The star I will be analyzing is Hailey Williams from Alternative Rock band: Paramore. Williams found Paramore at age 13 and was signed to a production deal at age 14 by managers Dave Steunebrink and Richard Williams in 2003. Williams was introduced to Atlantic Records which signed her on planning to make her a solo pop artist. However, Williams refused to change her image and style and wanted to continue making Alternative Rock music with a band. The label decided to accept her wishes and the after adding two more members to the 3 member band, 'Paramore' became an official rock band. Originally, Williams music was supposed to come out via Atlantic records however, the labels marketing department decided it would be better for the image of the band, to not have them attached to a huge label. Williams success rapidly became greater after releasing Paramore's first official album; 'All we know is falling' in 2005. From then onwards Hailey William appeared on Kerrang! as well as music videos for other band such as New Found Glory, developing her popularity among the rock music culture. Paramore released two new albums including 'Riot!' and 'Brand new Eyes'.
In Paramore's first three videos; All we know, Emergency & Pressure, Hailey Williams is portrayed as a rebellious teenage musician. This is visible through mise-en-scene as well as gestures. Her ruby red hair and her bright printed T-shirts with classic denim jeans portrays her as a casual rebellious teenager making music. Her movement also portrays this as she moves energetically whilst head banging to her music. Hailey Williams is portrayed as a young rebellious teenager that wants to prove her point via music. In music videos such as Pressure Hailey is purely seen as a performer that looks at other people's story from the outside. However, in Emergency, Hailey is part of the narrative as well as the performance. In this video Hailey addresses problems with relationships and here, we see her as a victim of one of her topics rather than an artist looking at a situation from the outside. In this video her side fringe is visible ( a clear symbolism of Emo/rock sub-culture). Hailey is wearing a white muddy dress, pearl necklace and trainers. We see that she is portrayed as feminine but sub-verses the stereotype to again portray rebelliousness. Her white dress and pearl necklace that represents angelic innocence of a young female clashes with the mud on it, as well as the trainers reinforcing the fact that she is dressing in a certain way and it is a false exterior for who she really is. In pressure Hailey's hair cut is simple suggesting she is laid back and isn't image orientated clashing with the narrative of the video which is based on image. However,in Emergency we see progress suggesting she is growing up but trying to break free from societies expectations as a role model to her audience. Furthermore, in Emergency Hailey's hair is fiery red with brig
ht tips. I have already previously researched that members of Emo-subculture often change their hair colour/ styles and feel that their hair style must be unique as it participates greatly when it comes to their representation.
During Williams career her image developed along with the sub genre of her music. When Paramore's second album was released Hailey Williams image changed slightly. From wearing Baggy t-shirts and jeans (dressing like a tomboy) she began wearing bright coloured lipstick as well as skirts above the knees and vests that show off her figure. For example, in their song 'Misery business' from their album Riot! Hailey Williams is portrayed as more feminine however, we do see her rebellious image via her bright hair colour and movement whilst performing. Also, Hailey Williams eye makeup is more feminine and focused upon and in videos such as 'Crushcrushcrush' we see the artist as a feminine character. Her shoulder-less t-shirt, bracelets and dramatic feminine eye makeup suggests that she is developing and maturing as an artist. Her hair style is also longer in length and her hair isn't dead straight ( a style that is common amongst the Emo-subculture). We see that although the artist is maturing she is still rebellious because her performances consist of energetic movement and feisty facial expressions. Also, through out her career Hailey tends to look directly at the camera which is often at a high angle to make her look as if she is in control. In her video, Misery Business Hailey plays a character within the narrative towards the end where she 'defeats' the 'villain' within the video. Here, we are able to visualize her as a inspiring artist for many teenage girls that face bullying in schools. At this point, Hailey's orange/ red hair was her trademark and her hair style defined her as the lead singer of Paramore. Motifs such as printed t-shirts and orange hair have become associated with Hailey Williams as that is her basic outline. Also, the font used int he background of Misery Business has also become associated with the artist, as it is the font used on the title of their album: Riot!. Currently, Hailey has changed her image as she looks more mature. Her style matches the style of an Indie musician as she tends to wear dresses and feminine clothing rather than printed t-shirts and jeans. She is often viewed as an abstract piece of art rather than an artist for example, in her video Brick by boring brick or Playing God from her most recent album; Brand New Eyes. In her new album, Hailey's hair colour and style has changed which contrasts against her trademark style. With Hailey's first album her videos portray her as an artist viewing issues and themes from a distant and purely narrating them. However, in her second album she begins to involve herself with the narrative by appearing with it as well as showing performance with the band. But, her new album shows Hailey as an abstract icon that is seen as a model or actress rather than musician as her new videos lack performance based scenes where she is performing with the band.
