What do you think of Miley Cyrus' new video - Party in the USA?

[Tiger926]

Well, we just saw Miley's new video. DD6 who has been home sick all week with a bad virus, was watching the end of Handy Manny, when our Family station here in Canada (equal to Disney station), decided it was appropriate to show Miley's new video. Handy Manny to Miley, not a very good combination!

Anyway, it's a very interesting video...it appears she's definitely trying to bite the hand that feeds her in that she seems to be shedding her Hannah Montana image. She is in very skimpy clothes, moving very suggestively (as are all of the other dancers) and heavy make-up. The camera pans up for a good part of the video, so it's as if it's looking up her body - very suggestive. There are some lyrics in which she sings about a "Britney song" being on the radio, and with her current look, she looks just like her.

DD and I had a very good discussion about age appropriateness - she decided that Miley was acting way too old for 16. She also said she didn't like the girls' shirts as they showed their belly buttons, and she wasn't sure why since they aren't at the pool - LOL! Out of the mouth of babes!

Just wanted to warn some of you who may have very young children watching this video. Also, wanted to know what some of you think of it? Very adult looking video, IMHO. We listen to the CDs as my DD likes most of the music, but we decide which episodes she can watch, as the more adult shows (dating, etc.) are too old for her. DD much prefers the first season shows when Miley was 12 and had issues at school or concert issues like problems with her wigs and such. I honestly can't see Miley being around for much longer - neither she nor her dad sing very well, nor are they good actors. This new video seems to be her introduction to the world as separate from Disney, IMHO. It's definitely much different than what we've seen before...It would seem as if she's trying to gain some young men as fans, instead of her usual young girl fan base as there would be no other reason for a video such as this.

Tiger

 

[JUJU814]

I totally agree with you. I think it's very inappropriate for a 16 year old to be strutting around like that. It's her parents' fault for allowing it. Hopefully she doesn't turn out like some of the others.

I can't get over the way they expose her chest in that video..she IS a kid.

Ugh..hollywood!

I could go on and on re: this soapbox, but I won't. Can only be accountable for my own kids.

 

[LWatson]

I agree I dont like it...way too provocative. But, someone I know and I were talking about this the other day and she said that its no diff than the way we dressed at that age. I dont think I ever dressed like that. My shorts were always midthigh at least, and I usually wore shirts that covered. Not because my parents made me, but because I felt comfortable (actually I've always been more comfy in jeans and a tshirt (but not sloppy looking). I dont know. Maybe some people arent like us and dont see it as bad. We arent all the same and like diff things. I just know it will be changed in this house, as all I have to worry about are my kids.

 

[Tiger926]

It's not even the way she dresses - we don't make mention of this, nor body sizes, etc. to our young daughter. It's more of the way she dances, stares into the camera and shakes her hips.

I'm an English teacher, and so I'm all about media studies, and so I analyzed the video tonight after the kids were in bed, and that is when I posted. I knew what my DD6 was going to say, as she is all about what is appropriate or not at the tender age of 6. Just a much different video than we have come to expect from Miley...

Tiger

 

[luvmy3]

She is hardly a child, she is almost 17 and I wouldn't expect her to be "Hannah Montana" since that is only a character she plays. She looks totally adorable, and very much like a 17 year old and how they dress today. and I love her video. I didn't think she was doing anything inappropriate at all. My dd has it on her ipod, its one of her faves.

I think too many people think of her as her character HM and expect her not to grow up and be her own person.

 

[Tiger926]

She is hardly a child, she is almost 17 and I wouldn't expect her to be "Hannah Montana" since that is only a character she plays. She looks totally adorable, and very much like a 17 year old and how they dress today. and I love her video. I didn't think she was doing anything inappropriate at all. My dd has it on her ipod, its one of her faves.

I think too many people think of her as her character HM and expect her not to grow up and be her own person.

Nope! I know she plays a character called Hannah Montana and is NOT really Hannah Montana. I totally disagree about the video - I'm a highschool teacher, so I do see kids dress inappropriately each and everyday, and so I still don't think she's acting her age at all. Like I said, clothes are just clothes - it's the way she dances, how the others dance and how she looks at the camera.

It's provocative, suggestive and for a much older audience than 16-17, IMHO. One of the main points of media is that nothing happens by accident - I totally believe she has a specific target audience in mind. Perhaps it's other 16-17 yr old girls like her, but I don't think so - I think it's older guys. She is definitely trying to break away from HM - not sure why not? Let's face it - that's the only reason we even know about Miley Cyrus as she's not a good singer or actress (this song is ok), IMHO. Obviously she's bored of that, and so this is her first foray into the adult world of music. I don't much care for it at all.

