Miley Cyrus’ Vanity Fair Photo Shoot, Scandal?
By now you may have heard that “Oh-my-goodness-that-Miley-Cyrus-posed-half-naked- for-Vanity-Fair-now-I-shouldn’t-let-my-daughter-watch-her-on-Disney-anymore!”
In Vanity Fair’s current issue on stands now, Miley Cyrus has received some backlash for photos where she’s posing in just a blanket and looking a bit too sexy for a 15-year-old. But from what I’ve seen, I wouldn’t have thought that the photos contained any sort of sexual connotation at all. So she’s backless in a blanket - she’s probably worn a backless gown or two down the red carpet since she blew up as the famed Hannah Montana.
If anything, I think she looks soft and innocent, and mature - which is the concept I think they were going for. I mean really, it’s Annie Leibovitz and both Cyrus’ parents were standing by during the actual shoot.
Looking at this photo, I can hardly compare this to Britney’s obvious “I’m not a girl, not yet a woman” Rolling Stone cover when the pop princess (??) was 17 or Brooke Shields’ sexually charged “Nothing comes between me and my Calvin’s” commercial as she’s posing with her legs parted at the age of 15.
What do you think? Was this photo inappropriate for a 15-year-old young pop star and should she have apologized for this photo shoot?
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{Image: VanityFair.com}
On April 29th, 2008 Nikki said:
it’s not a bad photo for a 15yr old and it’s not “sex symbol” kinda photo. But looking at this photo gave me a bit of goosebumps (bad way) sorry to all Miley fan but her face is too whtie compared to her body, it could be a shot that’s meant to be that way, but I find it a bit …eerie….it doesn’t look sexy for me..but..”ghostly” hehehe peace to all miley fans out there
On April 29th, 2008 Brittany said:
It is inappropriate for a child this young. Society has made it seem like it’s “okay”, but I would wring my sister’s neck if I saw her posin’ in pictures like this. It is rather suggestive and, in my eyes, “too sexy” for a 15-year old. I don’t know..
On April 29th, 2008 YukiNatsuo said:
looking at the photo its not reminding me of anything sexual (the headlines for her reminded me of Vanessa Hudgens naked pic)…. in fact, i tink its kinda like a good exposure for her in the pic…. innocent yet strong as a woman kinda way…
On April 29th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Nikki,
I agree, she does look a little ghastly. But I do like that the color of her lips are played up. Overall, I think it’s a really interesting photo that’s meant to be talked about - from an art point of view. The gray tones are highlighted with reds and peaches in her skin make for an intriguing shot, to say the least.
I think that the mothers just got too caught up in what she was wearing, or not wearing in this case.
On April 29th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hey Brittany,
I totally hear ya and respect what you’re saying. I think if I saw my 15-year-old sister in a photo like this, I might feel the same way.
On April 29th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi YukiNatsuo,
I definitely think that the media and moms hyped this one up. It’s not as bad as some of the other previous teen stars I’ve seen like I mentioned above. She still has an aura of innocence - it’s not overtly sexual at all. If you take a look at the other photo of her and her dad, it’s also very sober - definitely not looking like a pop princess at all.
Hope your Tuesday is going well!
On April 29th, 2008 Eru said:
I think it’s a beautiful picture showing a young woman, and that’s all.
Pretty artistic, and definitely not sexual.
On April 29th, 2008 Jennifer said:
It’s funny, we must be thinking the exact same thing. I too thought it wasn’t as provacative as the Brittany Spears Rolling Stone cover.
I think it has to do with how she’s posing and that it looks more artsy than tartsy.
On April 29th, 2008 Denise said:
I thought this was too exposed for a 15 year old.
There is a reason people wear ‘backless” anything, and that includes clutching a sheet to your nude torso and showing your back. It doesn’t say “15 year old”, it says “I’m not trying to look sexy but I know this makes me look sexy, which is really sexy, isn’t it!”
The photographer knew it and so did Billy Ray, who needed some press to sell more mags. To complain about the pic just when the mag is being released is brilliant. Boy, he’s smarter than he looks!
This pic is actually gross, she looks like a ghost. Think off all of the ways she could have been pictured, and this is what they picked?
It looks like she’s been sucked dry by Hollywood. Is that what this is supposed to symbolize? Hmmm…
On April 30th, 2008 _Hermione and BFF said:
We don’t think this photoshoot “scandal” means Miley is tryin’ to be sexy in a gross way. I mean, hello! She’s not totally naked or wateva. If you were put in that position, and you were gettin payed big money for it, wouldn’t you do it?! Anyway, her parents were supervising her. She is not a perv, and that picture is hardly exposing! It only shows her back! I mean, its like wearing a bikini, somthin we’ve all done.
On April 30th, 2008 kitkat said:
i hate miley. she’s trying to get more and more attention…the wrong way.
On April 30th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Eru,
Thanks for your comment! I definitely agree that it’s a beautiful picture - even though I’m not too find of Miley herself
Hope you’re having a great day!
On April 30th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Jennifer,
If anything, the thing that bothered me about the photo was that she’s so bony. That can’t be a good thing to show off, ya? And I definitely agree with Donny Deutsch when he mentioned that the pic was published for Vanity Fair, not some mag that a 12-year-old girl would read. The exposure to young girls would have never been known had their parents not made such a huge deal about it.
Anyway, off my soap box now - LOL!
Hope you’re having an awesome Wednesday!
