Miley Cyrus... why?

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

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.

I guess I could have worded that better - if you look back at my other posts I really don't see this particular instance as that bad - possibly inappropriate for the age but far from porn. I understand how some ssee it as suggestive - I tend to see it more as an artistic semi-nude. I wouldn't let my DD do it - but I am not judging this harshly. I am not judging this pic...just saying if she continues...in the sense of taking it further ...while at the same time keeping up the quotes about faith, etc....

My emphasis on that last quote should have been on that...taking it further....

ETA - I am the one who brought up Brooke Shields earlier...her work/pics at such an early age and how well she has done/turned out...and for those who say "if we allow this, what is next???"..while I was looking into date, etc at IMDB there is interesting conversation about how a movie like "Pretty Baby" could never be made today.....so which direction are we really moving in???? My point in that original post is that this really isn't all that new....or a sign of moving in the wrong direction....

 

[SueM in MN]

OK...

I havent read all of this thread, and the Cyrus(s) all have baggage on this one, and the spin control IS being handled correctly (prompt, clear remorse, apologies, etc, etc...)..

BUT..

Why is noone taking Annie Leibowitz to task for creating the comfort level with this young girl (i.e. making her feel like... its OK, its just ....art....)

The pedigree that Annie Leib has is pretty persuasive to a young, ambitious (rising) media star...

jus' wondering...

I wondered that in the first page.
Annie Leibovitz is a very well known photographer, known for getting some fantastic pictures. The Vanity Fair website says
" you haven’t hit it big until you’ve been photographed by Annie Leibovitz".
That's a pretty 'seductive' way to get a 15 yr old to do whatever/pose however you want her to.
I also saw this article, which kind of lets you imagine how things can happen:
"Leibovitz is an exceptionally calculated image-maker, who said recently she uses nudity to “create an instant intimacy” between subject and viewer.

One can believe Cyrus’s description of Leibovitz’s persuasive powers in the studio, pushing the young actress – fame-hungry and flattered to pose for the world’s most famous photographer for a magazine such as Vanity Fair – into ever more risqué poses. “You can’t say no to Annie,” Miley said. “She’s so cute. She gets this puppy-dog look, and you’re like, OK.”
The "puppy dog" quote is apparently from the magazine - I read online that the whole quote is:
"I had a big blanket on. And I thought, This looks pretty, and really natural. I think it’s really artsy. [And] it wasn’t in a skanky way.… And you can’t say no to [photographer Annie Leibovitz]. She’s so cute. She gets this puppy-dog look and you’re like, O.K.”
That was what was in articles this morning as part of Vanity Fair's defense of the photos, showing that she knew what she was getting into and agreed that the photos were 'artsy'.

Reading that, I think it sounds like a teen who was coerced by Annie L's puppy dog eyes.
And, since the quote is from the article, it came out before the apologies. I think Miley saw the pictures thru Annie L's eyes until someone pointed out to her how they actually appeared (like the story of the Emperor's New Clothes - as long as everyone agrees how great the Emperor looks in his new clothes, no one will say he is naked).

 

[bicker]

I think Miley saw the pictures thru Annie L's eyes until someone pointed out to her how they actually appeared

Or until someone sold her on a perverted perspective. Remember, there are two sides to this issue.

 

[Goobergal99]

They are provacative photos and no, I would not allow my DD to wear any of those "new slinky" style prom dresses either, especially not at 15. I don't wish to send my DD out in an outfit that screams "come and get me, I'm easy" and thats exactly what those dresses look like,

it's no different then the 12 y/olds at the mall with the words "juicy" across their a##! I mean WTH is up with that!

 

[Goobergal99]

OT a little I know... but doesn't this whole bit about the promise ring to her parents that she will keep her virginity, and the constant throw backs to her faith... remind you of another teen star ala Britney? and we all know what happened there

Why do these kids feel the need to profess their virginity?? I mean personally I don't care about their sex life or lack there of... it is so TMI

 

[Charade]

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

Quite often. Many find a woman's back a very sensuous part of the body. Here we have a child (IMO (and many others), 15 is STILL a child) being posed like an adult woman. There's nothing innocent about the photo. You might call it artistic (it would be in the right context), but I don't think it is. I wouldn't call it pornographic though but I would call it improper for a child.

