Theory of Stardom : Richard Dyer

In this blogpost, it will present a brief summary of what we learn on Stardom Theory as well as our works as a group of investigating this theory on real life stars.

STARDOM THEORY

Richard Dyer’s Stardom Theory suggested that celebrities are developed and presented by the media industry to the public eye or the audience as an idol (their "ideal" type of person they dreamed of), which often represent a specific persona that are engaging and appealing to the targeted demographic. The purpose of doing this is to sell media company's products and/or just generating popularity in general.

Persona can be divided into two types:

1. REAL persona
   A curated version of themselves, designed to fit the expectations of an audience; to REEL or to attract the audience.
   Eg. Performances, Music videos, social media
2. REAL persona
   The authentic personality of the star— it means how they really behave (they're real personality as an individual) in their personal life, behind the stages, and away from camera
   Eg. Interviews, documentaries, behind-the-scenes footage
   
   

Why are celebrities appealing? 

1. Love: We are fascinated with the love lives of the stars, can also feel a romantic affiliation with them
   
2. Ordinariness: We like to see them doing routine things, living normal lives just like our own
   
3. Success: We like the idea of overnight success, and failure before success. This appeals to our
   sense of fair play. (Why we like reality TV so much)
4. Consumption: We are fascinated by the huge material wealth brought by media success. Not just
   luxury homes and cars, but also strict dietary regimes set by expensive nutritionists, holidays etc.
5. Dream turned sour (downfall): fascination with the exploitation of their misery
   

Here is my group's notes and a star we investigate for the stardom theory case studies

Self Reflections: Making this blogpost is important to me, as I am forced to recalled any knowledge relating this topic that our teacher gave us, which this helps me able to understand Theory of Stardom even better. I also realises how this theory conforms most artist and stars, which further proven the effectiveness and the reliability of this theory.