Pop music as a genre seems to have an ever-changing definition. With the constant rise of new pop stars, who gets to be defined as a “main pop girl”?

Pop music was a term coined in the ‘50s with artists like Elvis Presley who created upbeat, catchy songs that appealed to the masses, said Emre Kabasakal on Medium. Then came The Beatles, who turned the music industry into a pop-dominated one. 

Unlike the male-dominated music industry of the mid-century, pop is a genre fronted mostly by women today. The songs still consist of catchy lyrics and tunes, but seem to attract a bigger female fan base. 

Before the ‘80s, the pop stars that we think of today hadn’t really come to be yet. Typical pop stars only started to appear after, with artists like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, and continued into the ‘90s and early 2000s with the Spice Girls and Britney Spears. 

Today, the media concerns itself with the “main pop girls,” the members of which are constantly up for debate. Many people’s lists include a few common names such as Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae and Billie Eilish. So, what makes these girls the “main” pop stars of today?

First, we can break down their sound. Most of them have a relatively similar sound, each with a formula for upbeat songs that just seem to get stuck in your head. Though, this isn’t to say that each of them don’t have an aesthetic that’s unique to them. 

Another thing that comes to mind when thinking of pop stars is their stage presence. A lot of the “main pop girls” have a stage presence that brings fans in. For example, Sabrina Carpenter has memorable dance routines for certain songs, especially her poses for her song “Juno.” But can you be a main pop girl without fitting into this showgirl box? 

Chappell Roan is an example of an artist that many people are beginning to consider one of the main pop girls. Her music fits the genre, but her stage presence is something that a lot of other pop artists aren’t doing. Her outfits are extremely dramatic, and are inspired by drag queens and drag art, said Renan Botelho on Women’s Wear Daily.

It seems that lately, though, to even be considered a pop artist you have to be one of the “main girls.” If you even try to suggest that your favorite is a big name in pop music, it earns you an argument in a TikTok comment section. So, why are we gatekeeping the title of being a “main pop girl?” 

For some, it could just mean preserving the sanctity of their top artists, and not wanting to make room for others in that bubble. For others, some pop artists just might not have that “star quality” that many people look for in a pop star, but what exactly constitutes that quality?

Sarah Gaboury of Real Actor’s Lab defines star quality as “simply presence,” meaning that if someone is simply just present in their work or on stage, it automatically draws other people to them. This quality can definitely be seen in any of the main pop girls, and it justifies why people immediately put them at the top.

Talent is also a big part of being a pop star. This is especially true for performing live, as many people breaking into the pop scene are also incorporating dance and extravagant production value into their performances. 

With the recent Grammys performances, people began to take notice of some of the varying levels of talent displayed by the performing artists. Addison Rae, a TikTok influencer turned pop artist, put on a performance at the Grammys that many found lackluster. 

A TikTok video posted of the performance on Entertainment Tonight garnered hundreds of negative comments about her performance, including people wishing that she had lip synced instead of attempting to sing clearly live. 

People also have been comparing Addison Rae to pop girl group Katseye, whose performances have been praised for showing off the girls’ vocal and technical talent through their dancing. Although many people may disagree on their levels of lyrical talent, they are still favorites among pop music fans who love a catchy tune and a confident singer.

Although the definition of pop music has changed over the decades, it still remains the most popular genre of music for its melodies that stick with almost everyone. Pop stars have been defined under strict guidelines in the past, with a certain way they should dress or act. Now, the thing that defines a pop star is becoming more ambiguous, allowing for more room in the pop genre for future main pop girls, as long as social media allows it.