I think it's ironic that you slammed people for being so judgmental while doing it yourself.

 

[SueM in MN]

Or until someone sold her on a perverted perspective. Remember, there are two sides to this issue.

I would agree except that the quote from Miley Cyrus that VANITY FAIR itself was giving out as proof that she had agreed to the photos sound very much like someone who felt coerced.
And that was before she knew there was 'perverted perspective' since her comments say she thought they were artsy. I can't find the original article from this morning, but the quote was part of Vanity Fair's proof that she knew what she was doing and was comfortable with it.

The "puppy dog" quote is apparently from the magazine - I read online that the whole quote is:
"I had a big blanket on. And I thought, This looks pretty, and really natural. I think it’s really artsy. [And] it wasn’t in a skanky way.… And you can’t say no to [photographer Annie Leibovitz]. She’s so cute. She gets this puppy-dog look and you’re like, O.K.”

 

[Ember]

Well, I read all 12 pages. And I looked at the offending photo. I don't actually see anything wrong with it, however, I would say that it wasn't the best show of judgment publish it.

Just as little girls dressing up in skimpy outfits and makeup and dancing can be seen as "cute" it can also be viewed as sexual. Or when a young adult chats on-line they way they perceive things can be innocent, whereas the person their talking to sees it as an invitation. Or when a teenager wears shorts or a skirt, they probably aren't thinking that they will taken as inviting an adult concept of sexuality.

The only reason this portrait is seen as overtly-sexual is because that's the pre-conception the viewer brings to it. I have to admit, it would never occur to me to view a 15 year old in that way so all I saw was a black and white portrait with part of a back showing. Only after reading the controversy did I go back and see what other people might have seen.

So my only problem with this photo is that her parents should have been aware that there are a lot of sick/dirty minds out there who would view their daughter as a sexual commodity. Of course, the same should then apply to cheerleaders, and children who dance as these costumes and routines could be viewed in the same light.

 

[moon]

ETA - I am the one who brought up Brooke Shields earlier...her work/pics at such an early age and how well she has done/turned out...and for those who say "if we allow this, what is next???"..while I was looking into date, etc at IMDB there is interesting conversation about how a movie like "Pretty Baby" could never be made today.....so which direction are we really moving in???? My point in that original post is that this really isn't all that new....or a sign of moving in the wrong direction....

I think Brooke's case is different. Her controversial work/pictures happened when she was a child. her (her mother's?) excuse was that "she had 'nothing" to show because she hadn't developed yet. (ITD with that, but that was their excuse) Brooke's image became more and more wholesome as she grew up, the opposite to these girls today who pose for racy pictures to show they are not longer children. Also the controversy with Brooke was all work related. I can't remember a single inappropiate picture/incident from her in her private life. Maybe my memory fails me, but I can't think of a single scandal from Bkooke's private life.

 

[AmberDaClown]

Brooke Shields did the "nothing comes between me" ad in 1981 when she was all of 16.

Her pose is highly "un-ladylike" and far more racy and suggestive than that of Miley.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YK2VZgJ4AoM

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Thats okay...as a mother it's a battle I'm willing to fight. I'm the parent - I'll win. She might get mad at me - but she'll get over it.

*snort* That sounds exactly like something my wife would say.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I think Brooke's case is different. Her controversial work/pictures happened when she was a child. her (her mother's?) excuse was that "she had 'nothing" to show because she hadn't developed yet. (ITD with that, but that was their excuse) Brooke's image became more and more wholesome as she grew up, the opposite to these girls today who pose for racy pictures to show they are not longer children. Also the controversy with Brooke was all work related. I can't remember a single inappropiate picture/incident from her in her private life. Maybe my memory fails me, but I can't think of a single scandal from Bkooke's private life.

