Making hits depends more upon finding (or writing) the right song, getting the right producer or band, telling the right story (through your interviews or your videos or even your clothes), creating the right persona. For any pop star, the trick is to sing songs that can survive the distorting effects of popularity itself: songs that fans can adopt and warp to suit their own perceptions. 'American Idol,' Zootopia, and the Real Ingredients of Pop Success | 
