Miley Cyrus... why?

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Your Mama Don't Dance.

I only watched that once

a - those were adults, weren't they? Apples and oranges.

b- in dance you ACT out a part....it isn't supposed to be reality. There is currently a brother - sister duo, the Houghs, who dance suggestively when the dance calls for it. I don't consider that incest.

 

[bicker]

Were they all "adults"? Some seemed pretty young to me, but that's happening a lot more now that I'm getting old. However, incest knows no age limit. Regardless, I don't consider the dancing incest either; and apparently, the photos we're talking about in this thread weren't porn. My point was that there is a vast inconsistency between the reaction: With the dance show, the reaction was in the proper perspective vis a vis its relationship to the perceived transgression (incest) (i.e., the reaction was practically non-existent), where with regard to this photo shoot the reaction is remarkably over-the-top and destructive.

Beyond that, Miley Cyrus is an actress. She does "ACT out a part", and that's the case with celebrity photo shoots in general -- really with any interactions between celebrities and the public. So if acting out a part explains the dancing, it almost surely explains celebrity photo shoots as well.

 

[DanMedix]

My problem is not with Ms. Leibowitz, or the pictures themselves (although they're a little too mature for her age, imho), but with the Cyrus family and their flip-flop reactions to all of this (not to mention their hand in the design of this entire publicity campaign...errr, I mean, debacle).

Before the "public outcry", and the statement of the Disney Company, the Cyrus' (yes, ALL of them) were very pleased with the shoot, and the way it turned out. Entertainment Tonight did a spot where they showed part of the photo shoot, and interviewed Billy Ray. Everyone seemed quite upbeat about it. But, when the opinions started to turn to the negative, the Cyrus family did more backpedaling than a bicyclist riding down a cliff! Local radio started to mention it this morning. The Cyrus' are ashamed, and Disney states that they were taken advantage of.

I hope I'm not the only one calling BS on this one! They were so happy about things, until they saw that it could hurt their Achy Breaky image. I'd respect them a whole lot more if they'd come out and say "YES WE STAND BY THE PICTURES. SO WHAT IF YOU THINK I'M A TRAMP!". At least that would show that they'd stick to their guns, and not just go to where the dollar signs tell them to go.

 

[luvmy3]

I'm not sure why everybody is in an uproar about this. She took some pics, her parents signed a release to let her do so. Who the heck am I to judge what this family feels is appropriate for their daughter?
As far as Miley being a role model for young girls, if you are letting your young girls read Vanity Fair than you have far worse things you should be worrying about. My dd loves her music and her show. Her walls are covered with her picture but she certainly isn't my daughter's role model, I am and her father is.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

My problem is not with Ms. Leibowitz, or the pictures themselves (although they're a little too mature for her age, imho), but with the Cyrus family and their flip-flop reactions to all of this (not to mention their hand in the design of this entire publicity campaign...errr, I mean, debacle).

Before the "public outcry", and the statement of the Disney Company, the Cyrus' (yes, ALL of them) were very pleased with the shoot, and the way it turned out. Entertainment Tonight did a spot where they showed part of the photo shoot, and interviewed Billy Ray. Everyone seemed quite upbeat about it. But, when the opinions started to turn to the negative, the Cyrus family did more backpedaling than a bicyclist riding down a cliff! Local radio started to mention it this morning. The Cyrus' are ashamed, and Disney states that they were taken advantage of.

I hope I'm not the only one calling BS on this one! They were so happy about things, until they saw that it could hurt their Achy Breaky image. I'd respect them a whole lot more if they'd come out and say "YES WE STAND BY THE PICTURES. SO WHAT IF YOU THINK I'M A TRAMP!". At least that would show that they'd stick to their guns, and not just go to where the dollar signs tell them to go.

see, I don't think the back pedaling is for real - I think they knew exactly how this (and the other released photos) would play out......how could they not considering we have been down this road over and over: MIley's other photos, the nudes of the HSM girl, etc..... It is just more of the same of the "stay in the limelight/keep up the hype" game.

Also: It doesn't necessarily mean she will go the Spears route, but I do see her heading for the hypocritical Jessica Simpson route...if she keeps up the talk about her faith while continuing to push the bar with he sexual behavior....

 

[AmberDaClown]

15 year olds have sex? They engage in sexual behaviour?

STOP THE PRESSES!!!

 

[kimluvswdw]

It is only a matter of time and she will be like the rest of them.

 

[Robinrs]

see, I don't think the back pedaling is for real - I think they knew exactly how this (and the other released photos) would play out......how could they not considering we have been down this road over and over: MIley's other photos, the nudes of the HSM girl, etc..... It is just more of the same of the "stay in the limelight/keep up the hype" game.

