Star Image

Star image is something which comes across as something that is a recognised sign which is used in many different media forms.

Richard Dyer is a British media theorist, who came up with his own Star Image Theory.

He has suggested that a star’s meta-narrative impacts on the consumption by the audience. He has also argued that the star image is manufactured and artificial and that individual stars should have their own unique selling point (brand values) in order to grab and hold our attention.

An example of this is Justin Bieber’s hair and JLS’ colour codes. Dyer’s main idea was that the star image could be discussed using two key paradoxes.  A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself. Dyer suggested that

a star image simultaneously has two conflicting representations. He said...‘a star is both ordinary & extraordinary.’ He had also suggested that a star must be represented simultaneously, just like us (the audience/regular people), however at the same time possess. Which is something we do not have and something that makes it special, different. Confident, passionate, artistic, sensitive, or carefree but also they are allowed to be rebellious, anti-social, or angry maybe.

‘...a star is both present & absent.’

Dyer had an idea that the audience struggles with another paradox. This is an idea that the star is simultaneously present in our lives, be this in our social groups chat and our style. They are also absent, something that we observe as out of reach, on a base, and not actually there.

Dyer had also argued that as an audience we struggle to complete the star image through consuming their products, shows, merchandise etc. We strive to complete

the image by engaging with the star’s story and background. The problem is that the

meta-narrative change and we are constantly determined to complete the image.

My Star image:

For my star image I am going to be focusing on Lana Del Rey. I like the styles of her Indie magazine covers and her vintage side to her in the way she dresses. Also her hair and makeup is simple but bold. Her eyes and lips always stand out because she uses dark lipstick and her eye makeup always stands out. However her hair is always big and curly and is never to simple. If it is she has it down and straight but still fits in with the theme.