Miley Cyrus, what is wrong with your parents?
This news story really bothers me. It was one thing for Miley Cyrus to have a provacative picture of her taken for Vanity Fair by Annie Liebowitz. Some may call it artistic. I saw it then as just a mistake that Disney would quickly make right and restore Miley’s image of purity. Which is fair, considering that she’s 15.
Then this came out. She’s going to shed more than her image and break out in a film aimed at adults (not her usual 8-12 yr demographic), possibly/probably taking off her clothes and appearing nude, and she’s going to trend toward more adult music. Why? She already has more money than the entire US Southern states, and is a certifiable superstar in music and television (and probably a variety of product lines). Sadly I’ve been forced to watch her television show with Alice, and I have to say that the girl is a pretty amazing performer at such a young age (although I think she’s been at this for a while). In short, at 15 she’s accomplished a lot, and has the talent and backing of millions (people and dollars) to go farther as a serious artist.
But is appearing nude in a film before your 16, and growing up musically with an age group beyond her own the right way to do it? I’m trying to understand the logic.
And what I come up with is summed up in three words: more money, and exploitation. The only reason I can think that the people behind Miley Cyrus (and this definitely means her parents and advertisers) would allow/push her in this direction is because they think it will sell. Change her image and find a new market before she gets too attached in the public consciousness in one persona. And if exploiting their daughter’s integrity, character and respect of her fans is what is needed, then so be it. Hey, the public loves a sexy babe! Think of the headlines it’ll draw.
And I ask, why is this an effective long-term strategy for her career? There are three models to consider. The first are the serious actresses who in their early teens portrayed baby prostitutes, such as Jody Foster (Taxi Driver) and Brooke Shields (Pretty Baby). Those roles were anomalies for the other parts they played as children. Jody went on to Yale and became a serious actress and director. Shields also went on to college, is a so-so actress, but has maintained a strong, respectable career. Will the Cyrus family interrupt Miley’s career to send her to college? Model #2 are the child actors who do not show skin in their early years but continue acting. Though most child actors do not continue to adulthood, certainly maintaining their integrity hasn’t hurt the Olsen twins (though I can’t say I think their clothing and make up choices are wise). Model #3 are the Lindsay Lohan types. Early promise, flames out quickly, poor management, family dysfunction.
Whether this move makes more money or is a smart move for Miley Cyrus, I really don’t care. What I do care about is that at 15, she’s moving into an adult world and behaving like an adult before she has time to grow up. If she’s acting like an adult at 15, what does she have to look forward to? I imagine she’s already treated like no 15 year old any of us has seen. I can’t imagine the pressures on the poor (rich) girl. How can aborting what is left of her natural development be a good thing for her continued growth?
And I also care about the message that this is sending to girls and young women about selling out, and being exploited.
And mostly - I am furious with her parents.
I had a hard time believing she would do that so I searched for evidence to the contrary - and found it! http://www.celebrity-mania.com/news/view/00005848.html
http://www.popcrunch.com/rep-blasts-miley-cyrus-undiscovered-gyrl-nude-role-reports/
Of course, as to which reports are accurate, the one you found, or the ones I found, it’s a coin toss.
Regardless, all you points are valid insomuch as if she doesn’t follow this path, someone else will.
:^(
~N
~N said this on August 3, 2008 at 6:39 am
Thanks for the other sites and opinion on this. Like you, I hope its not really true. I read an article the other day on Billy Ray Cyrus taking flack for allowing the Vanity Fair photos, the strong Christian values in the family, and how he felt lost from his Hollywood exposure. I sure hope that Miley can stay on the righteous path (and for me that means healthy development).
Sadly though, even if she doesn’t there are other young women who will sacrifice their integrity and sense of personal worth for the lure of others’ desires that they flash some skin and pose provocatively.
PS: It’s fun to read the comments to the sites that you linked. Most are from girls around Miley Cyrus’ age.
modelmom said this on August 4, 2008 at 1:22 pm