Star Theory

Stars As Constructions.

Dyer believes artist are constructed through images such as advertising, film magazines and music. His theory claims that consumers prefer artists to convey their true emotions themselves and not to be groomed by record labels who try to create a fake image for them. A real artist can use this as their unique selling point. 

Richard Dyer also Believes that stars are manufactured to make money for their record labels by appealing to target their audiences, as a result of this record labels have to market different artists to cater for certain target audiences as there are both niche and mainstream markets. 

Star theory is that artists become trendsetters, audience members will imitate hair styles and artists clothing styles, artists may have religious beliefs and cultural values that the audience may pick up of if shared by the artist,the internet has meant that audience now have far greater access to the personal lives of stars. stars support the hegemony, dominant ideology which means that the music industry sexualise women and make the men dominant. Gramsci is best known for his theory of cultural hegemony which describes how states use cultural institutions to maintain power in capitalist societies.The music industry creates and promotes artists within clearly defined genres for example rock, rap etc.

These genres offer signifiers such as signs and symbols that send out a specific message, relating to race and gender identities.

Britney spears raises interesting issues regarding female identity in pop music, initially viewed as a role model for the teen girl market, from a gender perspective Britney's identity is placed securely within a male dominated industry that manufactures limited steryotypes of femininity.

In Britney's early video's Britney was surrounded by girlie iconography bedroom culture dolls dressing up with friends, going out together and putting on make up. Teen pig tales complete her image, and choreographed dance routines create the desire to be part of her gang.

Spears' music video 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' was released in 1998, however in this video she is being sexualised in her skimpy school girl outfit.


In my opinion this music video is not empowering to women i can see why one could argue differently however i do not think that a women being half naked is empowering it is sexualising her and the dance moves she is doing are very revealing. she also holds on to a pole a lot and dances next to it like pole dancing.
Britney's song and video narratives express teen girl identity the concerns and reflections constructed as a role model in "I'm not a girl not yet a women" 2001 from a film called 'Crossroads' in 2001 explores tensions of growing up and passage journey from childish innocence to the realities of adult life.

I think that she is very sexually exploited in this video through the costume not so much the dance routine. The Costume is a red (sexual colour)  tight leather jumpsuit.