Tiger

 

[luvmy3]

Nope! I know she plays a character called Hannah Montana and is NOT really Hannah Montana. I totally disagree about the video - I'm a highschool teacher, so I do see kids dress inappropriately each and everyday, and so I still don't think she's acting her age at all. Like I said, clothes are just clothes - it's the way she dances, how the others dance and how she looks at the camera.

It's provocative, suggestive and for a much older audience than 16-17, IMHO.

Tiger

Thats fine, your entitled to that I just happen to disagree

 

[TwoRoos]

I agree with most of the posters so far...I think the video is inappropriate and provocative.

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

I agree that the video is inappropriate for the young disney crowd! I realize that HM is just a character she plays on tv but it is THE character that made her popular. Market the MC music/dance to an older crowd and don't show it on Disney.

I have a friend who is taking her nieces to the MC concert and is concerned about how appropriate it will be for an 8 and 10 year old. I hope it is toned down from the Pole dance at the Music Awards.

 

[deedeetoo]

After seeing this post, I went to youtube and watched the video. I admit that I cannot see what the fuss is about. This girl is a teenager, she is not a 6 yo and her video should not be judged by what a 6yo finds appropriate. I do agree that it was not appropriate for that TV station to show it following a Handy Manny episode.

 

[Revulkcor]

I can see where some parents don't like it, yet around where I live, we have a club called Rodeo's (Country music usually, but rap in another room) and if you walk in there on Teen Night, there are tons of 15-18 year olds dancing like this, It's somewhat sad really. Some of the teen night clubs in Orlando are worse than they are here or what you see on the video. Unfortunately, kids are starting to act more like adults at an earlier age. Even thought I'm only 19, about to be 20 years old, I never did that as a teenager. I didn't and still don't have the intention to go out clubbing when some of my friends wanted too. I just don't see the point in dancing the way they do in the clubs around here.

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

After seeing this post, I went to youtube and watched the video. I admit that I cannot see what the fuss is about. This girl is a teenager, she is not a 6 yo and her video should not be judged by what a 6yo finds appropriate. I do agree that it was not appropriate for that TV station to show it following a Handy Manny episode.

I agree with most of this - not appropriate for a 6 yo nor appropriate for the Handy Manny crowd. However, I do see what the fuss is all about. I don't want my 16/17 year old dressing like that or dancing that way. It is inappropriate. Call me old-fashioned but I don't like when adults dance/dress that way.

 

[JUJU814]

After seeing this post, I went to youtube and watched the video. I admit that I cannot see what the fuss is about. This girl is a teenager, she is not a 6 yo and her video should not be judged by what a 6yo finds appropriate. I do agree that it was not appropriate for that TV station to show it following a Handy Manny episode.

Exactly! She is a *teenager*..and wearing such skanky clothing with your breasts pushed up and hanging out is completely inappropriate for a teenager. I know people will say "they all do it"..but they do NOT all do it. Many do, but they don't all and it's appalling. What makes it worse in her case is that she's being exploited of course by Disney. I can't understand parents being ok with that.

I have a very attractive 17 year old daughter and she does not dress close to that..nor would she be allowed to. Her friends don't either. Tonight, I showed her and her girlfriends that were here the video, and they all agreed she looked really trashy.

I don't get the dancing these days either... I must be getting old..

Look, the bottom line is, there are a ton of people dressing her up , doing her hair, makeup, choreographing those moves etc. They should be accountable for this, as should her parents for allowing it. She's not a young kid, but she IS a kid and ADULTS are responsible for making her up like that. It's sick, IMHO. It's even worse that they know darn well that she is worshipped by millions of young girls who are going to want to emulate her.

 

[Hannathy]

She isn't making cd's for 6 yr old's for heavens sake! I don't even think Hannah Montana was aimed for 6 yr olds.

If she was making a Hannah Montana video then I would expect it to be more Disney but it is a Miley Cyrus song. And older teen guys AREN'T buying Miley Cyrus cds LOL They may look at her but they aren't listening to her.

 

[JUJU814]

And older teen guys AREN'T buying Miley Cyrus cds LOL .

LOL That's for sure!

 

[adoptionmomma4]

I agree that the video is inappropriate for the young disney crowd! I realize that HM is just a character she plays on tv but it is THE character that made her popular. Market the MC music/dance to an older crowd and don't show it on Disney.

I have a friend who is taking her nieces to the MC concert and is concerned about how appropriate it will be for an 8 and 10 year old. I hope it is toned down from the Pole dance at the Music Awards.

