 
• She was signed to Def Jam Records when she released the album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ and Def Jam Records had transformed her image to a ‘sexy, week-smoking, pop star’. Along with her new image came a new range of fan base.
• She was seen in most magazine’s attending premiers and celebrity parties all along with Chris Brown.
• Rihanna has now appeared in many films such as ‘Battlefield’ and ‘This Is The End’ which again gained her more fans.