Miley Cyrus Goes Topless!

The news hit on April 27^th, 2008. Miley Cyrus, the loveable young sensation who millions of children adore as "Hannah Montana" on the Disney television show, had appeared semi-nude on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. The reporters and "holier-than-thou"s came out in droves and began casting stones. What is all the fuss about? The photographs, which I have seen, were not tasteless. They were not pornography. So why are the people claiming "foul"?

Most of it arises from the fact that Miley Cyrus is only 15-years old. She was born Destiny Hope Cyrus on Nov. 23, 1992; her parents are Tish Finley and Country Singer Billy Ray Cyrus. At the time, Billy Ray and Tish were not married. So anyone who wants to talk about "role models", then start right there, however this is not the 1950s. The American family has changed. Billy Ray and Tish married in December of 1992 and have been married ever since. Not bad for being in careers (Billy Ray was/is a mildly successful country singer and a more than adequate actor who appeared in his own television series "Doc" as Doctor Clint Cassidy for three years between 2001 and 2004) that normally have a short lifespan on marriages.

Miley and her father, Billy Ray, appear together as father and daughter in the Disney television program called "Hannah Montana". In the program Miley plays a version of herself and "Hannah Montana" is her pop star secret identity. It's good. It's not Shakespeare but it's good. Well, I should just say it..."it's good enough for people these days", it's non-offensive, politically correct, market-minded, fodder for the young "tween" market. Walk into any Wal-Mart store and you'll see the "Hannah Montana" merchandise which is just begging to be bought....and you'll see the kids begging to have Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, and complete strangers buy them something "Hannah Montana", from purses to fake wigs, guitars, sticker books, and loads more. It's a real money maker for the Cyrus Family and Disney, of course.

So, perhaps that is why the fuss. The fact that the photos came out and were even taken in the first place is probably bothering the pocketbook of Disney. In December of 2007, Forbes magazine listed Miley Cyrus as #17 on the list of the Top 20 earners under the age of 25. In March her wax figure was unveiled at the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in New York City, further proof that Miley Cyrus has become an American institution in a short time. But a few barely dressed photos of someone 15-years old can derail any career. Anything with a 15-year old girl can cause trouble, just ask Jerry Lee Lewis.

Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz took the photos. If Annie Leibovitz wanted to take my picture and wanted me stark naked, I'd do it. She was Chief Photographer of Rolling Stone Magazine from 1973-1983 and since 1983 has been portrait photographer for Vanity Fair magazine. She has photographed all the greats. She was even asked to photograph the Queen of England. Being photographed by her is an honor, and Miley Cyrus would've been insane to reject the offer.

I know that since the fervor over the pictures has arisen, Miley Cyrus has come forward with a statement saying she regrets the photos and was embarrassed by them once she saw them. This is a common statement. Yes, the girl is 15, however any parent who thinks a television show should teach your children about morals and how to live your life, they are the ones that are wrong. You should be teaching your children morals and how to live their lives, not letting television do it.

Vanity Fair has been in the magazine business for 94 years. They should not take the hit on this one. Billy Ray has been in the music and acting business for almost twenty years, he knows the deal. Miley is fresh to the business and she should take this as a lesson. If Disney wants her to bail out of her show, let them. She can make it on her own. She won't be 15 forever. Remember Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon? She was only 8-years old and the dialogue was not the stuff my 8-year old speaks. What is on television and what is real are two different things. Do not let your fantasy world run your real world. It's a show. Hannah Montana is not real. The character of "Miley Cyrus" from the show is not real. Destiny Hope Cyrus (or Miley Ray Cyrus, per her legal name change) is her own person. I say "bravo" to her for the photos, she'll cherish them forever. Annie Leibovitz is one of a kind and a photographer like her doesn't just drop from the sky. Whatever you do, don't be embarrassed and don't apologize for your actions. Bravo.