So-called cold dark matter [1] is the currently favored hypothesis. The Dark Star hypothesis additionally assumes that the CDM particles interact with each other even though they do not interact with baryonic ("normal") matter (other than via gravity). If they do, they'd be their own antiparticles and would annihilate on collisions. This process would produce the energy, in the form of ordinary photons, that powers the Dark Stars.
Like all proper scientific hypotheses, the DS hypothesis makes testable predictions, and now it appears that some relevant JWST observations support, or at least do not conflict with, the DS hypothesis. At the same time, the more mainstream model of protogalaxies and Population III stars [2] has some difficulties explaining the same observations. Of course, this is only very slight evidence in favor of the DS model, but that's science for you. Small steps.
Like all proper scientific hypotheses, the DS hypothesis makes testable predictions, and now it appears that some relevant JWST observations support, or at least do not conflict with, the DS hypothesis. At the same time, the more mainstream model of protogalaxies and Population III stars [2] has some difficulties explaining the same observations. Of course, this is only very slight evidence in favor of the DS model, but that's science for you. Small steps.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_dark_matter
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_population#Population_...