My mom just took my 12 yo DD to see Miley for a belated birthday gift. I was in Disney with my younger daughter at the time. My mom called the next day and told me she was sorry she took DD. She said there were many inappropriate moments at the show. The one that stood out the most is when they dropped ropes from the ceiling and the dancers were basically pole dancing with them. My mom was appalled and said Miley is no longer for the young Disney crowed she was a few years ago. Which is fine. We just moved Hannah Montana to the "no" list with Zach and Cody and ICarly. I hate when the cute shows with the little kids start growing up to fast with all the dating, kissing etc.... Call me a prude or old fashioned, but I just don't like it. I want to keep my kids young as long as possible.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I feel that I am a pretty conservative mom to my 8 and 9 year old daughters. I have seen the video and was fine with it, but just watched the video again on Youtube to see if maybe I missed something. I don't think there is anything wrong or inappropriate with it. She is a 17 years old girl and she was dressed just as the other girls her age do in a tank and shorts (that is the style) and her hair covered her appropriately growing chest for as much as it could. The song talks about moving hips and thats what she did. I have seen more inappropriate moves by younger girls at some dance recitals.

 

[Tiger926]

Interesting responses, so here are mine:

1. I do have issue with when our station showed the video, but they do stupid stuff like this all of the time. I've emailed, and it does no good. DH was right there as the video started immediately after Handy Manny, so we used it as a teachable moment. My DD only sees a few other videos that the station shows like Jonas Bros, Demi Lovato, Mitchell Musso, Selena Gomez or other Canadian artists. All of their videos are appropriate for kids as they just sing and dance, but this one is very suggestive - my DD picked up on how different Miley looked right away and why are the dancers pushing their bodies that way? It was a great teachable moment and one that reaffirmed for us that our DD knows that people on TV are just actors playing characters - they are no better than us. They just happen to have jobs that so many people see, and that is why they are famous. My DD said we are famous, and I said, to us and our family and friends, yes we are! It was a very good lesson.

2. I know Miley is almost 17, and is not for children. I have issue with her not acting like an almost 17 year old. From her pole dancing, to this video, she is clearly trying to shed her childhood and move into adulthood. The problem with that is, adults do NOT listen to her! Young males do not listen, but they sure as heck will watch the video. I teach highschoolers, so although the boys said they won't listen, they will watch her new video as she is selling to them. Exactly!

3. I will have to disagree that all 16-17 year olds dress like this - I didn't, my sister didn't, neither did my friends, my cousins, nor all of my students. Many of my students do, but we continually have issues with them breaking the dress code rules, so they get sent home for those kinds of outfits - shorts too small and breasts hanging out. We send them home or make them cover with a jacket all of the time as we are trying to teach them about time and place. Those are clothes for the beach, not school.

4. The video has nothing to do with the lyrics - it is selling Miley, period. They could have done a better video related to the lyrics about moving to Hollywood from Nashville, etc., but they didn't as the lyrics are secondary, IMHO. Miley is on stage - she is selling Miley, and leaving Hannah Montana far behind. Problem is, like I said above, she is not a good singer, so her fans are the HM fans, and not the fans she's seeking, so that is why she felt the need to make this video, I'm sure. In order to attract a new fan base, you need to change your style, and she has definitely done that. I'm sure it's not a stretch though, as I'm sure that is the real Miley - next, we'll probably hear how she has been stifled by playing HM all of these years.

5. My DD6 is getting tired of Miley Cyrus not acting her age as she told me last night, so we don't really watch it much anymore, and like I said, we only let her watch certain episodes. I'm sure this is happening all over - she won't like losing fans, so she has to keep it interesting. I know HM's days are almost over, according to press releases I've read from her, her dad and Disney, so she is now getting ready for that transition. Maybe some singing and acting lessons, there's a thought? LOL! I've seen the same videos by Britney, Christina, etc. and they were bad then too!

It's interesting to read people's thoughts on this - good discussion, Tiger

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

Interesting responses, so here are mine:

1. I do have issue with when our station showed the video, but they do stupid stuff like this all of the time. I've emailed, and it does no good. DH was right there as the video started immediately after Handy Manny, so we used it as a teachable moment. My DD only sees a few other videos that the station shows like Jonas Bros, Demi Lovato, Mitchell Musso, Selena Gomez or other Canadian artists. All of their videos are appropriate for kids as they just sing and dance, but this one is very suggestive - my DD picked up on how different Miley looked right away and why are the dancers pushing their bodies that way? It was a great teachable moment and one that reaffirmed for us that our DD knows that people on TV are just actors playing characters - they are no better than us. They just happen to have jobs that so many people see, and that is why they are famous. My DD said we are famous, and I said, to us and our family and friends, yes we are! It was a very good lesson.

2. I know Miley is almost 17, and is not for children. I have issue with her not acting like an almost 17 year old. From her pole dancing, to this video, she is clearly trying to shed her childhood and move into adulthood. The problem with that is, adults do NOT listen to her! Young males do not listen, but they sure as heck will watch the video. I teach highschoolers, so although the boys said they won't listen, they will watch her new video as she is selling to them. Exactly!

