Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Horrified and Harried over Hannah


Miley Cyrus is a billion dollar Walt Disney franchise viewed and idolized by 164 million kids, aged 6 to 14, all over the world. Her show, Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel, is recognized as one of the last vestiges of home entertainment for kids that parents can be totally comfortable with and trust for its good values; represented by the program's main character. Over the past several days, Miley Cyrus racked up a surge in popular hits on the internet with photos revealing a lot more skin which could lead to pneumonia. And parents have raised a furor at being betrayed.

The once squeaky clean star had posed partially draped with a satin bed sheet for Vanity Fair, lighting up the internet and media outlets. Cyrus issued an apology for the inappropriate photos. Making matters worse is the accompanying story that suggests sexual undertones, citing a favorite show of hers on HBO, Sex and the City. Disney alleged that she was manipulated by the publication to sell magazines. The controversy was fueled further by photos of Cyrus pulling her shirt to reveal a green bra and another where she rests on the chest of a man with the man's hand on her hip.

For 2 years, Disney has reaped a gold mine from Cyrus' allure of innocence, and keeping her that way is their business model and decision. Parents have vested their trust in her, and violating this would be difficult to regain. Fuming parents who pay for expensive concert tickets and a variety of Hannah Montana merchandise are frustrated by the uphill battle they're fighting against values being presented to children. This public relations horror has threatening consequences for Disney that may end the gold standard for inoffensive child entertainment they had a claim to.

There is a constant stream of role models for children who have disappointed their fans and confused them further. This is no different. Cyrus may have been manipulated into believing this was artistic. But the suggestion of a partially clothed pose communicates being sexy is being undressed, and it's acceptable even for Hannah. How can the 6, 7, or 9 year old fans react to this? A statement claimed she was embarrassed during the shoot, but a behind the scene photo says otherwise. She does not need to undress to be popular nor to be a star, she already is. Neither does she need to undress to show her growing into adulthood, everyone knows she's 15. What drove her to agree to this racy shoot?

It's astonishing how how fast these young celebrities become adored role models of godliness, sound values, and wholesome personification of their show business characters. Nurturing such a position seems farthest from their minds once the hormones kick in. The want to be sexy, attract the opposite sex, and fantasize about it. It may be the pervasive culture of fun and freedom distorted by the predatory business practice of profit and greed. Anything and anyone can be sold, for the right price. And the once angelic role model switches to a new role, turns from her loyal fans, does what she wants with her life and her body, drops everything and removes her clothes. She expects to hear "Hooray for your daring! Cheers for your independence! Congratulations for coming of age!" She is now at the threshold of her worst nightmare.

Haaarrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

17 comments:

Carol said...

I could see this happening if she was over 18. In fact if she were, this would have been a smart career move. Sadly, she wasn't thinking about what this could do to her image as a role model for children.
Live and Learn....

The Fitness Diva said...

The man in that pic was her dad, Billy Ray, of 'Achy Breaky Heart' fame. I saw some of the pics and didn't see the incestuous bent that most are trying to make of it.

But still, not a good idea to ramp up her image like that all of a sudden.

The Fitness Diva said...

Side note:

They're all in such a rush to be these risque, steamy, soft porn-like vixens.

Madonna is the godmother of ALL this mess! lol

I guess they don't realize that they'll have plenty of time to be sexy after they've become fully grown adults.

If you're lucky, it never ends, the 'sexy', that is! ;)

Well, maybe by the time you're 70....

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

HI Carol,

I agree with you. It wouldn't be so bad if she "graduated" to this image when she's 18, even if that would still dismay parents of younger fans.

But as it is right now, when a lot rides on her image with fans worldwide, Walt Disney's investments, her forthcoming movie,it could be a lesson that would cost her a great deal. I just hope she doesn't take the route of Lindsay Lohan and the other fallen idols. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Fitness Diva,

I don't know about any incestuous slant. Billy Ray and his wife had left the shoot prior to these pics being taken, according to the reports. The one I refer to is the barebacked one.

And yes, it's a bad image for her and a promotional nightmare for Disney. Could harm her career too where parents would ask their kids to stay away from anything related to Hannah Montana. Her popularity may take a dive and may never reach its current heights. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Again,Fitness:

It's as if they would be left out if they don't experience everything while they're young, without realizing they're TOO young! It's a flawed belief this generation has conceived of what sexy is and what maturing consists of. It's not because one earns a living makes it enough to be regarded and freed as a mature individual, even if it runs to 18 million dollars a year.

They just can't wait to spend it and have a feast with what they regard as a helluva good time. Is America so conservative that the youth's hormones are busting out of its seams? Could this only happen because the pleasure creators and predators are winning, targeting even the very young?:-) --Durano, done!

Anonymous said...

See, that's where I don't understand Americans. I don't see the big deal here...

On one side, they stalk people like Spears who obviously need help, on the other side they get offended by not much.

Oh well. It's marketing anyway. I don't understand the whole Hannah thing in the first place.

KCee said...

Aw, the little lady loves her. Singing her songs at the top of her lungs whenever she remembers. Now I'm having apprehensions, because she watches that show religiously.

It's sad to see kids like her grow up too fast.

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

HI Zhu,

The big deal is that Miley Cyrus is a minor while Britney is an adult.

Miley's fans are kids 6 to 14 years who follow her character's portrayal of a squeaky clean persona with good values, parental respect, and bubbling innocence. Parents see this as a good show for their kids.

Now she starts disrobing, and all those kids that follow her, as well as their parents see a betrayal of the values and attitudes she projected she had. She morphed into a sex kitten.

American conservatism is confusing only because it's hypocritical. Since most believe a majority are conservative (which could be true), those in the public eye play along to win them over. It's a marketing game. But after one has shed the conservative cloak at 18 and beyond, they let it go.They just label them as liberal.

I think this strictly conservative atmosphere is suffocating America's youth and the struggle to break out and rebel continues, but the conservatives prevail.

This is one reason the "rebels" go underground, engaging in pre-marital sex, closet homosexuality, etc., unless they come out openly which could invite discrimination or ridicule - and more labels. Young girls at 14 or 15 are labeled sluts and nymphos, homosexuals are tagged as faggots, etc. This is what conservative America is good at. Labels that discriminate that includes slurs to demean and degrade someone who does not conform to their idea of a good American citizen - a conservative. Yet look at those conservative politicians soliciting sex in a men's comfort room, or preying on young male congressional pages.

In truth, American society is divisive and sick. Look what Fox news is doing to Barack Obama, by linking him with a pastor who had links with a radical left group in the 1960's, Obama is now a marxist/socialist. He wouldn't even pass as a full liberal! :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hello KCee,

It's not that she's growing too fast, it's that she wants to grow fast and do adult things - can't wait to breakaway from the child/minor persona and into the adult person - with all the freedoms and privileges that go with it.

I think she's beginning to show signs of rebellion against the conservative image she is being asked to project. She may want to live her own life in her true self. Whatever that may be, we have yet to find out if she successfully breaks away. :-) --Durano, done!

KCee said...

Oh yes, that was what I meant when I said she's growing up too fast.

It should have been that she wants to grow up too fast and become an adult, by portraying sexy roles and doing more mature things.

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi KC,

You're so right. Let's hope she doesn't grow up to be another Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan, that would be a sorry development. :-) --Durano, done!

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