Research: Star Image

'Star Image'

What is 'Star Image'?

Star image is the way an artist is represented to the audience. The most effective way to do this is through music videos as this can be reached to a mainstream and international audience. Music videos can express star image due to it being a visual platform and can make it easy for the audience to identify a different ideologies and a clear understanding of a stars image in the music video.

Throughout this research, I am going to express Michael Jackson, 'The King of Pop's' star image which had various changes through his career.

'The Jackson Brothers/5'

In 1964, the Jackson Brothers recruited their youngest sibling, Michael Jackson to their group to become a back up singer and musicians. After Michael started sharing leading vocal with his brother the group then officially changed their name to 'The Jackson 5'. This was the very beginning to Michael Jackson's stardom which his career jumpstarted accompanied by his 4 brothers in a American pop group. Michael Jackson being the youngest of the group, was also the star image of their group due to his lead singer role and also being the most favoured by audiences due to him being 'cute' and favoured by audiences. The star image of Michael Jackson here was starting to be identified through the group number 1 hit singles including 'I Want You Back' & 'lll Be There'. 

Michael Jackson's teen life; Still in 'Jackson 5'...

The group then signed with Epic Record Label and became 'The Jacksons'. During late 70s and early 80's the Jackson success continued through 6 more number hit records and also with the solo act of Michael being starred in the 1978 African American remake of 'The Wiz' which created a wider audience for Michael Jacksons name itself. Michael's solo career was taking off as he was working with legendary Quincy Jones and help create his own number 1 hit records including ' Don't Stop Till You Get Enough'.

Michael Jackson 'Thriller'

Michael, still not having officially left 'The Jacksons' he went on with his solo career to create a short film/music video for his song 1982 'Thriller' which became part of 'The Best Selling Album of All Time'. This short film set a legendary mark on the industry due to the unique idea at the time of creating a short filmed concept to a music video. This by itself won Michael 7 Grammy's and 8 American Music Awards. Michaels star image by himself was skyrocketing with the 'Thriller' album due Michael taking music videos to the next level, other hit songs such as 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It' and also a duet with Paul McCartney who was also a top star at the time. From the Thriller music video itself, Michael has created an image for himself which audience can identify him as the zombie transforming star.

Michael Jackson and plastic surgery...

In 1983, Michael Jackson reunited with his brothers on a live television performance which everyone was able to see that Michael was clearly the one who stood out from his brothers and had the most star image. His 'star image' was then immensely boosted through another breakthrough and legendary mark on the music and even dance world with his debut of his traid mark dance move 'The Moonwalk'. There were then Michael Jackson rumours of MJ's hair lighting on fire and news spreaded that his hair actually did light on fire when shooting a Pepsi commercial with his brothers. His recovery included some plastic surgery which was said to be that Michael had an immediate addiction to plastic surgery which audiences saw a clear difference in his skin and looks.

Michael Jackson accusations...

During the mid 1980's Michael Jackson's appearance was just the start of the public criticising his name. Later on, during the late 90s and early 2000s, cases of pedophilia were turned against him which one of these accusations are a very mainstream rumour due to him buying property and creating 'Never Land Ranch'. Rumours such as 'MJ made this theme park to lure little children to him' were made against Michael which made some audiences turn against their interest in his name. There were also leaked pictures of Michael holding a baby over a balcony which also made audiences see him as a bad influence on younger generations. Although MJ was at a diminished time of his career, he was still releasing hit songs to to keep up his image. The releasing of these songs helped take away the idea of negative accusations from his name which is a method used in the music industry to increase star image.

His uprising...

In the late 90's and beginning of 2000's MJ's negative views to his name were starting to fade away and he was still releasing hit songs which were at the top of all charts. These songs included 'Earth Song' and also the release of his 'Bad' album in 1997 which was such a huge success, not bigger than 'Thriller' but was one of the most hyped albums at the time with several number 1 singles. This uprise made all audiences all over the world realise again his name and that he is still 'The Top Artist'. The industry, loyal fans and even other mainstream artists were also starting to realise which lead on to labelling MJ as 'MJ, The King of Pop'. 

Conclusion:

As we can now see, star image can vary/differ throughout the years in an artists career and Michael Jackson is a clear example of this. His ups and downs in his career can be very similar and relatable to other mainstream and successful artists such as Chris Brown, Beyonce, Jay Z, Britney Spears, Kyle Minogue, Usher etc. Star image is either seen immediately or can be created through various methods of constructing an artist so they can break records and have success in the industry.