Star Quality Theory

A short overview of Richard Dyers Star Quality Theory:

 

 

 

 

Audience and Institution being the idea that stars are made to make money. The institution models the star image around the target audience. For instance The spice girls each had different characters (costume and personality) to stand out and look fun to attract a young energetic audience.

 

 

 

 

Construction being the idea that the artist is built specifically for the audience to differentiate them from other stars. For example, Pink was made up to look tomboyish, with heavy black clothes and makeup, short hair and stern facial expressions to suit her rock image and create a statement that woman can are as tough as men.

 

 

 

Hegemony is when an audience feels they can relate to or admire a star and usual tries to replicate them in some way. Their admiration becomes idolization. This can be positive for example, Paramore suggest you don't need to be an emo, miserable person to love punk music and rock instrumentals. However some stars have a negative impact, for example Britney Spears, who portrays herself as a bad role model and in some ways has influenced peoples poor decisions such as drug usage.