FT Blog: Miley Cyrus and the photos of doooooooom
We’re getting a flood of comments about the new Miley Cyrus/Vanity Fair photos and so I thought I’d write a quick blog about where I, personally, stand on the issue.
The ones last week, with the bra and the boy? There is a reason I put the word “scandal” in those inverted commas. Yeah, she’s 15, big whoop. If I recall those days correctly (and thanks to incredibly detailed diaries, I do), I certainly did my fair share of boy-draping back then. The only reason it was documented in journal writing and not on the internet was because just about no one had internet connections at home, at school or anywhere outside of very expensive internet cafes - and digital cameras? forget it.
I didn’t expect Miley to apologise for them because I thought she took exactly the right angle with the first lot of photos last year - she’s a teenager, fooling around with friends, no big deal. So I was surprised about the apologising comments she made about them - and the Vanity Fair ones. If I was her, my biggest issue with the Vanity Fair ones wouldn’t have been the suggestion of semi-nudity, it would have been because she looks really pasty and deathly in the pictures. She looks so healthy normal but those pictures? Like a creature of the night. And not in a good way.
Our story is intended to report her comments more than criticise any of the pictures. The possible exploitation angle of the Vanity Fair ones is much more of a concern for me than whether or not a little flesh is showing. She’s not flashing anything pink - she would show off more in a bikini - but if she’s been pressured into those pics, then that’s a problem and not Miley’s problem - other than to stop it happening again. WE ARE NOT CRITICISING MILEY!












Comments
# Danette on April 29th, 2008 at 12:02 am
Have we forgotten the early days of Brooke Shields? Kids in the media are still just kids and most are still star struck themselves when it comes to finding themselves in the midst of a “famous” photographer. Shame on Vanity Fair on the one hand but on the other hand you have to give it to them as well…they just got a boat load of free advertising!
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# irv on April 29th, 2008 at 12:18 am
What is wrong with her perverted dad, something going on in his hillbilly head.
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# jason on April 29th, 2008 at 5:41 am
you have no right to criticize Miley Cyrus!! People make mistakes, most hollywoods kids eventually make mistakes!!
gizmo
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# Ben from Baltimore, Maryland, USA on April 29th, 2008 at 12:20 am
She shouldn’t have done these pictures. Why didn’t her famous father say no to these pictures? Joy Behar on ABC TV’s The View here in the US had her on opinion ohy he said yes and it was so that Billy Ray could try to revive his own career. And I think that she is right.
Ben
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# Lexy on April 29th, 2008 at 3:46 am
Hey,Miley my name is Stephanie, I am 17 years old and I’m helping my little sister Alexis who is 13 post you up a letter of encouragement.Ignore all the comments that are up here,nobody knows exactly what you are going through(unless they are a celebrity who’s getting alot of draft for making a mistake).I know it has to be tough living the celebrity life,getting caught up in the now,and having to worry about every move you make because it might be reported in one way or another.I just have one request,I know people are saying you are a Christian Im not sure you are and even if you aren’t please don’t end up like Brittney Spears,Madonna,or any other teen pop sensation who as they got older have taken the wrong path.Make a difference,show all those publishers who wanna write bad stuff about you and the rest of the world who you really are,that your not like that.And as for people saying your ugly they know yor not,their just jealous.The only thing I would say is to get a tan,but I’m not trying to be rude its just a word of advice.
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# laura on April 29th, 2008 at 3:51 am
I am 16 and i would NEVER do this… yes I am not famous… but still. Miley has done some very “scandeles” pictures… and the first time they were leaked on the internet… I was like… that’s okay she made a mistake and she can learn from that… the second time that happened it really made me mad because she is suppose to be a ROLE MODEL. I don’t know about you but I sure don’t want a “tart” as a role model.
I don’t know if you have younger sisters… but I do. My younger sister adores Miley Cyrus aka Hannah Montana… and those pictures that she has posted or “leaked” on the internet… I sure don’t want my younger sister getting the idea of “oh that’s okay to do… I want to do it…”
i have more to say but whatever…
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# J on April 29th, 2008 at 4:08 am
WHAT THE F**K IS WRONG WITH YOU AMERICA?!
