Pill-popping pop star in soldier's canteen, topless, bringing joy (10)

'joy' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'pill-popping pop star in soldier's canteen topless' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'pill' could be 'e' (ecstasy) and 'e' is found within the answer.
'pop' could be 'in' (both can mean popular) and 'in' is present in the answer.
'star' could be 'cher' (I have seen 'Moonstruck star' mean 'cher' so perhaps 'star' could also mean 'cher') and 'cher' is found within the leftover letters.
The remaining letters 'ess' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'bringing' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?