Star effect lyric videos are everywhere on Reels and Shorts right now. The sparkle overlay on top of a photo and lyrics gives a simple edit a dreamy, cinematic look. My followers asked me to try this trending effect, so I made it in both CapCut and Alight Motion. My first edit took me about 30 minutes. In this guide, I'll show both ways and explain which one I prefer.
CapCut or Alight Motion: which should you use?
CapCut is the quicker option. It has a built-in star effect, so you can apply it in a few taps. The downside is that you have to adjust everything by hand, and some effects are not available in every region or app version.
Alight Motion takes a little more setup, but it gives you more control over layers, keyframes, and animation. It also lets you reuse one project file for many videos, because you only swap the photos. That is why I prefer it for trending edits.
In my case, the star effect in CapCut did not always load, and it worked only some of the time. Alight Motion was more reliable, and I could reuse the same project for every photo. That is why I use it for trending edits.
What you'll need
- CapCut or Alight Motion, installed from the official Play Store or App Store
- 3-4 photos you have permission to use
- A song you have the right to use
- A star overlay video with a solid blue or green background (for the Alight Motion method). Use a royalty-free one.
- Free fonts, for example from Google Fonts
Method 1: Star effect in CapCut
- Open CapCut and import your photos and song.
- Add your lyrics as text layers and place them on the beats.
- Tap Effects, then Video Effects.
- Search for "Star" in the search bar.
- Choose the star effect you like and extend it across the clip.
- Play it back and adjust the length to match the beat.
If you can't find the effect, update the app and check again. Availability can vary by region and version.
Method 2: Star effect in Alight Motion
This method uses an overlay video and the Chroma Key tool to remove its background, so only the stars stay visible on top of your photo.
Step 1: Set up your photos and lyrics
Open a new project, or your own saved project file if you already have one. Add your photos in order and place your lyrics as text layers. If you are using a saved project, you can replace each photo from the media panel without redoing the animation.
Step 2: Add the star overlay
- Go to the point where the first photo starts.
- Add the star overlay video as a new layer, above the photo and text.
- Extend the overlay across the length of the photo.
Step 3: Remove the overlay background with Chroma Key
- Select the overlay layer and open Effects.
- Tap Add Effect and choose Chroma Key.
- Tap Key Color, then tap the pencil (eyedropper) icon.
- Place the picker on the background color of the overlay,
I used a blue star overlay, so I picked the blue color as the key color. The background disappears and only the stars remain. If the edges look rough, adjust the chroma key values slightly until the stars look clean.
Step 4: Adjust the size
Reduce the overlay size a little so the stars sit nicely over the photo instead of covering it. Play it back and check that the stars and lyrics move together without blocking each other. When I first added the overlay, it covered too much of the photo, so I reduced the size a little. After that, the stars and lyrics looked balanced.
Step 5: Repeat for the other photos
Copy the overlay layer and paste it at the start of each photo. You don't need to apply chroma key again, because the copied layer keeps the effect.
Optional: add animation
If you want extra movement, add keyframes to the photo or text. For example, set a small zoom or slide from the start to the end of each photo. Keep it subtle, because the star overlay already adds a lot of motion.
Common problems and fixes
- A colored box stays behind the stars. The key color was not picked exactly. Pick it again from a clean area of the overlay.
- The stars hide the lyrics. Move the overlay layer below the text layer.
- The effect looks too heavy. Lower the overlay opacity or size.
- I can't find the star effect in CapCut. Update the app, or use the Alight Motion method with an overlay video.
- The edges of the stars look rough. Use a higher-quality overlay with a clean solid background.
Tips for better results
- Pick photos with a clear subject and a simple background, so the stars stand out.
- Match the text color to the star color for a clean look.
- Keep the lyric lines short and aligned with the beat.
- Save your project after the first photo, then duplicate it for the rest.
A note on music, overlays, and photos
If you post your video online, make sure you are allowed to use the song, or choose royalty-free music, because platforms may mute or remove videos otherwise. Use overlays and fonts only from sources that allow free use, and only use photos of people who have agreed to it.
Star Template & Fonts