Any other moms disappointed in Miley??

[meandtheguys2]

As for my family, we will continue to watch HM. My girls know nothing of the photos and should they learn of them we will use them as a teaching opportunity. If I only allowed my kids to watch shows with perfect people on then, etc, they wouldn't be watching anything. I know I've made some whopper sized mistakes in my past. Thankfully, nobody is holding them against me.

If I had girls that watched her, I think that would be my response.

 

[karajeboo]

I remember when I was 15 and wanted to be seen as an adult. It's only natural, especially in the media spotlight. I think the photos were very tasteful and tried to show her as a young woman. I can't hold it against her that her demographic just happens to be the tweens, whereas when Brittney started out her whole demo was already the Top 40 listeners. Miley seems to have a good head on her shoulders and I actually felt sorry for her that she felt she had to apologize for the photos. If any of us had done that, or our teen children, nobody would even blink, let alone expect an apology for it. She needs to be 15 and enjoy everything that goes with it, including the confusion and anticipation of impending adulthood!

 

[adell557]

Isn't that what being a celebrity is all about? How others perceive you. That is how they become celebrities.

I think people become celebrities becasue they have money or they are actors or models. If people were only famous by how I perceived them then there would be alot less people who were given press or were considered famous.

 

[adell557]

I remember when I was 15 and wanted to be seen as an adult. It's only natural, especially in the media spotlight. I think the photos were very tasteful and tried to show her as a young woman. I can't hold it against her that her demographic just happens to be the tweens, whereas when Brittney started out her whole demo was already the Top 40 listeners. Miley seems to have a good head on her shoulders and I actually felt sorry for her that she felt she had to apologize for the photos. If any of us had done that, or our teen children, nobody would even blink, let alone expect an apology for it. She needs to be 15 and enjoy everything that goes with it, including the confusion and anticipation of impending adulthood!

AMEN that is what I am saying! I agree!

 

[adell557]

I have no problem with it. She had on a lot more clothes than a child wearing a bathing suit.

Thank you, How many kids have I seen playing in their underwear in the fountains at Epcot, or allow their 12 year old to wear a bikini? I agree 100%, very good point.

 

[CTmommyx3]

I think that she is a young beautiful girl and i don't think that the pictures should have been published in the first place. Like Miley said you never say no to that phortographer so she at 15 thought she was doing the thing she HAD to do . I agree that the other people that where there at the photo shoot should have stepped up , i say this because she is a minor.
All this will not keep me from letting my kids enjoy her singing and acting i still will let my kids look up to her.
My kids are not alound to see this magazine or the pictures on the interned so i don't see a problem in it .
All our kids do make mistakes in life it is just that the stars are publicised and she did apologize and i think that means a lot from her .
It is everyones own decisions of what they let there kids do about this but like i said it hasn't changed for my kids .

My thoughts. My dd has not seen or heard any of this and will not see any magazine pictures. I think the media talking about it so much is doing worse things for kids that love Miley. If they just told the story and then dropped it, the result would be the same and we would be done with this. If a parent wants to say okay no more HM then fine if not fine. I am just sick of seeing it every day on some tv channel. The girl from HSM was older yes but had full nude shots surface. I think that blew over faster than this is.

 

[adell557]

I understand what you are saying, but I respectfully disagree. We need to not only guard against impropriety but also the perception of impropriety.

For example, there is a SAHD in our neighborhood and our kids are about the same age. My dh travels for a living, so he is often gone. On those days, I will not allow this man into my house to get his kids. Nor will I go into his house when his wife is not home. There is absolutely no chemistry between us and I have no fear of anything happening if we were to be alone, but because others are nosey I strive to make sure nobody even questions my integrity. I also know pastors who will not drink -- not because they think anything is wrong with A beer but because they don't want someone to see them having a single beer and jump to conclusions that there was a few before it or after it.

I think this whole thing with Miley is along the same lines. While the photos may be avant guard or artful or whatever, they obviously could be seen as something else. Miley's fans have every reason to believe her to be a young woman of faith and purity because that is the image she has portrayed in her movie and at awards shows, etc. If that is the image they want to capitalize on, then that is the image they need to guard. If they no longer wish to portray that, fine, but they need to be prepared for the backlash as well.