There are many close-ups of Hailey Williams through out her work. This makes us develop a personal relationship with her via her music videos. This is clearly evident in many of her music videos including; Misery business, Pressure, Emergency, Crushcrushcrush, Brick by Boring Brick & Playing God. There are many close-ups of Hailey within all of the videos. However Hailey's trademark performance where she is energetic is not visible within her new videos. Although, she is part of a band we don't see their involvement and she comes across as a solo artist. Hailey's old videos from 2005 suggest that she is rebellious and powerful as there are many high angles which give her authority. Also, she sings directly to camera making us feel involved as an audience. Now, we see Hailey Williams as a mature, feminine, solo indie artist who is less rebellious. The record company attempt to sell the star via her physical appearance and clothing. Her dress sense immediately suggests what genre she belongs to and we are instantly aware of who she will appeal to as an artist.
The camera work and editing are used to develop the image of the star in many ways. For example, in her previous videos the editing would be done, to show quick paced shots mainly consisting of close-ups and mid-shots from high angles making the audience feel vulnerable as the lead singer is rebellious and in power. For example in Misery Business Hailey is portrayed as a rebellious lead singer that is energetic and the jump from shot to shot represents the energy. However, we can see that Hailey Williams has developed as a star and is seen as more mature making calmer music because her songs are slow paced along with the editing. The shots aren't rapid but are slow paced focusing on minute details. We see more full length shots of the artist from a normal angle to add realism yet keep distance from the audience and artist so they seem more iconic. For example, in Playing God Hayley seems to be calmer and reserved as the shots drag on reflecting her music and her new self.
In addition to this, the stars lyrics also develop from being based on topics that teenagers are aware of to more realistic subtle topics within the adult world. In 2010 Hayley Williams worked with Rap artists B.O.B and Eminem. This went against some expectations of fans as she became popular amongst the Hip-Hop music culture as well.
I believe that the star has wider cultural significance as she went from being popular within rock music to a popular artist. The star has ideological power in terms of her influence upon the audience as her dress sense and style may influence many fans to dress this way. She also has artistic power as her image develops through out her career from 2005 up to 2010. Hailey William's music videos appear to be more professional looking presumably because more money has been invested in them. This is due to economic power through earnings generated by the sales of products such as CD's. This has added to the abstract image of the singer making her look like a celebrity and icon rather than musician. Through out her music videos, especially her music videos from her first two albums, Hailey Williams has represented girl power as she is seen in a band full of boys leading them and subverting the stereotype of a vulnerable female. She is currently popular because female musicians today are seen as dominant within the media industry and the roles have switched over- (so they aren't just background dancers or singers).
In conclusion I believe that Hailey's star image hasn't drastically changed from genre to genre. It has changed from one sub-genre to another. In 2005 we see Hailey Williams as a naive and rebellious teenage musician whereas, in 2009 we see her as a mature musician addressing more serious topics. I believe that the genre of her music has slightly changed, but her star image has mainly changed via appearance and her presentation in her videos. Hailey's new music videos are seen as her star vehicle to portray her as a whole new mature artist.
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