A Los Angeles Times blogger calls it the "Britnification" of Miley Cyrus. Another publication says she's gone Lady Gaga. Entertainment Weekly says it's "Death to Hannah Montana."
Whatever one's perspective, we're certainly seeing a different Miley in recent weeks – more skin, more sexy poses, more sultry pouting lips, and more questionable "image-making" decisions. Today's development: The 17-year-old's new album cover, Can't Be Tamed, which releases June 22. Dana Ward of Clevver TV says "it definitely showcases a super sexy, more mature Miley. Between the leather jacket, pouty lips and short top with low pants, this is not the Disney star we've all been accustomed to seeing over the last few years. She's grabbing her belt buckle and staring right out."
More mature? Physically, sure. But emotionally? And who's counseling/guiding her on these decisions? Is this the daughter that Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus want the world to see – or ogle?
I, for one, have long given Cyrus and her family the benefit of the doubt, trusting that her few missteps in the past have been relatively innocent, naive decisions – including the very ill-advised Vanity Fairphoto shoot at the age of 15.
Is this really a good marketing move for someone who has not only prided herself on being a role model for young girls for the last five-ish years, but has also long been outspoken about her Christian faith ("I do everything for Jesus," she says.) One could argue that the album cover alone is a bit of a misstep, but when you combine it with her sexy new music video (viewer beware: it's a bit steamy), a "lap dance" of sorts, bumping and grinding with a 44-year-old man at a wrap party for her last movie (The Last Song), and her admission that yes, she'd consider doing a nude scene in a movie, you can't help but wonder if Miley, who won't be 18 till November, has gone too far too fast. Or if she should ever go that far in the first place, considering her Christian beliefs. She hasn't gone as far as Britney or Christina . . . yet. But even their first steps into "maturity" beyond their Mickey Mouse Club days were relatively tame compared to all the booty-and-boobie-shaking videos they would soon be known for. Is Miley Cyrus headed down that same path? Pray, let's hope not.
What do you think? Is Miley Cyrus trying to grow up too fast? Trying to hard to distance herself from her sweet-and-innocent Disney persona? If you could advise her – or her parents – what would you say?
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