Richard Dyers theory

Dyers theory is that star images are constructed even if they are represented as a real person. A star is a product as they are bought and sold. Stars are constructed out of a range of products (e.g videos, artwork, live performances, social media such as facebook and twitter.) Star image stands for a set of meanings and values such as rebellion, originality, youthful, aggression and anger, sexual magnetism. For example Amy Winehouses image was about sex and drugs, but also creativity and talent. These meanings are what sell the products. Stars are commodities that are produced and consumed on the strength of their meanings.

1^st paradox

A star is both ordinary and extraordinary.

The reason being for them being ordinary is so that people can relate to them. And for them to be admired and looked up to, they must be extraordinary. This also gives you a reason to buy it as it is something special.

Adele shows this as she is very much all about the singing. In her videos and when she performs there is no visual display, this shows her to be ordinary. She is also a larger women, who has a personality – you see this in interviews when she speaks, and this range of things feed into her image. However her voice makes her extraordinary, and the talent she has of song writing. Her lifestyle now is a lot better now that she has got a lot of money – this makes her extraordinary as she is wealthy. Also she has been successful (through her getting awards.)  You can see in this image that it is all about Adeles voice, there aren't any gimmicks - she isn't about the look and they are playing on that idea of her looking like a normal, large woman, this shows that they are wanting to portray this image of her just being ordinary which gives her a less extravagant look and more down to earth normal image which people warm to.

2^nd paradox

A star needs to be both absent and present.

By the stars being present the public are able to know about their daily life (private life), for example on twitter they are getting a direct address from the stars. Beyonce tweeted about her pregnancy and fans know about it immediately. Fans feel that they are getting it straight from her, and it was the most retweeted tweet ever! In stars videos they directly address the audience through looking into the camera. This creates a feeling that the star are singing just for you and that you are there with them. This brings a closeness between the fans and the stars. Also through the use of big close ups it feels as if you are with them – this is seen in videos but also on album covers. However Adele closed her eyes in one of hers this shows that she is not about the fame and its about the music (or at least that’s what they want people to believe.)

However between the star and fans there must also be an absence. The promise of closeness is never completely fulfilled. There should be no personal relationship. This encourages the audience to keep trying to get close to them – and the way that they do that is by seeing them live and reading all about them. This is the idea to close the gap between reality and the promise of closeness.