If we look around at the world we live in today we can definitely say times have changed and we ain’t in Kansas anymore. This change has brought forth a new generation of pop culture, and with this comes new trends that overthrow the old.
The time of classical elegance and conserved attire is no more. Now, whenever we switch on the TV or get on the Internet we come across sexually explicit images of sexuality and a generation of young Hollywood competing to be more edgy than their fellow celebrities.
Just consider the mother of all strangeness and sexual appeal: Lady Gaga. Replicating the 80’s image of Madonna and Cher, Lady Gaga revolutionized the way pop sensations were seen and began a trend of provocative and odd behavior. In a way she influenced a generation of stars such as Katy Perry, Nikki Minaj and even Miley Cyrus (MiCy for short). This influence has changed the way the media and the rest of the world view rising stars.
I want to focus on a hot topic that has been on everyone’s minds for the last couple weeks: MiCy’s performance at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards aka the VMAs. Most of us have seen MiCy on the Disney channel in years past as the stereotypical wholesome family gal. However her recent transformation from Disney chic to booty poppin’ diva has had the world talking and left many wondering what in the world she was thinking?
If you saw the VMAs then you witnessed the event I am referring to. A recap for those who were not tuned in, MiCy performed her hit song “We Can’t Stop” during the VMAs. The performance started off with dancing teddy bears, scant clothing, sexual gestures with a foam finger, serious tongue action, booty slapping, and twerking. By the end even more clothes were shed . Eventually Rob Thicke joined the act with hit his song “Blurred Lines” and at this point MiCy added to the now controversial performance by grinding, twerking and doing other sexual gestures with Thicke on stage. Catch the recap on YouTube if you’re one of the three people who haven’t seen it.
Many people keep asking what was her deal? What is she thinking? Doesn’t she know she was an idol to millions of little girls? I cannot answer what her deal is or any of those other questions, but when you live a monitored life where everything you do is being observed by people hiding behind a camera lens waiting for a chance for you to mess up so they can publish it to the world, it can be very easy to mess up. Being observed 24/7 can definitely get to a young person who just wants to be that: a young person.
Imagine trying to go to the mall or a party or practically anywhere and constantly being observed by strangers waiting for you to mess up or do something stupid. Trying to be contained all the time gets to you. From my perspective, everything we have witnessed MiCy do over the last couple years like shave her head, speak openly about her use of Marijuana and her “indecent exposure,” is her way of liberating herself from all the critiques that are thrown her way. She’s a young woman in her twenties; all she wants to do is have fun.
Why does MiCy face such scrutiny? If Lady Gaga went out on a crazy night on the town, do you think we would hear about it being talked about everywhere for the next few days? Would we even be shocked by it? The answer is no. From the start of her career she allowed herself the freedom to be crazy and not care what others thought about her. By doing so she liberated herself from the constant attacks of the media. If anything she thrives from the attention.
Stars like Miley Cyrus did not have that freedom at the start of their careers due to her young age and the roles in which she was cast in. Her career confined her to a life in the family friendly spotlight, but it also took away her privacy which has led many young stars to a dark path like Lindsey Lohan, Corey Feldman, Drew Barrymore, Macaulay Culkin and so on.
An even though MiCy is still at the dawn of her career, I feel that the recent openness she has allowed herself and the crazy behavior that has been shocking the world is her way of letting that wholesome image go and breaking free of the stigmas that the Disney Channel brought her. Just like a lot of us who are in college at the beginning of our young adult lives, she wants to experience the world without being scrutinized by everyone for every wrong choice she makes.
Living an open lifestyle with no secrets will eventually stop shocking everyone and it will give her if not the ultimate freedom which we common folk live, a sort of liberation from the constant judgments which are shot her way by disapproving parents and Disney Channel rejects. I would like to tell Miley Cyrus to keep on Livin’ La Vida Loca! Enjoy your youth you have every right to do so.
Opinions expressed in editorial and opinion articles are the views of individual NIC students. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sentinel, North Idaho College, or any other organizations or groups there-in. North Idaho College is not responsible for the accuracy of statements or opinions shared. – See more at: https://nicsentinel.com/perspectives/2013/03/04/editorial-boy-scouts-must-lift-gay-ban/#sthash.XXKMF31N.dpuf
Opinions expressed in editorial and opinion articles are the views of individual NIC students. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sentinel, North Idaho College, or any other organizations or groups there-in. North Idaho College is not responsible for the accuracy of statements or opinions shared. – See more at: https://nicsentinel.com/perspectives/2013/03/04/editorial-boy-scouts-must-lift-gay-ban/#sthash.XXKMF31N.dpuf