:Between the Rows

If you were to google “Miley Cyrus,” you’d undoubtedly get several scandalous headlines and many ridiculous pictures of a once PG teen-pop star turned X-rated. You’d read about how she’s “embarrassing” and a “disgrace.”

The fact is, however, she’s being herself, and you just don’t see that a lot in today’s celebrities. In a world where public relations hold the key to income, and even the simple drop of a four-letter word can turn the head of a bible-waving perfectionist, Miley is standing tall with her middle finger in the air. Her recent VMA’s performance turned the entertainment world upside down, and since then, the true identity behind childhood hero “Hannah Montana” has been taking a bashing from media and former-fans alike.

There is a silver lining for Miley, however. A recent “Rolling Stone” cover story allowed Cyrus to spill her guts as to her entire image, as well as her true feelings on the situation. She’s sited as explaining that she “thought there was a chance the network might pull the plug on her mid-performance, but she didn’t expect so much shock and vitriol.” Instead, she was allowed to finish, and the social media world exploded.

She explained the unjust in the American opinion, as co-performer Robin Thicke got little heat from the situation, and most of it was piled upon her 108 pound shoulders. Her views on the subject quickly changed, as she turned the heads from the VMA performance, and focused on America as a whole.

In that same “Rolling Stones” article, Cyrus said it best. “America is just so weird in what they think is right and wrong,” she continues. “Like, I was watching ‘Breaking Bad’ the other day, and they were cooking meth. I could literally cook meth because of that show. It’s a how-to. And then they bleeped out the word ‘f***.’ And I’m like, really? They killed a guy, and disintegrated his body in acid, but you’re not allowed to say ‘f***’?

The importance behind this article is that Cyrus may just be on to something. Surely her performance was ridiculous to some, but other artist, namely Kanye West (also featured in the article), it was art. In recent interviews, Cher Lloyd has expressed her appreciation for Miley’s exploration and attempts at breaking out of a shell.

The fact that Cyrus could care less about what people think makes her not only worthy of paying attention to, but it makes all her performances that much more believable. In a time and age when the cultural and social “norm” is what everyone is striving for, maybe this world needs a few more public role models like Miley Cyrus. Don’t get me wrong; she’s crossed several lines, but when someone is willing to risk their reputation just to prove a point and find their own strengths and beliefs, it’s difficult to hate them for it.

Rolling Stone Interview: http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/24/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/miley-cyrus-rolling-stone/index.html?hpt=hp_t5

Cher Lloyd’s Support: http://www.teen.com/2013/06/19/music/cher-lloyd-its-all-good-fruttare-interview/

LA Times on Media Reaction to VMA Performance: http://articles.latimes.com/2013/aug/26/entertainment/la-et-st-miley-cyrus-vma-performance-media-reacts-in-shock-20130826

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