3. I will have to disagree that all 16-17 year olds dress like this - I didn't, my sister didn't, neither did my friends, my cousins, nor all of my students. Many of my students do, but we continually have issues with them breaking the dress code rules, so they get sent home for those kinds of outfits - shorts too small and breasts hanging out. We send them home or make them cover with a jacket all of the time as we are trying to teach them about time and place. Those are clothes for the beach, not school.

4. The video has nothing to do with the lyrics - it is selling Miley, period. They could have done a better video related to the lyrics about moving to Hollywood from Nashville, etc., but they didn't as the lyrics are secondary, IMHO. Miley is on stage - she is selling Miley, and leaving Hannah Montana far behind. Problem is, like I said above, she is not a good singer, so her fans are the HM fans, and not the fans she's seeking, so that is why she felt the need to make this video, I'm sure. In order to attract a new fan base, you need to change your style, and she has definitely done that. I'm sure it's not a stretch though, as I'm sure that is the real Miley - next, we'll probably hear how she has been stifled by playing HM all of these years.

5. My DD6 is getting tired of Miley Cyrus not acting her age as she told me last night, so we don't really watch it much anymore, and like I said, we only let her watch certain episodes. I'm sure this is happening all over - she won't like losing fans, so she has to keep it interesting. I know HM's days are almost over, according to press releases I've read from her, her dad and Disney, so she is now getting ready for that transition. Maybe some singing and acting lessons, there's a thought? LOL! I've seen the same videos by Britney, Christina, etc. and they were bad then too!

It's interesting to read people's thoughts on this - good discussion, Tiger

Are you 16 or 17 in 2009? This is what kids wear today. Obviously you know that they do since, as you said, it is a problem in your school. Hopefully no one would be wearing leg warmers and rolled up jeans, banana clips and shoulder pads like I was when I was 16/17. When my
mother was 16 she couldn't even wear pants to school. Times have changed, styles have changed.

And actually, I am 37 and I DO listen to her music and the JB, HSM and Cheetah Girls, even when my girls are not in the car. It's fun and better than most of the junk they play on the radio. Also my 10 year old nephew likes to listen to it to when we are in the car. And he is a tough guy. He is the quarterback for his Football Team.

Good for you for standing up for what you beleive is not right. Parents should definately be taking an interest in what kids watch as you do. We have to. Every parent has the right to choose what their children watch. Every parents has the right to their own opion of what is appropriate for their own children. My daughters are only allowed to watch certain channels. They are not allowed to watch Nickelodeon. Fairly Oddparents and Sponge Bob are full of sexual inuendos.

 

[JUJU814]

Are you 16 or 17 in 2009? This is what kids wear today. Obviously you know that they do since, as you said, it is a problem in your school. Hopefully no one would be wearing leg warmers and rolled up jeans, banana clips and shoulder pads like I was when I was 16/17. When my
mother was 16 she couldn't even wear pants to school. Times have changed, styles have changed.

And actually, I am 37 and I DO listen to her music and the JB, HSM and Cheetah Girls, even when my girls are not in the car. It's fun and better than most of the junk they play on the radio. Also my 10 year old nephew likes to listen to it to when we are in the car. And he is a tough guy. He is the quarterback for his Football Team.

Good for you for standing up for what you beleive is not right. Parents should definately be taking an interest in what kids watch as you do. We have to. Every parent has the right to choose what their children watch. Every parents has the right to their own opion of what is appropriate for their own children. My daughters are only allowed to watch certain channels. They are not allowed to watch Nickelodeon. Fairly Oddparents and Sponge Bob are full of sexual inuendos.

I am not 16 or 17 in 2009 (I wish!) but I have a 17 year old daughter and that is NOT what they all wear..by a long shot. Maybe the trampy ones do, but they do not all dress that way. My daughter doesn't even want to and she's so insanely picky about what she wears. She has the bod, the looks etc and is one of the most popular kids in her school. My point of that is that she dresses very current and is her own person..I'm not one of those moms that takes her shopping and scrutinizes everything she buys. She just knows intuitively what is/isn't appropriate. She has one friend who dresses that way and the girl is obnoxiously boy crazy and has been in all sorts of trouble with boys and young men. It's kind of sad actually.

Really, what we're seeing with Miley is no different than what we've seen before. Britney was huge when my daughter was a young girl. She (britney) was moving into adulthood and dressing really skanky and it became so difficult to shop for my daughter in the girls department because all the clothing coming out was "britney style"...for GIRLS..not teens.

The videos may not be aimed for 6 year olds, but the fact remains that it's the 6,7 and 8 year olds that are crazy about her and that's her main audience. Even teen girls (at least the older teen girls) are not into Miley. Whether she likes it or not, she is a model for the younger crowd of girls, thanks to Disney especially.