Rebecca Preston

Dyer's theory

Stars are constructed and represented as being "real people", experiencing real emotions, it helps if their image contains a USP. Pop stars have the advantage over film stars in that their constructed image may be more consistent over a period of time, and is not dependent on the creative input of others for example screenwriters writing their lines.

Applying Dyer’s theory to a popstar

I have chosen to apply Dyer’s star theory to Miley Cyrus because I believe that the music industry has changed her as she's gotten older. Everyone knew her because of her respectable role as a 'Disney girl'. She was mostly known for her role as Hannah Montana and many young girls looked up to her and wanted to be like her. As she got older I think she wanted to change the type of target audience and the type of attention she was getting. I believe she done this to make more money because the more fans she has the views and money she will make. As she was getting older, her agent/producer thought they could make more money and get her more attention by changing her image and the type of music she was making. They also changed the style of her songs and music videos to fit in with her 'new personality' and fan base.

Stars and construction

Dyer says that stars are constructed/artificial images, even if they are represented as being “real” people. It can also help if their image has a unique selling point.

Miley was born in the USA and grew up as an actress and played the part of hannah montana on disney channel. She signed to a record label and released many songs which made young girls want to be like her and look up to her. Her first albums consisted of songs about growing up and having fun, the cover was an image of her dressed in a pink t-shirt and smiling at the camera. Miley released an album in 2013 “Bangerz”, one of the more popular songs on there is called “We can't stop”, this is about house parties and drug taking. This shows how the meaning of her songs has changed and the type of audience she wants to attract.

Industry and audiences

Stars are manufactures by the music industry to serve a purpose and to make money from the audiences. The audience responds to the stars persona and the fans will pay any price to see them live and buy their albums.

Miley cyrus used to be popular for her role as Hannah Montana but she is now mostly known for her outfits and twerking. Her music and music videos are not very unique as the same style of music comes from artists such as Rihanna and her music video “Pour it up” and Nicki Minaj music video “anaconda”. Miley holds many concerts and liver performances which means that her audience and fans have many chances to see her perform. Miley cyrus has been on many tv shows such as Australias got talent and hosted the MTV music awards.

Ideology and cultureRichard Dyer believes that the stars all share the same cultural beliefs and values to suit and encourage the audience.

Miley has many tattoos, most of them mean something to her, an example of this is her first ever tattoo is of the words “just breathe” this in memory of one of her closest friends that died of lung cancer. One of the latest tattoos that she got is a portrait of her grandmother after she passed away. A popstar can recreate the way they dress to get more fans or a different/wider target audience. Fans are able to keep a constant update on their favorite celebrity through social media and all of the gossip sites. This is a way for the celebrity to interact with their fans. Miley Cyrus makes her record label money, the more fans she has the more money the record label will make. She does this by changing her image and her music style to attract a wider audience, meaning more fans. Miley changed her record label and they changed her look and the types of songs that she was singing, this changed from rock/pop songs to hip hop/R&B.

Character and personality

Richard Dyer believes that the pop star must be seen as a “real” person and someone that the audience can relate to. They must also keep up with the latest trends and the new generation, this is to keep the target audience interested and growing. Dyer also believes that if we see the celebrity in a different state of mind they will gain more supporters and fans.

Miley is the founder of a non profit organisation called “The happy hippie” that help support homeless people. As this is a non profit charity it means that she is doing it to help others and not for herself.