“Star”: A New Musical Drama About the Rise of Aspiring Stars
A new series centered around music and the journey of emerging stars is making its debut. While the plot may rely on familiar tropes, the musical and dance performances are truly captivating.
The story follows Star, a young and talented singer who feels stifled in her small-town surroundings. Her sister, Simone, is desperate to escape her abusive foster family. Alexandra, a beautiful aspiring artist, longs to break free from her father’s control and perform her own songs. Together, the three girls flee to Atlanta, where they find themselves under the wing of Carlotta Brown, a former pop star who now owns a beauty salon. Their initial attempts at success are met with setbacks, but the determined trio refuses to give up, seizing every opportunity to shine.
Fox has commissioned thirteen episodes of “Star,” but the premiere has been pushed to January. However, viewers have been given a sneak peek with a special preview episode.
Those who closely follow the American television landscape know the importance of a strong launch for new projects. Networks often give their most promising shows the best time slots, support from popular long-running series, and clever marketing strategies. The way Fox is presenting “Star” suggests that they are hoping to create a lasting connection with audiences through music.
A Promising Start
The pilot episode of “Star” aired immediately after the mid-season finale of “Empire,” a flagship show for the network. “Star” not only continues the musical theme but also has the backing of Lee Daniels, the director who helped launch “Empire.” However, “Star” explores a different facet of the industry. While the Lyon family in “Empire” is fighting to protect their established empire, Star and her friends are just beginning to build theirs.
Jude Demorest, who plays Star Davis, is not only an actress but also a successful songwriter. Some of her songs, including those performed by Fifth Harmony, have topped the charts.
In many ways, “Star” resembles countless shows about young women who leave their humble beginnings to conquer a big city, capital, industry, or the world, only to face the harsh realities of greed, betrayal, and cruelty. One might be tempted to dismiss this show, especially considering its Atlanta setting, lack of established stars, and focus on African-American characters. However, “Star” possesses a key strength that could ensure its longevity: its music.
The Power of Music
The “magic wand” of “Star” is, unsurprisingly, its music. The show has invested heavily in this aspect, casting a lead actress who is a promising singer. The pilot episode features three well-produced and contemporary songs that have the potential to climb the charts. These songs are accompanied by engaging choreography. “Star” is more than just a story about “three broke girls”; it’s a musical drama that heavily emphasizes its sound and dance elements.
The catchy music can help viewers overlook the somewhat predictable plotlines, such as a murder that occurs early in the series, a forced romantic subplot, and a contrived encounter between two old rivals. While some of the acting may be uneven, particularly Brittany O’Grady’s portrayal of Simone, and the show leans heavily towards a “black” audience, as “Empire” does, we have only seen a glimpse of what “Star” has to offer. However, that glimpse is promising. The series features attractive young women, Queen Latifah returns to her role as a tough-talking aunt, Lenny Kravitz makes a cameo, and the previews for future episodes are filled with dazzling dance numbers. The show certainly has potential.
A Few Shortcomings
One minor drawback is that, despite Lee Daniels’ involvement as a writer and director of the first episode, the pilot lacks the qualities that have made him a critical and audience favorite. “Star” is too soft, kind, and gentle towards its characters by Daniels’ standards. We appreciate the director for his harshness and even cruelty, but here he seems to have developed a paternal love for everyone. Hopefully, Star, Simone, and Alex will face more challenges in the future. Otherwise, it will be difficult to truly care about their journeys.