What are the components of star identity?
In media studies we understand ‘stars’ through the semiotics approach. In this approach stars should be studied as clusters of signs, as systems of signifiers or texts that communicate meaning to a spectator.
These ‘star texts’ are obviously grounded in the lives of real human beings. Then the more complex process of ‘star construction’ takes over. Let’s try to answer the question: ‘Why is Cheryl Cole such a big star?’
The construction of the ‘star text’
Geoff Dyer in his book ‘Stars’ argues that star identities are constructed in a process that typically involves four modalities, or stages in their formation. Let’s use this approach to investigate the construction of Cheryl Cole’s star identity, in her unstoppable celebrity story. The shift in the media’s representation of Cole has been remarkable.
From a Geordie brawler and apprentice Posh Spice she has turned into a beloved young star, forever ‘in torment’ on weekly magazine covers but still able to tap limitless reserves of empathy. Over the past two years we have seen what Tom Ewing in The Guardian describes as the ‘Dianafication’ of Cole – Britain’s favourite wronged woman.
First of all a star is a real person. In any star study we are interested in the transformation of the ordinary and the...
