Geoff Dyer's Star Image Theory

Geoff Dyer's Theory

The star is a real person
 Stars have aspects about them that make them seem 'real' to the audience and they feel they can relate to the star.

A star is a performer of public roles
The primary way that we encounter with stars through the roles they play, usually on television.

The star is a persona
 This is the merging of the star  ( the real person) with the roles that they play and take on.

A star is an image
The star is only sees the image of the star that has been created.

 An example of this is Cherly Cole:

The star is a real person
 Cheryl Cole is from a large single parent family  from a run down estate in Newcastle. She comes from a working class background.
She changed from Cheryl Tweedy to Cheryl cole. It wasn't an easy transformation and involved a lot of professionals - Girls Aloud management, Pr Companies, Music Video Directors, Xenomania (song writing and production team), wardrobe and make-up consultants.



 A star is a performer of public roles
Cheryl Cole is seen on the Tv quite often, but not always her performing.









The star is a persona
The roles that Cheryl Cole takes on and plays. She often takes on the same roles to reinforce her publicity. She often appears in Fashion magazines, music videos, The X-factor and recently in the L'oreal adverts.


A star is an image
 Cheryl Cole has become a sign with certain qualities, specifically her gender and sexuality which easily appeals to a wide audience. She is set up as a contemporary object of desire.
She has become iconic and a 'brand'  that's instantly recognisable. Her image is maintained through the different forms of the media.