Lockwood and Kunda explore how superstars influence self-perceptions, emphasizing that their impact depends on perceived relevance and attainability. Superstars are most influential when their success is seen as relevant to the self. If their success seems attainable, they inspire and enhance self-view, as participants believe they can achieve similar success. Conversely, if their success seems unattainable, they may lead to self-deflation. The authors argue that relevance is determined by similarity between the self and the superstar, while attainability depends on whether the superstar's success is seen as achievable. The study highlights that superstars can be inspirational when their achievements are relevant and attainable, but demoralizing when they are not. This is supported by findings from two experiments. In Study 1, future teachers and accountants were exposed to descriptions of outstanding teachers and accountants. Those exposed to relevant superstars (e.g., a teacher for future teachers) rated themselves more positively than those exposed to irrelevant superstars. In Study 2, first-year and fourth-year accounting students were exposed to a stellar graduating student. First-year students, seeing the student's success as attainable, were inspired and self-enhanced, while fourth-year students, viewing the student's success as unattainable, were deflated. The authors suggest that the impact of superstars is influenced by both relevance and perceived attainability. When a superstar's success is relevant and attainable, it inspires and enhances self-perceptions. When it is irrelevant or unattainable, it may lead to self-deflation. The study underscores the importance of context in determining how superstars affect self-perceptions, highlighting the need for further research into the mechanisms underlying these effects.Lockwood and Kunda explore how superstars influence self-perceptions, emphasizing that their impact depends on perceived relevance and attainability. Superstars are most influential when their success is seen as relevant to the self. If their success seems attainable, they inspire and enhance self-view, as participants believe they can achieve similar success. Conversely, if their success seems unattainable, they may lead to self-deflation. The authors argue that relevance is determined by similarity between the self and the superstar, while attainability depends on whether the superstar's success is seen as achievable. The study highlights that superstars can be inspirational when their achievements are relevant and attainable, but demoralizing when they are not. This is supported by findings from two experiments. In Study 1, future teachers and accountants were exposed to descriptions of outstanding teachers and accountants. Those exposed to relevant superstars (e.g., a teacher for future teachers) rated themselves more positively than those exposed to irrelevant superstars. In Study 2, first-year and fourth-year accounting students were exposed to a stellar graduating student. First-year students, seeing the student's success as attainable, were inspired and self-enhanced, while fourth-year students, viewing the student's success as unattainable, were deflated. The authors suggest that the impact of superstars is influenced by both relevance and perceived attainability. When a superstar's success is relevant and attainable, it inspires and enhances self-perceptions. When it is irrelevant or unattainable, it may lead to self-deflation. The study underscores the importance of context in determining how superstars affect self-perceptions, highlighting the need for further research into the mechanisms underlying these effects.