So what if she posed in a suggestive pose. It’s no different than a 15 year old model posing. At least it was tastefully done. And she did not show any of her assets.
Lele Sobieski was in a bra and panties for Eyes Wide Shut… do you see her doing drugs or acting like a train wreck… NO! She went to college and is acting again.
GOD! just because her employer is Disney does not mean she’s supposed to be Miss Innocent. Vanessa Hudgens posed privately for her bf… and it was leaked and people get angry. They re NOT Disney characters.. they are teens. people. GOD! get a backbone.
At least Billy Ray was there at the shoot. That shows some good parenting. He trusts her not to reveal it all. I wish he could tell America and the media to not tell him how to raise his kids.
He’s being there for Miley… possibly more than you all are with yours’… bc you freaks let Hannah Montana raise your kids. Tell your damn kids to read a book and be themselves. I’m not telling you how to raise your kids, but jeez stop telling him ho to raise his.
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# Carrie on April 29th, 2008 at 5:21 am
I think it is terrible that these photos were taken. Where was her Mom (manager) & Father? I certainly DO NOT want my 3yr old grand daughter watching her show any longer. I found them offensive.
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# gina on April 29th, 2008 at 6:56 am
um get over it she was wearing pants, and she was covered, big deal you see her back! its just like if she were shot in a bathingsuit, and at least its not like vanessa hudgens… i do however think that she was a little young for this type of photo shot however she was clothed and all you see is her back so people need to get over it!
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# Franshane on April 29th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Hi im 13 and I use to be the biggest fan of Miley Cyrus AKA Hannah Montana but since I heard that she is doing a semi nude photo she just lost me support i never tought she would do this i tought she was smart enough to say no but i was soo wrong i betcha all that she will end up like Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears!!! HOW SCANDOLOUS
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# sarah on April 29th, 2008 at 9:55 am
In my oppion i think people are being to hard on Miley. She is only 15 and is allowed to make small mistakes like every other kid her age in the world. Even the Queen of England makes mistakes, we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. So she had a few photos taken of her half naked. big whop. I’m sure she is feeling really guilty right now and has learnt from her mistake. I was and still am a big fan of Miley Cyrus and i think everyone is making a big deal over nothing.
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# Steph on April 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I think that the pictures were fine she is 15 for god sake she can do what she wants. Her dad was there so it was fine yep if she did it without her dad being there then i would think it is wrong but she looks fine and she isn’t showing anythink so it is fine ..x
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# Larry on April 29th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
If an elementary teacher had pictures like this on his computer what would we say????
Pornographic???
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# Annna on April 29th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Stephen, her dad was not there, according to what disney is saying Billy Ray, left for the last photo, and left her with her grandma, I don’t really see anything wrong with this picture, I just don’t like how she looks that’s it.. the one that freak me out is the one where she’s possing with her dad, it looks really creepy.. plus that’s why Disney is saying that VF manipulated a 15 year old cause her parents weren’t there, just grandma and her teacher.. I really like this girl, she’s really entertainning and I agree with “J” PARENTS SHOULD STOP TRYING TO BLAME TV FOR THE WAY THEYIR KIDS ACT, AND BE REAL PARENTS, EDUCATE THEMSELVES THEIR KIDS. Hannah Montana is the best program in Disney Channel, I watch it with my cousin who is 10, and is the only program in the channel that leaves a positive mesaage, besides, what happens on the show is nothing to do with her real life,,, just because you have kids, buy them stuff, let them watch tv, and ground them it doesn’t mean you are a real dad or mom, that you have to earn it.. If God, wanted Tv to raise kids I don’t see why would he give parents, if most of them are really stupid, and Inmature, My role models are and will always be the women in my family cause they are the ones that raised me up… not tv
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# Horse Freak on April 30th, 2008 at 12:15 am
I hate how Miley is just like “Well I’m sorry! And embarrased” It’s so stupid! i can’t believe her parents even let her do it! She’s 15 and always tells Hilary D. I want to be a good girl like u! Well Miley your not! i mean if u go on utube and type in bad miley pics bad things show up! sry miley i used to like u but now i hate u!
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# dragonwoman30 on April 30th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
My daughter watches her everyday and looks at the magazines of her at Walmart and what is that saying to her? This is child pornography!! So wrong!
