Analysing Star Image in Music videos: Lorde - Royals (Pop genre)

In Lorde's music video for her debut single 'Royals' the main message she is sending out with the lyrics and footage is normality. The star image that represents Lorde is that of a normal understated teen, who enjoys living the normal life of a teenager, and is not interested in an extravagant life. Obviously this contradicts the fact that the song itself and the industry she has chosen to enter and gain success in will give her the complete opposite, the song allows the audience of teenagers to relate and feel like they are 'just like Lorde', as she lives this 'normal life' and does not want the famous extravagant life that does not seem feasibly achievable for young teens listening to her music.

Lorde presents herself with a very authentic, raw, simple, understated and organic look. Her make up is rather understated, especially in contrast with other stars in the same industry. Her clothing is also not too 'out there' and is similar to what most other teens would wear. Lorde is also still a teen herself at  age 17, making her even more relatable to her audience.

The video has two different elements, a narrative, and a performance. The performance consists of a stripped down simple close up shot of Lorde singing to the camera, this cuts to and from the narrative, which follows the life of 3/4 male teenagers, living the life she explains through her lyrics, understated and not extravagant. They look quite 'rough', this is conveyed by them shaving their heads and fighting. It is also shown that they are not from a wealthy background, in very ordinary clothes  and in very ordinary settings, such as on the train and on basketball courts. However, there are also very artistic and abstract shots, such as the teens submerged in rain or abstract shots of different areas of the house, suggesting that she is rather alternative/unique and not the generic 17 year old pop singer, instead an edgy unique 17 year old musician making respectable music.