On April 30th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Denise,
Your point of view is really interesting about how she looks ghastly like Hollywood has sucked the life out of her..
Thanks for your perspective on this!
On April 30th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi _Hermione and BFF,
Thanks for your comment! I totally think that this got spun out of control as both her parents where at the photo shoot. They must have thought this was okay for their young daughter.
On April 30th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi kitkat,
As I’ve mentioned, I’m not a fan of Miley - but I don’t see the huge deal with this picture. Some rumblings I can imagine, but for the most part it kinda blew out of control in my honest opinion.
On April 30th, 2008 Lea said:
Hello Lilan,
I haven’t been able to reply lately, work and school has deprived me of my social life. Nevertheless, know that I continue to read your blogs.
Okay, so, I felt like I needed to put my 2-cents in. First, everything and anything in Hollywood that can stir up a conversation is good publicity…there is no bad publicity. Makes me ask, is she releasing a movie or CD soon? Does her father have a new gig? Sorry but I don’t know much about her other than she is Hanna Montana.
Second, I don’t think it’s appropriate. I definitely will not condone a sister or a daughter of 15 to get her photo taken just as Miley did. I feel like if I do then it becomes an open invitation to go and spread her legs on the next shoot. But that’s just me.
Finally, I agree with the comments about her pale skin, the makeup, the hair too gothic-like. But also, there are many things that contributes to the “suggestiveness” of this photo. If she was wearing a backless dress the photo would have different impression/story. But she’s holding up a fabric without wearing an underwear/bra, that’s different. Next, she’s hunched back saying: look at my back and my bare skin (as oppose to leaning back or sitting straight). Also, she has this dishieveled hair which I cannot help but connect to sexuality. If her hair was all primped and proper then the effect would have been different. Then theres the “look” on her face, she’s not smiling as in showing her teeth, her chin down, and the eyes reads: are you teased? I’m innocent but not really.
Cut my novel short, I’m not at all at rage but I think this photo is inappropriate for her age. And shame on the parents they are the ones who should apologize, they are expoiting her. Everything she does needs their consent since she’s a minor. They probably couldn’t wait to stamp their approval on the proof, they new what was next:ca-ching!!
Ciao =)
On April 30th, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Lea,
Thanks for your comment! I can certainly agree that some new release of hers or her father will quickly follow the heels of this debate.
I also thank you for your thorough point of view. It depicts a clearer message of why there’s so much controversy around this photo for so many people and now it raises the question to me of “what was the general idea behind this photo shoot?” If only we could get Annie Leibovitz to comment…
I suppose we’ll have to keep our ears open to the conclusion of the debate. Nonetheless, I appreciate your point of view very much and am glad to have the opportunity to dialog with you!
Thanks again for stopping by, hopefully your schedule will wind down a bit - the school is almost over! What are you studying?
Have a great Wednesday!
On April 30th, 2008 MandyPandy said:
Well, those are technically satin sheets (hence, the ’suggestion’ of sex), and from what I hear, her parents were conveniently absent during the solo part of the shoot (her grandma and teacher were there, apparently).
While I understand that along with the rumpled bed-head, smeared lippie and the satin sheets the effect is supposed to be suggestive (I’ve no doubt that’s what Annie Liebowitz was going for), I’m more concerned with Ms. Cyrus’ protruding ribcage than anything else. Basically, homegirl needs a face-wipe, a hairbrush and a warm meal, in no particular order. This troll and her photos are about as sexy as a glass of warm milk.
This is such a yawn, and yet A. Liebowitz, Miley Cyrus and Vanity Fair are getting tons of publicity. VF probably fanned the flames of this nonevent to spur sales. That said, I hope it destroys Miley career. I hate these tween twits.
On May 1st, 2008 Lilan said:
Hi Mandy,
That’s certainly interesting that both her parents were missing during this part of her shoot. In the Vanity Fair behind the scenes slideshow I remember her mother “looking on” in a couple of those.
This whole ordeal was definitely a media play of some sort, its becoming apparent. I just saw on TV this morning that Miley was named one of People’s most beautiful - or did I imagine that?
At any rate, I personally don’t like hearing about her and I just want the whole to blow over so that I don’t have to hear her name any more.
On May 29th, 2008 Lover said:
I love this pic. She looks so sexy and Emo. I love emo girls.
On May 30th, 2008 nicole said:
heyy you guys out there ok i’m doing a project on miley cyrus for school and i’ve been reading what you guys are saying it’s kina funny cuz i’m just saying what i have read and i wanted to know if she wanted to do this hole naked scandel thing or who was ?? kk well bye bye
Nicole
On June 3rd, 2008 Liz said:
i hate this pic…..
i dislike miley cyrus…
it’s too provacative for a 15 year old. if it was my friend doing this i would hit her on her head and say what are you doing? it was probably just for attention. i swear she’s becoming a slut like paris hilton. if it’s suppose to be artsy sure i’m fine with it but i think it’s another media attention grabber. a 15 year old who happens to be miley cyrus just doesn’t sound like it’s suppose to be artsy, it’s sounds like a way to make money.
On July 10th, 2008 Jen said:
I totally think Miley is going out of control on this whole Hollywood thing. I used to look up to her but now with all the slutty pics and rumors, i cant stand her! This pic is really seductive looking for being only 15. And her back looks really boney and its not that attractive. I really dont think this pic is appropiate for her.