"STAR" By Petra Collins Is a Celebrity Fever Dream

Petra Collins returns with “STAR”, a new photobook launched with Rizzoli that presents a surreal and slightly horrific vision of celebrity and its obsessively adoring fanbase.

Presented as a surreal and slightly horrific picture of celebrities and their obsessively adoring fanbase, “STAR” takes a stylized look at fame and the pitfalls of today’s increasingly parasocial celebrity culture. 

“STAR” follows two fictional celebrity pop acts: Ashley, a student turned popstar, and Siren8, a girl group, as they come face to face with the glamour and terrors of stardom as women in an age when the cult of celebrity is strong, and privacy has become ever more elusive. Throughout the book, fanfare evolves from admiration to eventual obsession and brutality. Readers can observe as these scenes play out at both a distance and through a prying eye, similar to that of an obsessive fan. 

Collins, a photographer, artist, and director known for her dreamlike style, helped define the visual language of the 2010s and continues to influence fashion, art, and popular music. Her work with artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, and Billie Eilish informs the book’s perspective, which feels both intimate and critical. The project follows her 2021 photobook Fairy Tales, featuring Euphoria star Alexa Demie.

Collins has also announced a forthcoming feature film based on the same concepts and characters, along with an accompanying “STAR” soundtrack set for release in May, created with musician Jake Nadrich.

“STAR“ will celebrate its launch this weekend, April 18th, at Climax Books in New York City. Costumes are encouraged.