Richard Dyer - Star Quality

Richard Dyer is a British media theorist, who discussed a star’s special place in the audiences’ lives.
He suggests that a star’s meta-narrative impacts on the consumption by the audience. He argued that the star image is manufactured and artificial and that individual stars have their own unique selling point (brand values) in order to grab and hold our attention – for example – Justin Bieber’s hair, JLS’ colour codes...

The Paradox of the Star
Dyer’s central idea was that the star image could be discussed using two key paradoxes. Dyer suggested that a star image simultaneously has two contradictory representations. He said...
‘...a star is both ordinary & extraordinary.’

Dyer suggested that a star must be represented simultaneously as, just like us (the audience/regular people), but also at the same time possess something we do not have and something that makes them special, different, extraordinary... This might mean they are more talented, gifted, confident, passionate, artistic, sensitive, carefree or sexy, but also they are allowed to be rebellious, anti-social, or angry maybe. They are idealised version of humanity...idols.
‘...a star is both present & absent.’

Dyer also thought that the audience struggles with another paradox; and that is that the star is simultaneously present in our lives, be this in our social groups chat, our style, our identity, and our consumption habits.. However they are also absent, something that we perceive as out of reach,on a pedestal, and not actually there.

Dyer argued that as an audience we strive to complete the star image through consuming their products, shows, merchandise etc. We strive to complete the image by engaging with the star’s meta-narrative and, if possible, seek the ultimate satisfaction, seeing them live! The problem of course is that the meta-narrative shifts and changes and we are constantly striving to complete the image and constantly frustrated in our attempts to do so.