<p>Actually, I’m on the record on the blurred lines thread as being bored by thickes rapey tropes in blurred lines. </p>
<p>If there are those on this thread who believe that Miley Cyrus and her antecedent brittney are sexually empowered young performers, I’m mostly just saddened by the state of women’s sexuality in America. </p>
<p>The Brazillians do it much better.</p>
<p>I don’t know that anyone (here anyway) is saying she doesn’t own her own mouth/body/mind or can’t do with them what she wants. But when she performs for an audience, that audience has the right to express their pleasure or admiration of her talent or conversely, their disgust. </p>
<p>Most artists really do want the admiration and clapping hands of their fans, though. Sometimes an “out there” performance gets that for them. Sometimes it backfires. The Natalie Maines debacle comes to mind. She to this day is at times still rather angry about it and maintains that she is glad she exercised her right to say and do whatever she wants to onstage. Other times, though, she insinuates that it ruined her career in many ways. Even though she holds to her beliefs, the vitriol she received from her fan base hurt deeply.</p>
<p>It will be interesting to see how MC evolves as a performer.</p>
<p>I know that a few students have posted on this thread, but for the most part, it is parents who have posted. We see the actions of many young people through the parental lens - it’s only natural. I may be able to understand intellectually that someone may have done something outrarageous for publicity, to sell albums, etc., but I can’t help but think about what her parents must think and what I would think if it was my child.</p>
<p>[Billy</a> Ray Cyrus in GQ: My family is under attack by Satan, I’m ‘scared for’ daughter Miley - The Vigilant Citizen](<a href=“http://vigilantcitizen.com/latestnews/billy-ray-cyrus-in-gq-my-family-is-under-attack-by-satan-im-scared-for-daughter-miley/]Billy”>Billy Ray Cyrus in GQ: My family is under attack by Satan, I'm 'scared for' daughter Miley | The Vigilant Citizen)</p>
<p>Here’s an interview by Billy Ray a few years ago. Sounds like her handlers keep her away from him and if he doesn’t tow the line she cuts him out of her life.</p>
<p>Also I want to say that the problem with applying semiotics to performers who do not understand semiotics is a tendency to elevate what is just a type of bid for attention. Not an empowered comment about her body and her sexuality, just another awkward teen rant against mom and dad. It’s fine for what it is, but it’s not important and it isn’t what I would buy for my 12 year old. Her record buying audience. </p>
<p>Of course my girls never listen to that. They do really love Adele. Pink can sing. But not so much with MC</p>
<p>Has her record buying audience not aged with her? Before this performance, her audience was not primarily composed of her age peers?</p>
<p>I have definitely been thinking “reader response theory” during this thread.</p>
<p>Interesting article eyeamom. He completely regrets Hanna Montana and what it did to his family and his child. </p>
<p>Modern day tragedy. So predictable</p>
<p>“mini- Why are you posting on this thread? Your posts mainly are simply reminding us that you didn’t watch Miley and have no idea who she is or how she performs.”</p>
<p>Well, they seem as interesting as the rest. 
But I really want to know (seriously) about these VMAs. Did Miley win one? Who votes? Why is this a big deal if MTV doesn’t broadcast music videos anymore? I’d really like to understand the context better.</p>
<p>
As a student, I find MC’s performance to be a sad representation of what society has fallen to today. However, surprisingly, this is no different from behavior frequently observed at parties and clubs. It’s just a reflection of society. To prevent this sort of behavior, one must change an entire social attitude.</p>
<p>^^^Mini, it’s just one of many awards shows. I’ve always remembered a line from the film Annie Hall. Diane Keaton’s character has left Woody Allen’s. She tells him she is going to the Grammys with her new singer boyfriend. Allen’s character replies, “What’s with all these awards? They’re always giving out awards. Best Fascist Dictator: Adolf Hitler.”</p>
<p>He’s right. Those in the entertainment industry seems to be very invested in constantly patting each other on the back. Many of the awards shows seem to be completely redundant. It feels like there is an awards show on TV at least once a month.</p>
<p>Billy Ray and Tish are still together, despite a few false starts at divorce (one very recently). I really do think he cares about his family a lot. Miley was a celebrity kid (Billy Ray is a minor celebrity, but still a celebrity) who became a celebrity herself. No chance… Our big hometown news today is Alan Jackson’s daughter (20) got arrested last night for underage drinking and assaulting a police officer who stopped the car in which she was a passenger. Alan will NOT be happy since he is a quiet man and really tries to stay well under the radar with his family and his life (despite the material possessions that he really enjoys). </p>
<p>Mini- google is your friend.</p>
<p>Seems Shirley Temple got through somehow. Anyone read how she did not go the way of Spanky, et al of the child stars of that era?</p>
<p>^^^I read an autobiography or biography years ago. I think her saving grace was that she didn’t remember much of her early fame. She flamed out as a teenager, so was forced to find herself in other ways at still an early age. She married at 17 and divorced within a few years. The man who became her husband after that had never seen one of her films. She says her parents worked very hard to keep her from being spoiled and believing her own press. </p>
<p>If memory serves, her parents blew all her money, largely due to bad investments. Seems that she didn’t really hold it against them.</p>
<p>My opinion here but any parent who pushes their kid to be a “star” is pretty much asking for trouble. I can’t imagine what parent would choose that life for their own child. Not just the fame and children stars growing up and going wild, but the incredible amount of dream crushing rejection. </p>
<p>There are still plenty of kids who were fans of Hannah Montana. My d is 17 now, but she was by no means the youngest kid watching that show.</p>
<p>MC accomplished what I think she intended, to blow her innocent Hanna Montana image out the window. She’s all growed up now.</p>
<p>
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<p>From what I saw of the performance, this was not my impression…</p>
<p>I realize it may not have been yours either, Milkandsugar.</p>
<p>I don’t recall my D spending one minute watching the Disney Channel. I know she had zero interest in Hannah Montana. She also has zero interest in today’s Miley Cyrus. That is just not where her music tastes lie. She does like some hip hop and that’s all she liked when she about 16 because she and her friends lived to dance and that was the dance music of the day. Miley seems to truly love hip hop so, in that sense, she must feel like she’s in a dream working with some of the hip hop producers and artists that she is able to work with. Her new album has a Swiftian boyfriend ballad on it that will appeal to the younger crowd, but I don’t think she’s targeting the 12 year olds with this new album.</p>
<p>She’s not targeting the younger crowd , but I really literally do not know one 18-22 year old who likes her music. And I know a lot of girls this age. And they like pop music for a party. Or getting ready. Or whatnot. But Miley isn’t in the mix.</p>
<p>Deborah T, no that certainly was not my impression lol.
I think it is only in her own mind!!</p>