I respect your opinion. However, I don't find it that different.

Brooke went much further than this at an earlier age.

I was only trying to point out that posing for these pics now does not mean that Cyrus will necessarily go that way. (like Spears et al)..she could just as likely go the same as Brooke. Who knows.

Researching at IMDB - there were nude pics of Brooke at 10 - and some kind of lawsuit. I don't buy the moms argument of "nothing to show" either.....

I just don't see it as that different. This particular pic of MIley is work related - it is promotional.

 

[damo]

The fact that she is in a bed, under satin sheets, with the illusion of nudity sure seems provocative to me. Why did they need to have her pose in a bed? What was the impression they were trying to give?

 

[transparant]

*snort* That sounds exactly like something my wife would say.

 

[Daxx]

Ummmm...Actually, plenty of people complain. A&F ads are often just soft porn. I won't spend one penny there. Never will.

Really? Plenty? B/c I don't see ANY changes in their ads, so it must not be a huge outpouring of complaints. You don't see A&F changing their ads so it's not a majority b/c otherwise they'd be changing the ads or be out of business. So what if "plenty" of people won't shop there ... a majority must still be shopping there b/c they're still going strong. Was just in there this weekend and it was teeming w/teens and parents. Obviously, the complaints aren't as many b/c those posters are still gracing the walls.

The fact that she is in a bed, under satin sheets,

The facts are that she's NOT in a bed under satin sheets. She's not even indoors!!!!

The facts are that she is seated on a bar stool, she's not under satin sheets ... the sheet is wrapped around her like you'd wrap a towel around you as you got out of the shower. And she's outside.

ETA - thanks to Amber for posting the link. I was afraid of points. You're a better woman than I am, Amber!!!

 

[luvmyfam444]

I haven't finished reading the the posts yet - I'm still way back on page 6....

BUT I agree with those that mentioned that Annie should be held responsible - it almost makes it look to me like she waited til her parents (mom/dad, whoever) was there left & then decided to talk her into the photos - almost like tricking her into it - telling her it would be good for her & her handlers (HATE that term - makes her sound like an animal!) just looked the other way while the pics were being shot... who knows maybe they took a lunch break during the time that pic was taken...so they didn't really see...

BUT I must say from what I've seen her makeup artist made her look terrible - gothic looking IMO ....

 

[AmberDaClown]

The fact that she is in a bed, under satin sheets, with the illusion of nudity sure seems provocative to me. Why did they need to have her pose in a bed? What was the impression they were trying to give?

Have you even LOOKED at the photo?



http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/06/miley_slideshow200806?slide=15#globalNav

Please share where is the bed?

Yeah, she looks totally coerced....NOT

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/06/miley_slideshow200806

 

[Daxx]

I agree w/the fact that she does look overly goth!

 

[5lilfish]

Have you even LOOKED at the photo?



Please share where is the bed?

I had to go back and look again too....I didn't remember there being a bed...lol.

Looking at the picture for the second time, I find it even less offensive. Honestly, if I hadn't read that it was a sheet, I would have thought it was a dress. So many dresses/outfits have that bunched up front with the tie at the base of the neck these days. My first impression was that she was wearing a dress with this style...lol.

I also don't find it that suggestive. Miley doesn't have a "take me" look or, as someone else described it, she doesn't have bedroom eyes. If anything, she looks like she's in a wind storm trying to stay warm.

Jess

 

[damo]

Have you even LOOKED at the photo?



http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/06/miley_slideshow200806?slide=15#globalNav

Please share where is the bed?

Yeah, she looks totally coerced....NOT

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/06/miley_slideshow200806

You know, I looked at the photo from the link provided by the OP, and I guess seeing the sheet, my mind assumed there was a bed. Looking at it again, I still would have assumed it was a bed. You can't really see what she is on. I never looked at the other photos of the entire shoot, just the one in the OP. It still looks provocative to me and creepy.