Miley Cyrus Photos: "Artsy" or Provocative?

The star of Disney's hit TV show "Hannah Montana," Miley Cyrus, has become a role model for pre-teens and teens alike. The TV series is about a girl living a double life-the secret life of a pop star known as "Hannah Montana" and the average teenage life as "Miley Stewart." Targeting kids 6 to 14, the show has become a major hit since it hit the air waves in 2006.

Miley Cyrus recently had professional photographs taken by the well renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz for the Vanity Fair magazine. For some of the photos taken, she posed topless-"wrapped in what appears to be a satin bedsheet, looking over her shoulder with her back exposed" (Associated Press). While the photographs were meant to be artistic and beautiful, Cyrus has responded with apologies and embarrassment.

The photos stir up controversy over whether a 15-year-old should be portrayed in such a sexually provocative manner. According to Vanity Fair, Cyrus' original response to the photos was one of satisfaction-"I think it's really artsy. It wasn't in a skanky way. Annie took, like, a beautiful shot, and I thought that was really cool" (AP). They also emphasize how her parents were there and also approved of the shot. The photos were taken digitally so that Cyrus and her family were able to view them before their release date.

The Disney Channel criticizes Vanity Fair in a recent statement, "Unfortunately, as the article suggests, a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines" (AP). The network feels like the photographs of Cyrus are misleading and do not properly represent Cyrus.

On the Vanity Fair website, you can find an article about Miley Cyrus by Bruce Handy, behind-the-scenes photos and a video of the photo shoot. The June issue of Vanity Fair, featuring the photos, will be released on May 6^th. The recent apology released by Cyrus, has been plastered all over the internet, as well as the controversial photo.

The recent developments are not the only attack on Cyrus' image. In January of 2008, she had been the focus of tabloids as a set of photos taken at a sleep over were released. The photos clearly did not display anything sexual; however, the tabloids had a field day announcing Miley Cyrus is a lesbian. Ever since Britney Spears, teenage pop stars like Miley Cyrus, have undergone needless criticism over virtually harmless images, as tabloids search in hopes of finding another Britney to boost their sales.

Sources:

Elsworth, Catherine. "Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus apologizes for Vanity Fair shoot." Telegraph.co.uk 29 April 2008. 3 May 2008 < http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/1906936/Hannah-Montana-star-Miley-Cyrus-apologises-for-Vanity-Fair-shoot.html>.

"Miley Cyrus says Vanity Fair photo spread embarrasses her." Associated Press. April 2008. 3 May 2008 < http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gYLnT2kyPIgNUurQ71aNM3EJKpRAD90B1RA80>.