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# Erica on April 30th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Miley did nothing wrong, Disney, Vanity Fair and her parents have. Why would a 15 year old be part of a photo shoot for an adult magazine that does not reach her audience? Why would any photo require her to take of her shirt at 15 years old, artistic or otherwise? The whole thing seems inappropriate.
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# BRIANNA on April 30th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
i totally agree w/ u……and she knew that it might would ruin her rep…but that was a chance she was willing 2 take……but i do agree………y would she b takin part of an adult mag…..her parents hvae the p[art 2 b balmed themselves…
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# AJ on April 30th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
All of you should give Miley a break. Yeah she made a mistake, we all do. Preasure is hard to deal with and almost everybody can relate to that. She is 15 and still has time to change her ways. Give her another chance to change.
Any way Miley, you should get your act together. There are alot of people, not to mention kids, who look up to you. What kind of example do you want to set for them. A good one I hope. But taking pictures like that isn’t going to set a good example for the kids. All I’m saying is that you should stop and think. Think about your fans, and family. Would they want you to act like this? They wouldn’t want you to throw your career away on something as silly as, revealing pictures of yourself, would they. I know that being famous is must be great. The fame, attention, fans, and money. But you can’t let it get to you. There is a lot of preasure and almost every move that you make is being watched. This is why you have to just be your self. Don’t try to be someone your not. A couple of years ago you were a little girl and all you wanted to do was sing like your dad. Now your dream has come true. Not only do you have fame and fortune, you also have the respect of fans. You don’t want to do anthing folish to lose that. You’re getting older and with each day there is a new chalenge. Now there is only on question left. Are going to change and stop taking these kinds of pictures, or are you going to keep doing them? It’s your call.
But just know that no matter what you choose to do you will still be a role model to me.
Love your fan,
AJ
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# BRIANNA on April 30th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
HEY MILEY! WOW!!1 THIS WAS A BIG SHOCKER! BUT U DO GET PUT IN2 SITUATIONS AND UR MIND GETS TWISTED AND U REALY DONT KNOW WHATS HAPPIN…..well i did come across the picture with the bra and the boy…..i was like whoa! i dont think that needs 2 b up there….but it was…..and when i heard about the issue with the magazine…i do believe that it wasnt careless…..many of my friends started sayin stuff and so have t.v.s! it want careless of u 2 do somethin like that…..u knew what would happen…..it might ruin ur reputation but that was a chance u were willin 2 take…..im a big fan of urs!!!nad im not tryin 2 sound mean or n e thing…..but it mightve put a hard hit on ur carrer! but ur gettin older and u have 2 start makin adult decisions…but hey! im still a fan despite all thats happend!!!and i wish that it wouldnt have…the one with the mag.. yeah! u ment 2 do that and u knew that it would go opened and public w/ the world….but the bra…..issue…not so sure!!!1 but i do wish u luck in all that u do….adn wish tehy would stop makin such a big issue of all this!
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# lisanne on May 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 am
The pictures of Miley are not that bad. Yes she is 15 however nothing is showing unlike another Disney star that had pics posted of her on the internet exposing everything. Give Miley a break~!
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# fgfgd on June 13th, 2008 at 2:25 am
hot
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# j&j on June 13th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Miley this is your holy friend, QUIT STRIPPING PLEASE
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# Unknown girl on June 21st, 2008 at 12:15 am
hey miley why you are not more like selena and demi..they are so cool..i met them both I met selena at the Disney channel games and I met demi in the camp rock premiere in new york city.they are such a great girls.. they are NOT like you,you are always with a different boy now.you are with one..that i dont know if its true but i guess its true ..who is 22 yearss old..oh my godd 22..and u are just 15..what are u thinking aboutt..you were mi RODEL MODEL..you know you are not moreee..
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# Unknown girl on June 21st, 2008 at 12:17 am
anddd i dont know if you appear..in the magazien semi nudee..just cuzz. u think u are HOT!! well..let me tell u something u are NOT hot.. baby ..you are such an ugly girl
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# Miley Cyrus Fan on August 3rd, 2008 at 4:23 am
I think that the controvery over the Vanity Fair pictures was overblown. Miley could have done something much worse, and this wasn’t the end of the world - rather she was just testing the waters of a more mature market.
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