Also: It doesn't necessarily mean she will go the Spears route, but I do see her heading for the hypocritical Jessica Simpson route...if she keeps up the talk about her faith while continuing to push the bar with he sexual behavior....

 

[Caitsmama]

Also: It doesn't necessarily mean she will go the Spears route, but I do see her heading for the hypocritical Jessica Simpson route...if she keeps up the talk about her faith while continuing to push the bar with he sexual behavior....

As another poster said - when did showing your back incinuate sexual pose?? Seriously, some need to step back and lighten up. And STOP condeming this poor girl!! Must be nice to feel so secure to judge so harsh.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

As another poster said - when did showing your back incinuate sexual pose?? Seriously, some need to step back and lighten up. And STOP condeming this poor girl!! Must be nice to feel so secure to judge so harsh.

FTR, I have not and do not condemn Miley Cyrus. I only judge those who are responsible for her or who lured her into the situation.

As for the sexual/sensual nature of the pic... it is what it is.

 

[Caitsmama]

As for the sexual/sensual nature of the pic... it is what it is.

exactly, it's a shot of her BACK.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I'm sorry I haven't read this whole thread. I know that the Cyruses and Disney and Vanity Fair have put out statements, but has there been comment by Annie Lebowitz about this?

I really can't blame Miley for any of this, she is 15 years old, worldly maybe, but still 15 and 15 year olds make lots of mistakes and sometimes don't show the best judgement. (shocking) I am very surprised by her parents though. I don't believe for a second that they didn't see the pictures and approve the ones that were used before they wound up in Vanity Fair. Can they not turn on the TV any hour of the day and see what has happened to other young stars? Do they think Miley is immune from all that? She is fifteen, that's what parents are supposed to be for.

 

[bicker]

It definitely is what it is; what it isn't is suggestive. I've now seen the photo and any suggestiveness has got to be in the eye of the beholder. I don't see anything in her eyes or the positioning of her body that is suggestive in the slightest. The only thing remarkable about the picture is that she might (I wasn't there, so I cannot say for sure) be not wearing a top.

 

[Shutterbug]

Go down to the local swimming places this summer and you will see girls that age showing off alot more skin including cleavage than were in those pics

 

[bicker]

I'm sorry I haven't read this whole thread. I know that the Cyruses and Disney and Vanity Fair have put out statements, but has there been comment by Annie Lebowitz about this?

Yes:

Miley and I looked at fashion photographs together and we discussed the picture in that context before we shot it. ... The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

exactly, it's a shot of her BACK.

To me it's obscene and suggestive given the fact that she is a 15 year old kid. Other posters see this as being a completely innocent and precious picture, but I do not share that view. Who knows, maybe it's just me?

 

[bicker]

I doubt it is just you, but you really hit on something: Reasonable people disagree. So the question is what do we, in a pluralistic society, do when reasonable people disagree? Condemn each other with increasing viciousness until it leads to conflict? Or do we find a way to live with each other, respecting each other's conflicting perspectives and accepting that not everyone needs to adhere to one's own personal values?

My beliefs are available for subscription. Some of them actually have been adopted by some DISboard members over the years -- I've introduced several people to Pantheism as an actual religion over the years -- always on request, of course-- I don't expect everyone to suddenly decide that the Universe is God. Live according to your own principles, and respect others enough to accept them living according to theirs.

 

[jamimb]

exactly, it's a shot of her BACK.

It's not what was shown but how it was shot. It is a very seductive pose! If I were to drap myself in a satin sheet that way and send it to my DH do you really think he would say "what it's just your back" ??? No he would think it was sexy/sensual and for anyone to not be able to see that just goes to show how desensitized(spelling?) this country is to all things of a sexual nature!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I doubt it is just you, but you really hit on something: Reasonable people disagree. So the question is what do we, in a pluralistic society, do when reasonable people disagree? Condemn each other with increasing viciousness until it leads to conflict? Or do we find a way to live with each other, respecting each other's conflicting perspectives and accepting that not everyone needs to adhere to one's own personal values?

My beliefs are available for subscription. Some of them actually have been adopted by some DISboard members over the years -- I've introduced several people to Pantheism as an actual religion over the years -- always on request, of course-- I don't expect everyone to suddenly decide that the Universe is God. Live according to your own principles, and respect others enough to accept them living according to theirs.

I understand your position, but where it breaks down for me is that all views, beliefs, and statements are not equal. For example, the sexual exploitation of children cannot be tolerated as simply a value different from my own.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

It's not what was shown but how it was shot. It is a very seductive pose! If I were to drap myself in a satin sheet that way and send it to my DH do you really think he would say "what it's just your back" ??? No he would think it was sexy/sensual and for anyone to not be able to see that just goes to show how desensitized(spelling?) this country is to all things of a sexual nature!

If I were to drape myself in a satin sheet that way and send it to my DW she would probably tell me I need to shave my back.