Crossword Genius

Performer at the top or scoundrels rising to it (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

star

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'performer' is the definition.
(I know that star is a type of performer)

'the top or scoundrels rising to it' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
'it' could be 'sa' (old-fashioned abbreviation for sex appeal) and 'sa' is found in the leftover letters.
A single letter 'r' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'at' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for star that I've seen before include "Shiner" , "huge body of gas?" , "Celebrated performer" , "Polaris, possibly" , "Celebrity - shining light" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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