What qualities do you look for in a pop star?

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Obviously musical/singing ability is required (well, most of the time) but what else?

- Eccentricity?
- Frivolousness?
- Dancing ability?
- Number of white towels in their rider?
- Appearing on Saturday morning kids' telly/Christmas specials?

Phrasing the question slightly differently: What makes you think an artist is 'pop'?

Comments

[koganbot]

Can fans create stars out of people who wouldn't have had a star personality if their fans hadn't forced a starring role on them? I'm thinking that the constant talk about Kara from me and skyecaptain and girlboymusic makes her into a star, at least for the three of us, even if Kara herself prefers to work behind the scenes. But also, Kara is good-looking enough that she's a natural magnet for writers and entertainment television reporters who want to do a segment on a Pop Songwriter.

[koganbot]

Seems to me that John Shanks and Max Martin are more crucial songwriters/producers than Kara DioGuardi is, but no one is projecting love and hate their way, hence no "stardom." Maybe a good auteurist account of their work would help us to locate the star quality in Shanks and Martin.