It's valuable to actually watch her performance before judging it. You can see it here.
Personally, I'm surprised that people are surprised. Performers who seek attention have been transgressing cultural boundaries for generations and using sex as a tool to attract attention is nothing new. In my youth, Madonna became a star by outraging parents with overtly sexual dances, songs and outfits. I don't understand how the new performance by Miley differs from what Madonna did three decades ago.
How do you feel about this story? Is it Miley's past as a wholesome Disney child-star that upsets people who can't see her in an adult light? Is it that we believe sexual display is inherently wrong or degrading to women? What explains the social attention this got?
My favorite aspect of the national uproar is a satirical piece in The Onion which captures the cynicism of CNN in its reporting on the controversy. You can read it here.
nope, I don't get the 'controversy', I don't view it as such - Christina Aguilara, Britney Spears, Madonna, Nicki Minaj - all women who have performed in a very sexy way and seems to have been very upsetting for some, for me I think it's a very natural progression when you grow up. I got to 18/19 and discovered I enjoyed wearing next to nothing (for a bit!), it didn't diminish my intelligence and I didn't feel degraded, on the contrary I felt empowered and in control - Miley has grown up x
ReplyDeleteI think it is the whole post-Disney thing that upsets people - and motivates Miley. Younger kids looked up to her and are a little confused by this. Me, I'm just tired of hearing about it.
ReplyDeleteThe meme in which a photo of this is photoshopped onto serious stories such as Chelsea Manning getting sentenced to 35 years so that people will pay attention to it is hilarious and hits so close to home.
ReplyDeleteNo controversy for me...
ReplyDeleteI really don't like her new image !!! I liked her when she was mo role model for kids :)
ReplyDeleteCome and see me too on:
www.olivains.com
Everything these days is blown out of proportion ... I am saddened though that our pop stars, who are some peoples 'Role Models' act the way they do. I think she is desperately trying to break out of her Disney character but going about it the wrong way. Miley, Justin, and on and on and on!!!!
ReplyDeleteI mostly avoided this "news" for the week, although how could you miss it! (Loved that Onion article, btw) Having watched it just now for the first time, seriously, what is the big deal?? Like you, Ally, I saw Madonna do "Like a Virgin" and writhe around in a wedding dress on the stage - shocking the world! And it's not just women - remember when Adam Lambert got in trouble for "simulating a sex act" on stage? This will blow over, Miley will grow up a little, then the next salacious thing will all cause everyone to wring their hands like glove-wearing ladies. Good grief. There is so much more going on in the world.
ReplyDeleteSheila, you're right. As always.
DeleteYou're right, you beat me to the punch! GREAT post - I wasn't even thinking about Madonna, but yeah! you're on the money. And thanks for the Onion link. I haven't read an Onion since the panhandler started stealing them to sell to suburban tourists.
ReplyDeleteI feel like Madonna's "Vogue" VMA performance was much more scandalous (and fabulous).
ReplyDeleteI'm personally nonplussed. This is the same girl who brought an ice cream stand out and danced on the "pole" right?
ReplyDeleteI think it was tacky of her, but whatever. It's what performers do. Always trying to out-do one another with scandal.
A lot of the criticism I had encountered was more focused on the fact that she, well, 'sucked' at the shocking sort of dancing and singing she tried (not where her talent lies).
ReplyDeleteNo surprise another young woman succumbed to the pressures of childhood stardom and said 'yes' to "re-branding" herself with a shock factor.
i just thought it was a little stupid. I mean she could have been a lot more sexy but it just looked like she was high and it went all wrong. Had it happened at a friend's party everyone would have laughed it off but it happened on national television and it wasn't even done well.
ReplyDeleteI can't stand it that people feel they've been betrayed by her. Miley hasn't been sweet innocent Hannah Montana for years now. She is no longer a Disney rep and is free to do whatever she wants... including making herself look like a gross idiot. But hey, that's what the VMAs are for! It's a shock show. Something outrageous happens every year and quite frankly I find it a little amusing reading what "disaster" struck the VMAs the day after.
ReplyDeleteDidn't see what the big uproar was all about. I've seen much worse. She was just doing what Madonna and Britney have done as far as trying to be sexy, shock, and get people talking. I must be in the minority because I kinda liked it. ha I think the song lyrics may have been somewhat controversial, but I don't even know what they are so I can't speak to that issue.
ReplyDeleteWhen you truly don't have "talent" you do whatever you have to in order to stay in the limelight. Same ol', same ol'.
ReplyDeleteAnd who cares? I don't even watch the "news" anymore either. There is more "reality" going on than "fluff" stories like this.
Meanwhile, true social and economic problems just get swept under the proverbial "rug".
I'm tired of it all..
Well--the teddybear stuff was icky--but mostly I thought it wasn't sexy at all--just stupid.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't really surprised either. As you said, there's been many, many stars who've done similar provocative acts like this before. I think you see it especially with former child stars, because they feel like they have to prove that they're no longer children. I thought the performance was ridiculous and over the top, but I feel that way about most pop artists. If people are surprised, they haven't been paying much attention.
ReplyDeleteI am doing my best to ignore the whole thing. I watched the video as you suggested. I didn't find it entertaining, or even sexy, just raunchy, in an "I'm-trying-to-offend-you" sort of way. I thought the whole teddy bear theme was unappealing and uninteresting and rather...random. As far as Madonna is concerned, she has never been my cup of tea, but I feel that she is talented and very hard-working. I haven't heard enough of Miley Cyrus to render an opinion of her actual talent.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, as far as "Pop Culture" is concerned, I'm interested when a performer brings excellence and beauty, none of which I saw on the video.
As far as the public reaction is concerned? It's just another week in the mainstream news. You have to pay attention in order to know about important things, and you're to be exposed to a lot of crap to get it. I recommend the McNeil-Lehrer Report for news that matters.
I hope Miley matures in her artistic expression.
Ugh I wish people would focus on things other than Miley Cyrus. I personally don't like her, but it's not because I feel she's "too vulgar" or whatnot, I just don't like her music/acting/whatever, haha.
ReplyDeleteI agree that she's not doing anything different from anyone else, I wish her well.