Billy's Blog

Who Is To Blame Over Miley Photos?


Comments (11)

Miley Cyrus in Vanity Fair The topless photo of Miley Cyrus in Vanity Fair seems like a really bad idea that nobody opposed.  Not even Miley's (we thought) protective parents.  And almost as provocative as the topless photo of Miley clutching nothing more than a blanket (every child loves their blankie) is the shot of her with her dad, lounging like lovers, baring the midriff.  We get it, dad and daughter are close but this is a little creepy. She's not 10. She's starting to appear like a woman.

 

I like Miley a lot and I think Billy Ray is as genuine as they get.  The fact that neither dad nor daughter, nor the real backbone of the family, MOM, voiced opposition to this unfortunate invasion of innocence stuns me.

 

Let me be clear, this photo disturbs me greatly.  I have a nine-year-old daughter whose youth and innocence I am desperately trying to extend for as long as humanly possible.  Like many parents, I saw Miley Cyrus as my single greatest ally in this effort.


Judging by Miley's comments in USA Today about how it all went down, I can take a calculated, measured guess as to how this happened.

Miley told Vanity Fair, "I think it's really artsy. It wasn't in a skanky way. Annie took, like, a beautiful shot, and I thought that was really cool. That's what she wanted me to do, and you can't say no to Annie. She's so cute. She gets this puppy-dog look and you're like, OK.' "

 

According to Miley, Annie Leibovitz coaxed her into it...giving the "puppy-dog please". Uggh. Gross.  Miley and her parents were no doubt flattered that "the great Annie Leibovitz" had agreed to photo her. Remember, Annie's job is to "take" from the subject...to get out of them all she can.  But Miley is 15 and a role model for girls all over the world...Can't we just leave innocent alone? 

 

Celebrity publicists all over town will sell their firstborn (exaggeration) to get their clients in Vanity Fair...in other words, its the elite, the tops.  Celebs who do get chosen to be in it know that there are no holds barred in a Vanity Fair interview.  They better be ready to give up their most intimate, guarded secret.  VF is the Oprah of print, but even more choice.  But Miley likely doesn't have many juicy details or hidden secrets in her young life...she's a good natured, balanced 15-year-old.

 

It appears that gap was filled by Annie and her camera. The article won't matter at all and most people won't even read it.

 

Booooo! 

 

"Boo" to Annie for pushing the idea...if in fact she did. All it's done is upset a lot of people.

 

"Boo" to Miley's managers and parents for being star struck by  "artsy" Annie past the point of good judgment...if in fact they were.

 

"Boo" to Vanity Fair for putting out a statement saying, "…everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley. In fact, when Bruce Handy interviewed Miley, he asked her about the photo and she was very cheerful about it and thought it was perfectly fine."  Claiming Miley's "embarrassment" over the photo is just buyer's remorse doesn't change the fact that this is a BAD idea.

 

Miley was mishandled, let down and she may feel some backlash from parents who used to let their kids consume all products Miley.  She certainly has some sucking up to do.

11 Comments

Irene Taylor said:

I am a mother of a 6 year old Hannah Montana fan. I would like to tell Miley...Hang tough!!!!! I do not find anything offense in these photos. But for sake of your own growth, own the decision you made. If it was a mistake then just admit your mistake and move on. I can't see you being manipulated to do anything you don't want to do, which is what we as mothers want our daughters to do. If this is an escape from the teen years that's OK, but own your decision. That's what your fans want from you, honesty!

Pam Coleman said:

This pic doesn't even look like her! Wy do people alays want to urn a good, Christian girl bad!!!!

King Of Pain said:

To support or justify Paedophilia is the same as abusing that child.

C said:

I think Annie Leibovitz coaxed her into posing for the picture. Her father was obviously not there or he would never have let it happen. Yes the photo is art, but it all depends on how you look at it but then you have to remember that you are seeing a 15 year old girl -- which is something Annie should have saw through her lens FIRST before taking the shot. Shame on Annie because she is getting the publicity and shame on Vanity Fair who is also getting the publicity --- they will make more money and poor Miley has to do the damage control for her own career.

Peter said:

As a professional photographer I can't take photos of those under 18 without the parents' consent. This is the law. Annie does not "puppy dog" people. She is professional and covers her hind end especially in parental release and photography.

If anyone is to blame it would be her parents pushing her into being a billionaire.

Kathy said:

Billy, man, thank you sooo much for encouraging us parents who see so much trash from Hollywood! We need to know that there are some reputable, quality, responsible people still in the business. Your 9- year old daughter has been blessed, obviously. Kudos to you and your wife both as you raise yours to be as God intended - pure of heart, mind, and soul.

brittany said:

i think that this picture is a very bad picture of her. anyother time i would think she is like the prettiest thing ive ever seen but this picture is a bad 1, she looks almost dead. and i sort of cant believe her parents let her do this!! i mea she is my celebrity role model and she sort of let me down.

Twyla said:

As a mother of a 5 year old who loves Hannah Montana, I really think it's much ado about nothing. She's 15, and almost always perfect. She has made Disney a lot of money so to me one pic that somepeople dont like, there are tons that do support and love her. Be Strong, your family wont let you drift to far off even if its what other people are saying.

Amy Truesdale Simons said:

Well, I'm glad that I wasn't the only parent who thought the photo of Billy Ray and Miley looked a bit incestuous, and that these photos were in poor taste. Maybe this will help take her "career" from "tween queen" to something more adult, but at 15 years of age, I wish this would happen later on and not now.

As the parent of 5 daughters, two of the younger are fans of Ms. Cyrus, I expect more from her as a role model. Granted, the fan base for Miley probably doesn't read Vanity Fair, but their parents do! Let kids be kids. They seem to grow up too fast these days, and it doesn't help that celebrities are helping to make that happen with images like these!

Furthermore, as I also have daughters Miley's age, I know that these kids are hitting puberty and becoming aware of their own sexuality. Still, if you can't wear it to school (bare midriffs) then we don't allow it at home.

It's up to the parents and in this case, Miley's parents (who were there) AND her handlers used poor judgement. The photographer did what she does best, but there were other adults present who should have given this more thought. It's my understanding that these were shot with a digital camera AND that they were approved before the magazine went to print by Miley and her "Handlers". The remorse and apology comes from the fact that there is backlash from people like myself who wish that the role model for 6-10 year olds everywhere wouldn't have done this.

andrea 10yrs old said:

i liked you untill this happend and found out you were going out for playboy i dont want to be a fan any more i hate u

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