As depicted through the arduous journey of Ally Campana (Lady Gaga) in the 2018 remake “A Star Is Born,” the road to pop stardom certainly isn’t easy—but it is possible for the talented (and lucky!) few. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the process of becoming a pop star, from working on your voice to shameless self-promotion.
A pop star is someone who has made it to the highest levels of celebrity in the mainstream music industry, achieving widespread recognition and influence. Famous pop stars typically have a massive fan base, like Beyoncé’s BeyHive; dominate charts, like Billie Eilish; and appear in the media constantly, like Taylor Swift. Beyond their vocal talents, pop stars are known for their image, brand, and ability to tap into what people want to hear, see, and feel.
It’s about being a complete package: music, style, personality, and influence. Icons in the industry have perfected the art of being both the artist and the personality whom people connect with. Their music is just the start.
How to Become a Famous Singer
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Reaching pop star status is a marathon, not a sprint. So, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started on the long road ahead.
1. Develop your talent.
You first need to hone your singing and songwriting skills. Building a strong foundation is key, whether you’re self-taught or working with a vocal coach. While not every pop star writes their own music, those who do often connect more deeply with their audience.
2. Build your brand.
Your image is crucial, so strive to stand out by creating a powerful personal brand. Start by thinking about how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you and build from there. Is your brand centered around sex appeal and killer dance moves, like Tate McRae? Is it a girl-next-door persona, like Blackpink’s Jisoo? Or how about an existential partier vibe, like The Weeknd? Once you’ve finagled your brand, start incorporating it into your music, public image, and social media identity.
3. Record your music.
After identifying your sound and brand, it’s time to start recording your songs. If you’re not yet signed, you’ll need to ensure your audio sounds professional on your own.
- Professional studio rentals such as the Timeless Recording Studio, Pirate, or Peerspace let you pay by the hour for top-of-the-line spaces and gear.
- A home studio may be an option if you have the funds and time to create your own using our comprehensive guide (it’s aimed at voiceover artists but still applies to singers!).
- Online song recorders like Reverb, Soundtrap, and Audiotool help you record and produce music, right in your browser.
- Apps like Voloco, BandLab, and GarageBand similarly let you record on your phone or laptop.
You’ll likely want to record several songs for public release as well as at least one demo to pitch to producers, publishers, and record labels.
4. Release your music.
Get your music out there on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, TikTok, and YouTube. If it feels too time-consuming to put your songs on each platform individually, music distribution services like TuneCore and DistroKid can help get your music out on every platform all in one go.
5. Perform live.
Live performances allow you to work on your stage presence, dancing, and ability to connect with the crowd—all key to becoming a pop star.
- Local venues often offer open mic nights, showcases, and other performance opportunities. Even karaoke is a great way to get some live shows under your belt.
- Casting calls like those found on our comprehensive singing auditions database get you heard (and paid!).
6. Submit to record labels.
Record labels offer built-in marketing and promotions that can help next-level your stardom. While signing with a major label may be an aspiration, indie labels are also a great way to get your music heard.
- Major labels or the “big three”—Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group (and their imprints and sublabels)—don’t accept unsolicited submissions, so you’ll need representation (a talent agent, manager, producer, or even a radio DJ) for them to receive your demo.
- Indie labels like Captured Tracks and Eenie Meenie Records accept unsolicited demo submissions.
7. Get discovered.
Going from local talent to a global star is tough without help, so try connecting with people who can help you rise to true stardom.
- Network at industry conventions such as NAMM, AIMP, Ditto X, and Music Biz.
- Audition for networks like Disney that are known to propel performers to pop stardom.
- Seek representation by reaching out to talent agencies, managers, and producers.
- Collaborate with other musicians to further grow your network and audience.
- Try out for singing competitions like We Sing Pop!, “American Idol,” and “The Voice” that can launch careers (just look to Kelly Clarkson or Jennifer Hudson). Even smaller competitions can help get your name out there.
8. Keep the hype going.
With music and performance skills in place, focus on consistent branding, PR, and networking. Engage with your fans on social media, using relevant hashtags like #popmusic, #pop, #newmusic, #newsong, #singer, and #musician. Keep performing, posting, and collaborating with influencers and other artists to expand your reach.
Let’s face it: The chances of finding mainstream success as a pop star are slim. A 2023 survey by artist development platform Xposure showed that only 11% of independent musicians earn enough to make a living. Of that number, fewer than 1% achieve notable success in the industry, according to music data company Chartmetric.
Only a small fraction of performers ever become famous—but while the odds are stacked, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It’s all about perseverance, talent, and having a bit of luck on your side.
Is trying to become a pop star a worthwhile goal?
This is a tough question. If you’re in it for fame and fortune, it might not be the most realistic or healthy goal to pursue. However, if you’re passionate about music, love performing, and can’t imagine doing anything else, then striving to become a pop star may be the perfect pursuit for you.
Before you dive in, remember that it’s not all glitz and glamour. The lifestyle of a pop star can be demanding, and the pressure to maintain an image and stay relevant is real. But for those who truly love the art of performance, there are few things more fulfilling than seeing your hard work pay off.
In the end, becoming a pop star is about more than just the fame; it’s about following your passion and making a lasting impact on the world through music. If that’s something you’re willing to work tirelessly toward, it could very well be worth the journey.