Star Construction:Ciara

By Aminatta Sylva 13H

BiographyCiara is an American R&B singer-song writer, dancer,producer, actress and fashion model; she was born CiaraPrincess Harris on October 25th 1985 to parents Jackieand Carlton Harris in Austin, Texas. Her parents were fulltime military personnel; as a child she grew up inGermany, New-York, Utah, California, Arizona andNevada. It was during her teens her family moved toAtlanta Georgia., as she decided on music as a career.She graduated from Riverdale High school in RiverdaleGeorgia in 2003 and she was then signed by LaFaceRecords exec L.A Reid whom she was introduced to byJazze Pha; by writing her first successful song “Got MeWaiting” for R&B singer Fantasia Barrino’s debut albumFree Yourself in 2002.

Ciara and music

During her mid teens Ciara created a girl group formed out of two friends, the group recorded demos but at the end their differences arose and made the group split. She was determined to have a deal as a song-writer and her success came with the track “Got Me Waiting”; she met record producer Jazze Pha and he introduced her to LA Reid. By 2002 she recorded four demos; “1,2 Step” and others which were featured on her debut album in 2004. Her debut album Goodies was named after the hit track “Goodies”; this attracted the likes of Lil Jon and a remix of it was created.

Goodies was released on September 28 2004; it sold 124,750 copies on the first week and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart. The album was on the billboard 200 for seven weeks; it was certified three times platinum by the RIAA on October 2006. The album sold 3 million copies in the U.S by 2010. Goodies the lead single was conceived as a crunk female counterpart to Usher’s Yeah!. The song peaked in the top ten in many countries and went on to become Platinum or gold in many countries.

2006-2007Ciara: The Evolution was released on December5 2006 as her second album. This albumbecame Ciara’s first #1 album on the U.SBillboard 200 and second on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts with sales more than 338,00The album was certified platinum by the RIAA,within five weeks of its release it had sold 1.3million copies and two million copiesworldwide. The international lead single “GetUp” featuring Chamillionaire reached #7 in theU.S and gained a platinum accreditation. Thissong was used in Step Up and featured on thefilm’s soundtrack. The U.S lead single “Promise”reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 andbecame her third #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hopalbums chart. “Like A boy” was released as thesecond international single and it reached thetop twenty in U.K, France, Ireland, Sweden,Switzerland and also the U.S. She also debutedher acting in the MTV Films production AllYou’ve Got in May 2006.

2008-2011

Fantasy Ride was released as her third album in May2009. It became her first top ten album in the UK andCanada; it sold 193,00 copies. The album’s lead single“Never Ever” featuring Young Jeezy was released in theU.S in January 2009 and peaked #9 on the U.S HotR&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The second single “Love. Sex andmagic” featuring Justin Timberlake became a worldwidehit, peaking within the top ten in 20 countries; it wascertified platinum in Australia.

Basic Instinct was released on December 14 2010; it debuted#44 on the U.S Billboard 200 chart with its first week of sales of37,000 becoming her only album to not peak within the topthree. However, the lead single “Ride” which features Ludacrison the U.S Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart it reached #11. Themusic video also won the award for best dance performance atthe 2010 Soul Train Awards.In 2011 it was reported that Ciara was dropped from her recordlabel; Jive Records, but she managed to get signed on to L.AReid’s label Epic Records on September 2011.

2012-2013

Ciara was released July 9 2013; it debuted at #2 on the billboard 200 chart with the first week of sales of 59,000 copies in the U.S. The album was originally titled One Woman Army but it was changed after the album’s track list was released. Ciara also starred in two movies during this time; Mama, I want to sing! and That’s My Boy in 2012.

Ciara- present

Ciara is currently working on her sixth studio album “Jackie” ; the single “I Bet” featuring her then boyfriend Future was released on January 26th 2015.

Musical style and influencesCiara is known for her “breathy sopranovocals” and she has the ability to conveyonly three emotions; sad, sexy and sassy.Ciara’s music is generally contemporaryR&B but she incorporates elements ofHip-Hop, crunk, rap, dance-pop, electropop and funk into her songs. Her albumGoodies is said to be comparable to thelate singer Aaliyah.

Ciara cites Destiny’s child and Janet Jackson as her inspiration for singing and also Michael Jackson for her dancing. She also looks at Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, TLC, SWV and Salt-n-Pepper as influencers in her musical career.

FashionDuring Ciara’s career her fashion evolved as she matured; she went from loose jogging bottoms to tight and lustful clothing. The clothing that she wore in the early stages of her career established her as a dancer because it revealed her physique.As grew older she became a fashion icon through her choice of clothing. Her hair is worn long with middle or side parting, alongside with hoop earrings.

In 2009 Ciara became part of the modelling agency Wilhelmina Models in a multi-million dollar deal.

Social media presence- YouTube

This YouTube channel allows Ciara’s fans to watch her official music videos/ audio videos. The fans can also comment and communicate with other fans through his social media channel.

Twitter and Facebook

Ciara is a very active user of twitter and it is way of letting fans into her life; they get updates on what she is doing both in her professional and personal life. As the last tweet is about her 9 month old son, this appeals to the target audience because her fans will know more about her and her family through this social media channel.

Both Facebook and twitter pages have been set up to promote her new single “I Bet” and her Facebook page links her other artists that create the same genre of music as hers. It also allows her fans to directly buy music when browsing her social media platforms.

Instagram and official website

Ciara’s Instagram is just like any other Instagram user’s page; she shares her everyday with her fans; from fashion events to pictures of her son. This makes her appeal to a wider target audience because they get a clear insight into what the life of Ciara is like; fans can also send her pictures, messaging and comment on the pictures- this makes them feel included.

Her official website is strictly promoting her new single; “I bet”. It uses the album cover as a background and features a player that allows us listen/buy the single.