Reply to the Miley Cyrus Discussion

I took this photo from a blog entry on the Vanity Fair site about the Miley photoshoot. Initially I had just wanted to see what pics I could find but then I browsed through the comments by readers and was pretty shocked by the volume of outraged posters.
It seemed just slightly hypocritical that so many would use profanity and degrading terms to oust Miley for her misrepresentation of a wholesome kid-friendly idol. For example, the first comment about the article reads:

At 12:46 pm on April 28, 2008, dbram wrote:

Miley give me a break.

You did an interview with an adult magazine.

You did a photo shoot with one of the best celebrity photographers in the world. Someone who is known for racy shots.

You had your father and other "handlers" on the set with you.

And now you are embarrassed? Is this after your sponsors got pissed?

Give me a fucking break.

The point this commenter makes is a valid one, though, is Miley embarrassed because of the photographs or because of the reaction to them. Earlier, Jess talked about the difference between tween idol Daniel Radcliff's public nudity and Miley's as being art vs exploitation or male vs female but I think there is also an element of owning the event. Radcliff was not at all apologetic for his performance and, in fact, very adamantly stood by his decision to take the role. I think this made it easier for the public to live with this because it showed a certain professional maturity. And the implications of their nudity is different. Radcliff performs nude as an expression of his character and a fulfillment of the vulnerability of that psyche. Cyrus, even though not exposing an part of her body, tenuously holds the sheet over her bare top which imbues the image with an inherent seductive sexuality and sensuality. Really, she is more covered than if she were wearing a swimsuit so it is not an issue of nudity but an issue of sexuality. I think the adult public that are concerned for the children that look up to her are reacting against the implications of the photo and not the photo itself which plays into the issue of age, since Daniel was 18 before he took the role and Miley is still a minor. What I take away from this situation, is how deeply touchy the American public is about taboo issues of sexuality; especially, female sexuality and the representation of it in their stars. The reaction shows that people are taking Cyrus very seriously as a key influence on their children and the public expectation of childhood.

Olivia