As for my family, we will continue to watch HM. My girls know nothing of the photos and should they learn of them we will use them as a teaching opportunity. If I only allowed my kids to watch shows with perfect people on then, etc, they wouldn't be watching anything. I know I've made some whopper sized mistakes in my past. Thankfully, nobody is holding them against me.

I agree we should guard against impropriety and guarding integrity, but I don't think these pictures should call into question Miley's integrity or her image. She isn't naked, she is completely covered with the exception of her back, which as another person pointed out is less skin than many bathing suits even one piece suits show. I think my daughter's one piece princess bathing suit shows more back than the photo.

On a side note, I am not saying just do whatever you want, but I don't want to live my life worrying about every little thing I do and how people will perceive it. I totally agree about the SAHD, my husband and I have the same policy, that is a totally different issue in my opinion than the miley pics.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I think people become celebrities because they have money or they are actors or models. If people were only famous by how I perceived them then there would be a lot less people who were given press or were considered famous.

LOL, I lived in Southern California long enough to know that being an actor does NOT make one a celebrity.

Becoming and staying a celebrity is all about the public's perception as a whole. Not individually... Don't I wish.

As for wanting to be an adult at 15, well, just because I wanted to didn't mean my mom was foolish enough to let me be one!

Pertaining to the bathing suit comment made by someone, sexuality and the portrayal of such isn't as much about clothes. If it were, naked baby pictures would be obscene. But you take an innocent child and portray them in a sultry manner...and you are arrested. While these photos were not of that level, they def. set out to portray this girl in a sexual manner. That is my issue.

 

[adell557]

My thoughts. My dd has not seen or heard any of this and will not see any magazine pictures. I think the media talking about it so much is doing worse things for kids that love Miley. If they just told the story and then dropped it, the result would be the same and we would be done with this. If a parent wants to say okay no more HM then fine if not fine. I am just sick of seeing it every day on some tv channel. The girl from HSM was older yes but had full nude shots surface. I think that blew over faster than this is.

I agree, let it go media, but they feed what the people want to hear.

 

[thomasclan85]

Personally, I think she's fifteen, and most fifteen year olds will make stupid decisions if they're not given guidance to do otherwise. I'm more ashamed of all of the other people in the room that thought this was okay. Her parents, handlers, Annie Lebowitz (sp?), and Vanity Fair magazine for publishing the photo just to cause a scandal.

Guess what people? Fifteen year olds aren't sexy, they're still kids. And it's nothing short of grossly exploitative to try to make them anything different. If someone's dad had taken that picture and posted it on the internet, he'd be in jail about now.

I agree 100% and I was really disappointed to hear of this. My DD is a huge fan! Vanity Fair should be ashamed. 15 year olds are STILL children and no one needs to see a 15 year old like this.

 

[adell557]

LOL, I lived in Southern California long enough to know that being an actor does NOT make one a celebrity.

Becoming and staying a celebrity is all about the public's perception as a whole. Not individually... Don't I wish.

As for wanting to be an adult at 15, well, just because I wanted to didn't mean my mom was foolish enough to let me be one!

Pertaining to the bathing suit comment made by someone, sexuality and the portrayal of such isn't as much about clothes. If it were, naked baby pictures would be obscene. But you take an innocent child and portray them in a sultry manner...and you are arrested. While these photos were not of that level, they def. set out to portray this girl in a sexual manner. That is my issue.

Uhh . . . I didn't mean just any person who calls them self an actor, I mean the ones we call celebrities.

I don't think they portray her as an adult, if anything I think they have an air of innocence and vulnerability of a child I feel that is what she was trying to capture.

The heart of this discussion is not whether the pics are sexual or not, it is more about how mothers are now saying their daughter's can't watch the show, and as the OP of this thread, canceling b-day parties that are HM themed b/c of the pics, even after she apoplogized. I just don't like the judgemental feel of it all. I just don't think people should be so unforgiving of mistakes celebrity or not.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Thank you, How many kids have I seen playing in their underwear in the fountains at Epcot, or allow their 12 year old to wear a bikini? I agree 100%, very good point.

yep, I saw little girls shirtless last week in the fountain.. You never know how many pervs were around snapping pics.

