Star theory - Richard Dyer

Richard Dyer came up with a theory about stars in the film, music and magazine industry. These stars and celebrities are shown to be flawless and perfect as this is how the audience want to see them portrayed. However, Dyer believes that the audience of these different media want to see "real" stars meaning we see their true emotions, actions and appearance. Therefore, Dyer's theory about these media institutions is that they manufacture and construct these stars to fit their needs for financial benefits.

The reason stars are constructed and manufactured is so that each star individually attracts a different target market. This means that with a variety of stars means hat every different person can be targeted in one way or another meaning that money can be exploited from everyone.

Manufactured stars appear to be perfect in every aspect therefore this ideology results in many fans imitating and copying this star. This is an attempt to either become more relatable to the star or so the fans see themselves as more perfect. These benefits media institutions like record labels as they can sell merchandise to make even more money.

Some examples of manufactured stars could be: Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. Justin Bieber is a manufactured star as he was in the spotlight from a young age meaning that media institutions could easily manipulate him and his image. He was changed to target young girls around the age of 12 and he had merchandise made for everything these young girls would need like bags, lunchboxes, towels etc. In recent years, he is not manipulated as much as he has ditched this image he was given and shows his true self.

Lady Gaga is a constructed star as she was given a whole new image, and name. This meant that she could be a completely different person (like a alter ego) so that she could sell more records and have bigger hits. She was shaped to be a weird and abstract person but with very relatable music where the meaning could be twisted into something darker. Furthermore, her costumes and hair where always different and very strategic to get people talking for more money.

Stars who are being their real self are automatically more relatable to audiences as the star is not perfect. As fans and audiences already relate to the star, they feel like they don't need to change to suit that star’s ideology. As fan are not buying all merchandise the star will essentially make less money for the institutions however more people will be interested in buying the music and going to concerts meaning the star will still be extremely popular. 

Some examples of "real" stars could be: Adele and Demi Lovato. Adele is a real star as she is a larger woman who hasn't changed her weight to fit into society's standards; she also lets her true emotions show as most of her songs are based on relationships and breakups.

Demi Lovato is a seen as real due to her rocky past that she has embraced rather than hide. She dealt with serious issues which affected her mental health and was put into rehab. This makes her emotions and actions real, not manufactured.