Most PoP stars are like a "packaged deal".
It's up to the production label to dictate how the star is gonna look, sing and act, even if the star does not have that kind of capability. So to make it as picture perfect as possible, the producers "package" the rest of the stuffs, the pop star just lend a 'face' for the camera.
Yes, there are pop stars who are really good, and all have that X factor. But rarely are they allowed to review their real talents.
Just like Faye Wong, who have to do evergreen covers & pop diddlies to get real famous, but her backgorund is actually in the alternative range.
And Yeah there are a lot of Pop singers who just plain cannot sing at all. Just a pretty face to grace the cover. They do hundreds of take, cut and paste, effects add in, high level post editing to give you that album. You can even tell if some of them don't even know how to use a microphone properly (Yeah, using a microphone is a skill too)
Most real singers are in the background working hard to make a living and some bar or clubs, but if you hear, you can instantly recognise one. Cause when their voice goes through the PA, you can feel the warmth and soul in the singing.
THAT'S LIVE MUSIC BABY!!!! :smt034