From the other pics the only area exposed on her was her shoulders and back. She had on black pants.

 

[kellyf2626]

Hmmmm....I saw the pic of her with her back exposed....I really don't see any problem with it? It's an "artsy" type photo in Vanity Fair - not in a mag meant for teens. And I think of myself as pretty conservative!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I have to say that I am disappointed. Surprised?..no..but disappointed. Her pictures may not be over the top, but she and the adults around her had to know that such poses could be perceived as suggestive. To purposefully pose for a photo that you know will be in the public eye and that you know could be perceived as suggestive is a risky choice for a 15 yr old Disney star. It comes with consequences.

The fact is Miley Cyrus has a huge fan base that is much younger than she is. This is obvious by the children at her concerts, and just walk into any store and take a look at the HM items for girls 6 and up. If she is going to continue to market to such a young fan base and capitalize off of them, then she needs to take the responsibility that goes with it. If she is ready to grow up and move on then she needs to stop marketing to the younger crowd and Disney needs to move on as well. I can understand her desire to grow and mature, but if she is going to say one thing and then do another, then she needs to be prepared for her fans and those that supprt her fans to have opinions and be disappointed.

I agree completely. Remember Hilary Duff as Lizzie McGuire? I'm sure her decision to leave had a lot to do with money, but I also feel like she was sick of being stuck in the perfect little girl mold and wanted out. She did the honorable thing and left Disney, pursuing her singing career, where she could be more herself. I still feel like Miley's parents bear some responsibility for what goes on in their daughter's career. She is a minor. If Annie Liebovitz wanted Miley to do almost nude shots or barely covered breast shots, would her parents still claim they weren't there, so they're not accountable? Or would they be screaming bloody murder and threatening to sue? I think everyone involved knew exactly what they were doing and only freaked after the media took the story and ran with it. That's why I think Miley's apology is crap, because it isn't a true apology, but rather a ploy to divert attention from her. She wants to act like an adult, then own up when something backfires. Let's face it, no one steps in front of a red hot career and puts a stop to this sort of stuff. Had Britney and Lindsay's parents done it sooner, maybe their kids wouldn't be known as train wrecks.

 

[eliza61]

i just saw on the news about Miley posing for "artsy" photos with Vanity Fair--I'm quite disappointed in her choice to do this kind of thing. And in her parents' choice to allow it. My daughter is 6 and we have been doing the Hannah thing for a long time--went to the concert, watch the show, have the dolls, clothes etc..

But we won't be having the Hannah birthday party we had planned or redecorating her room in Hannah now!!

Anybody have any thoughts/opinions??

Personally, I think she's fifteen, and most fifteen year olds will make stupid decisions if they're not given guidance to do otherwise. I'm more ashamed of all of the other people in the room that thought this was okay. Her parents, handlers, Annie Lebowitz (sp?), and Vanity Fair magazine for publishing the photo just to cause a scandal.

Guess what people? Fifteen year olds aren't sexy, they're still kids. And it's nothing short of grossly exploitative to try to make them anything different. If someone's dad had taken that picture and posted it on the internet, he'd be in jail about now.

Except you forget this is not your normal 15 year old. This is a franchise. Miley cryus is a product, they are marketing her for longevity. Her team knows she will not be able to do the "hannah Montanna" thing forever so they are poising her to young adult hood. 15 years old may not be sexy but in todays times you better believe 18 year olds are. How old do you think those Victoria secrets models are?

