Dyer's Star Image

Richard Dyer wrote about the image of 'stars' in films and the music industry, he explained that 'stars' are simply an image which is constructed out of a range of materials such as TV, performances, videos, social media, usually created by the record label in order to create an image to sell to the public. The stars image is constructed by a range of meanings which are then attractive to their target audience. Overall Dyer believes that celebrities are constructed to represent 'real people' experiencing real emotions in order to relate to audiences and sell products such as films or music.

Richard Dyers star theory suggests three main features which make up a 'Star':

1. The Star as a construction - Through advertisements, the stars image is portrayed in magazines, films, television, social media and more which has been created by their label management. 
2. The Star as a commodity - The star has been created by their management in order to sell to a specific target audience.
3. The Star as an ideology - What the artist represents, a meaning such as girl power, rebellion, friendship and more

Paradox 1

'The Star must be simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary for the consumer" 

this means that making a star a role model, someone who people can look up to but also see someone that you can relate to. Their image has to be ordinary and extraordinary at the same time, eg. Photos of a star living a luxurious lifestyle in private jets, red carpets and travelling, but also allowing the public to see photos of the star going through pregnancy, or sitting on the sofa in their pyjamas on a Sunday, something which ordinary people can relate to. 

Paradox 2

"The star must be simultaneously present and absent for the consumer" 

Meaning that everyone knows who these stars are, but they are not constantly in the spotlight. They want people to know that they are always present but not seen or heard of too much that the consumers get sick and bored of them. They will be marketed when there is an album release but then also an element of mystery. By doing this, it makes people want to constantly consume their brand.