Miley Cyrus shocked viewers during the Video Music Awards when, clad in a revealing outfit, she danced provocatively and made clear references to sexual acts and drugs.
After Cyrus’ performance, the Parents Television Council publicly condemned the VMAs. Many others were outraged by Cyrus’ performance, including upset parents, audience members and Hannah Montana fans. Even Steve Chmelar, the inventor of the foam finger, told FOX Sports that “[Cyrus] took an honorable icon that is seen in sporting venues everywhere and degraded it.”
People seem to forget that Miley Cyrus is only 20 years old. She is at an age where she is a woman but is young enough to act immaturely, regardless of her fame. Imagine if Miley were at a fraternity party. Would her VMA performance be so out of place then? No. In fact, she would be the life of the party.
Just like any college-aged girl at U.Va. or elsewhere, Miley Cyrus expresses herself through her style, which is often edgy and includes little clothing. She also likes ear piercings and tattoos, as some college-aged girls do. She also “twerks” and dances provocatively; and if you walk into any college party you will see girls doing the exact same thing, minus the foam finger, maybe.
Miley Cyrus was just being a regular kid by today’s standards, and I find it troubling that parents blame celebrities when their own kids are out doing the very same thing. Sorry Mom, but I twerk, as do many girls here; and Miley Cyrus is not the problem. The problem stems from the unavoidable creation of trends.
It’s easy to blame the media for negative behaviors, but fads precede an in-your-face, 24-hour-a-day media cycle. We had hippies in the 1960s, big hair and too much neon in the 1980s. The 1990s brought black chokers, frosted tips, grunge music and an air of defiance, and the media still was not as strong as it is today. Young men and women have always picked up trends and made them popular. There is no one person or medium to blame.
As far as we know, Miley could be the new Elvis: breaking traditional barriers, dancing provocatively and starting new fashions relative to the time period. The only advice I have for Miley is to enjoy her youth and be free to follow whatever trends she wants.
Miley Cyrus is a grown woman and no longer dependent on Disney. But what she doesn’t understand, or maybe does and doesn’t care, is that she got to where she is because of her fans, the majority of whom are young girls who watched Hannah Montana. For this reason, she should be careful not to push her younger fan base away. If she really does love her fans, as she states in her constant tweeting, then Miley must be more considerate.
But if she doesn’t care about that fan base, then I say “you do you,” Miley. Twerk it out.
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