 

[DianeV]

I think some of you with tweens need to take a look and see if they have a Myspace page (yes many do that are underage!) and look at the pictures on there! If you want to see some provocative pics that is where you look. Makes Miley look very innocent

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Well, I'm officially in the "no more Hannah Montana" camp. The previous pictures of her baring her bra, laying on her bed in underwear and drapped across a boy with his hand on her thighs isn't what I'd call appropriate. Why is that we're blurring the line between girlhood and sexuality? Is it really ok to have your daughter taking provacative pictures of herself and posting them online? Of course not. As parents we should be aware of what our kids are doing, it's our job to raise them. Why can't we protect the innocence of our girls? As for Miley's Vanity Fair pictures, everyone seems to think, well it could have been worse, or she could be doing nude shots. I'm sorry but this is a 15 year old girl, that's right, not a woman. Shame on her parents and the photographer for allowing those Vanity Fair pictures to be taken and then published! BUT, shame on Miley for taking pictures of herself and putting them on her myspace page. You all should check out the Vanity Fair website to see the pictures, the video of the shoot and read the article about Miley. She says in it her favorite show is Sex and the City. What 15 year old should be watching that? It just seems like people are desensitized to what is appropriate for a young girl. We as parents are the role models, not Miley Cyrus but I think she has a responsibility to the public who are making her rich and famous. If she wants to change her image from clean good girl to mature adult girl posing for Vanity Fair, fine, but I don't to have to buy her stuff for my girls or let them listen to her music. Goodness, her target audience is little girls 6-12 years old. Just my 2 cents worth....

 

[lmcdo02]

I would say that Vanity Fair accomplished what they set out to do, stir up the pot and sell magazines. What we need to do is NOT buy the magazine, visit the website, or anything like that if you want them to stop.

None of us will probably ever be in this situation as parents, so you really don't know how you would react to your 15 yr old being a celebrity of that level. All we can do as parents is decided whether we want our kids to see things like that. I don't subscribe to VF, and probably never will. My kids aren't allowed to be on the internet w/out one of us around. They are too young to be let loose on it ( 8 & 11). They can see A LOT worse things than that picture just by typing in the wrong word!

I will continue to let my kids watch the show and listen to her music. I see nothing wrong with that.

 

[kitsch4]

While nudity in and of itself does not = sex, this particular photo seems to me to be set up very intentionally to be sexual. The whole image is contrived. It's not just that it's a backless shot. Perhaps she could even get away with that expression in another shot, but the satin bedsheets, bed hair, and red lipstick are all things that have come to be associated with sexuality in western culture. There is plenty of time for this particular brand of raw, honest portraits when she can vote. She's a pretty girl, and there are so many other ways the photographer could have chosen to express that which wouldn't have caused any turmoil at all.

I'm not trying to be offensive, I just don't think this was an appropriate set-up for a fifteen year old.

Very well said! I completely agree. She looks like she just had a romp in the sack. Who did they think would be happy with this photo? The parents of her fans? Disney? Her fans who try to emulate her? I agree that at 15 you don't always use great judgment, but her parents really should have known better.

 

[adell557]

Well, I'm officially in the "no more Hannah Montana" camp. The previous pictures of her baring her bra, laying on her bed in underwear and drapped across a boy with his hand on her thighs isn't what I'd call appropriate. Why is that we're blurring the line between girlhood and sexuality? Is it really ok to have your daughter taking provacative pictures of herself and posting them online? Of course not. As parents we should be aware of what our kids are doing, it's our job to raise them. Why can't we protect the innocence of our girls? As for Miley's Vanity Fair pictures, everyone seems to think, well it could have been worse, or she could be doing nude shots. I'm sorry but this is a 15 year old girl, that's right, not a woman. Shame on her parents and the photographer for allowing those Vanity Fair pictures to be taken and then published! BUT, shame on Miley for taking pictures of herself and putting them on her myspace page. You all should check out the Vanity Fair website to see the pictures, the video of the shoot and read the article about Miley. She says in it her favorite show is Sex and the City. What 15 year old should be watching that? It just seems like people are desensitized to what is appropriate for a young girl. We as parents are the role models, not Miley Cyrus but I think she has a responsibility to the public who are making her rich and famous. If she wants to change her image from clean good girl to mature adult girl posing for Vanity Fair, fine, but I don't to have to buy her stuff for my girls or let them listen to her music. Goodness, her target audience is little girls 6-12 years old. Just my 2 cents worth....

I don't think 15 year olds should be watching sex and the city and I dont' think 6 year olds should be watching Hannah Montana.

However, I don't think this pic should deter people from watching the show or listening to the music of HM the character. I don't see what personal photos or photos in an adult mag have to do with kids enjoyment of a disney show.