It kinda does, because guys get bigger over/momentum bonuses from high rated segments if the game feels they're the star of it or at least looked better than was expected I'm pretty sure. Keep strong doesn't work so great as you said (in fact I think it hurts them if they're winning because my experience is that note almost always lowers the segment rating and lower segment ratings give you less popularity bonus) but if they've got a bunch of miscellaneous bonuses like morale, charisma/star quality, momentum, gimmick working heavily for them their "relative contribution" to the segment can catch them up to the other more over guys.
Of course it's probably easier if you're in a less over based fed too as the game will care more about their performance skills when determining the star (at least I'm pretty sure) but yeah.
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No problem!
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