What Pop Stars Teach Us About Personal Branding
Pop stars aren’t just celebrities…they’re personal branding experts! And as entrepreneurs, we can learn a lot from how they show up, connect with their audiences, and evolve over time!
As someone who celebrates individual energy and authenticity, I’m breaking down what eight pop stars teach us about creating an impactful brand.
1. Taylor Swift: Embracing Change
Lesson: You can evolve without losing who you are.
If you know me, it’s no surprise that Taylor is at the top of my list (I’m a loyal Swiftie and have been since the start!). I love that she’s not afraid to evolve (like when she went from country to pop to indie-folk). But even with these changes, her personal branding has always centered on relatability, authentic emotion, and easter eggs for fans to engage with. Plus, her “Eras” are a true masterclass in branding! Each one is intentional and consistent – sound, color palette, merch, tour, messaging. That’s how it’s done!
Takeaway for entrepreneurs: Your brand can grow with you. Keep your core values, but give your audience new chapters to fall in love with!
2. Olivia Rodrigo: Owning a Mood
Lesson: Your vibe is your brand.
Ever since Olivia left Disney, she has nailed the angsty, honest teen/young adult energy from album art to tour aesthetic. Her personal branding taps into emotions, aesthetics, and even gen Z humor. It all works so well together, down to fonts and photo content (have you seen the album covers of SOUR and GUTS?!).
Takeaway for entrepreneurs: When you lean into a specific emotional tone or “vibe,” you create magnetic brand recognition and your people will feel seen!
3. Sabrina Carpenter: Persistence Pays
Lesson: Don’t be afraid to put in the hard work and let your personality shine!
Sabrina’s rise to fame came from being undeniably herself from saucy lyrics, playful content, iconic fashion choices (hello, tights and mini dresses!). But it didn’t happen overnight. Sabrina worked in the music industry for over a decade before her music became mainstream! Once she found the perfect personal branding strategy by leaning into femininity and nostalgia, she found a way to shine in a world full of pop stars!
Takeaway for entrepreneurs: Finding what works for you is hard work, but quirks and personal style make you memorable! Embrace what feels most like you even if it’s unconventional!
4. Chappell Roan: Strong Visual Identity
Lesson: A strong visual identity that authentically reflects who you are builds emotional connection.
Chappell Roan became a name we recognized in the music scene last year, making an entrance with her full faces of makeup and flashy, over-the-top (bring on the color!) outfits. Like Sabrina, Chappell had been making music professionally for almost a decade, but had yet to make it big. By leaning into her true self, Chappell has made a total impression that we aren’t likely to forget!
Takeaway for entrepreneurs: Choose visuals (colors, lighting, design, style) that sparks emotion by being an extension of your voice!
5. Billie Eilish: Doing Things Differently
Lesson: Brand boldly by breaking the rules.
Breakdown: Billie built her personal brand on anti-pop-star vibes: oversized clothes, moody tones, whisper vocals, and neon hair. By doing this, she showed that there’s power in contrast and confidence in not fitting the mold! There’s no way you’d mistake a Billie Eilish album for a Sabrina Charpentier album, which means both of their branding is doing exactly what it should be doing!
Takeaway for entrepreneurs: You don’t need to follow every trend. When you own what makes your brand unique, your audience trusts and connects with you more deeply.
6. Gracie Abrams: Intimacy Builds Loyalty
Lesson: Quiet confidence and emotional honesty are a brand.
Breakdown: Gracie’s personal brand feels like a journal entry. It’s soft, raw, and super intentional. From her lyrics to her content, everything feels like it was made just for you. Her storytelling builds trust because you feel like she gets you and that emotional intimacy leads to long-term fans! It feels deeply personal, like she’s letting her audience in!
Takeaway for entrepreneurs: You don’t need to shout to be heard! If you create honest, heartfelt content and show up authentically, you’ll build a loyal audience who feels seen and safe with your brand!
7. Beyoncé: Excellence Is the Brand
Lesson: Deliver such high-quality work that your name becomes the brand.
Breakdown: Beyoncé rarely announces — she simply arrives (am I right?!). Her surprise drops (think Beyoncé and Lemonade) prove that when your personal brand is built on trust, quality, and consistency, your audience shows up, no matter what. Beyoncé has been in the music industry for nearly three decades (how is that possible?!). Over the years, she has built a legacy that has kept her relevant far longer than most pop stars!
Takeaway for entrepreneurs: You don’t always have to be the loudest or most visible. If your work speaks volumes, your reputation becomes your brand!
8. Miley Cyrus: Unapologetic Reinvention
Lesson: Your brand can evolve and so can you. The key is to be unapologetically aligned with where you are now.
To say Miley’s sound, appearance, and attitude have changed over the years may be an understatement but there’s nothing wrong with some change! From the wholesome Hannah Montana to the rebellious Bangerz to the rock-country powerhouse Endless Summer Vacation, Miley has embraced every stage of her life. She doesn’t wait for permission to change…she just lets the world catch up!
Takeaway for entrepreneurs: Your brand doesn’t need to stay in one lane to be consistent – it just needs to stay true. When you show up honestly and boldly, you give your audience permission to grow with you and that creates lifelong brand!
To Wrap It All Up…
Your brand doesn’t need to be for everyone – it just has to speak to your ideal audience! Not everyone loves Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, or Billie Eilish, and that’s okay. They’ve all mastered the art of connecting to their fans. The magic happens when you stop trying to “be everything” and start showing up as the one thing your audience needs: you.
Mic drop 🎤
Feeling inspired by these celeb lessons in personal branding? Check out how a personal brand shoot could help take your business to the next level in What Is Personal Brand Photography and Is It Worth It?
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
I’m Marissa, your bubbly brand photographer and the owner of Evermore Place, a studio in Southern Maine. My goal is so much bigger than just taking pretty photos (though I’ll do that too!). Your brand is your story, and my job is to capture it in the most genuine way.
Here at Marissa Elise Photography, I love helping business owners confidently show off (as they should!) with elevated brand images.
I’d love to meet you & learn all about your business. Let’s chat!
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