Regret

I am so absolutely furious, I could spit nails. 

Perhaps you've seen the news breaking all over the internet, that Miley Cyrus has posed topless in Vanity Fair magazine.  Here are the details from the New York Times:

Some parents reacted with outrage over the weekend when the television program “Entertainment Tonight” began showing commercials promoting a scoop: Ms. Cyrus, the star of the wholesome Disney Channel blockbuster “Hannah Montana,” had posed topless, albeit with her chest covered, for the Vanity Fair photographer, Annie Leibovitz.

I don't fault Miley for this.  I know I wasn't always making the best choices at age 15.  But her parents should have known better.  The New York Times reports that her dad was on the set when the photos were taken. 

Can you, as a parent, imagine any circumstances in which you'd let your 15-year-old undress for a photographer?

I'm furious because these parents (and Disney, and Vanity Fair) have exploited a child.  Since when have topless photos of a minor been acceptable?

I'm more furious because they have now put me, as a parent, in the position of having to discuss topless photos with my sons (this WILL be discussed on the playground, you can be sure of it, and I want my kids to hear my perspective first). Thanks so much for that, Billy Ray, and Vanity Fair, and Disney.

And, if I'm honest, I'm mad at myself for what I might have done to enable this situation.  I've been so relieved about the Hannah Montana show as an upbeat, wholesome alternative to some other entertainment, that maybe I've bought into it too much.  I've voiced concern at the same time I bought my kids tickets to the movie.  I feel creeped out myself, that I've somehow contributed to the exploitation of this child. 

So we'll be having an upleasant conversation in our house tonight, about modesty and decision-making and growing up too fast.  I'll be making a hard choice myself, as to whether I withhold an otherwise quality show from kids' viewing.

And I will breathe a prayer for Miley, smack dab in the middle of a firestorm not of her making. 

I'd really be interested to hear your thoughts about this, particularly about how (or if) you plan to address this with your kids.

Comments

[Natalie Witcher]

My 9 year old thinks she is super duper. I hadn't hear about it and now, well, it's just another reason we'll be talking to her about BEING herself in Jesus, not wanting to be someone else or even like someone else. It's the age old trap of women. I'm sad. Real sad. I posted about her and this issue here -

http://nataliewitcher.blogspot.com/2008/04/wearing-bras-and-growing-green-grass.html

[Natalie Witcher]

"her" meaning my 9 year old. not miley

[Jolanthe]

Seriously? I just can't believe that a parent would let their child do that - no matter how famous they are. Even more so, that a company is letting a MINOR pose "sorta" topless.

What message does that send to other young girls?

[Laurie Bearce]

I do plan on speaking to my 7 year old daughter who is into Hannah Montana along with her classmates. Frankly I'm not suprised by this at all. I am reading a book right now called "Every Young Womans Battle" by shannon Ethridge & Stephen Arterburn and my eyes are opening to the reality of life in our sex-saturated world. My daughter is only 7 and is already faced with things like the desire to show off her body and have a boyfriend. I am saddened by this - but not suprised when much of what she sees in the world revolves around sex. I can't even take her to the mall for fear she'd look at the Victorias Secret posters or Abercrombie posters and think she needs to look like that. There is a prep book to go along with "Every young Womans Battle" that would be more appropriate for a 7 year old. I will go through that this summer with my daughter. There is also a book for adolescent boys called "Every Young mans Battle" by the same authors I think. Anyway, I agree with you and feel terribly sorry for that poor girl who will undoubtedly feel shame and regret later. And shame on her parents!!!!

[Priscilla]

I feel that eveyone is to blame here- even young Miley! at this point in the game she needs to have a very keen awarness about how she is projected and most impotrtant to whom she is selling. Ultimately her parents should have said no even if she was wineing about doing an artsy picture with the famous lebowitz- They should put their foot down and be parnets. As a young mother to a 6yr boy, 3yr boy and a 2 yr daughter I also though hannah was different but if this is how they( every one involved, the magazine, parents, disney miley etc) decide to market her/her show, then I say no thanks.

[Amy loves Bud]

We disconnected the cable back in August, but I had stopped my 7yo dd from watching HM prior to that. Even though it was "wholesome", I just think that consistent exposure to older girls' lives is bad for younger girls. They all just want to grow up so fast - I remember feeling that way, and in retrospect wish my parents had paid better attention to what I was watching and reading. Why encourage it? It happens too quick anyway!

I feel very sorry for Miley, that she doesn't have an adult in her life with enough sense to put his or her foot down and stand up to this kind of garbage. Verysad.

[Amy loves Bud]

Oh, and to answer your questions, we homeschool so my dd won't necessarily find out about it. I'll talk to her friends moms to see if they heard about it at school, and then address it if I think it will be the after school topic du jour. But yes, I'll address it.

[Ewokgirl]

This is the paradox of those tween shows. They use kids to glamorize high school life, and all the while, this is being peddled to young kids who shouldn't even be thinking of high school, boy-girl relationships, and whatever else goes with it yet.

Add to that the instant fame the young stars receive, and suddenly stuff like this happens. I imagine it's very difficult to remain a child in age-appropriate activities in Hollywood. Kids like Miley are thrust into adult situations and treated like commodities. I suppose it's hard for the kids, and even their parents, not to buy into all the trappings of fame and fortune.

As I don't have kids, I won't be discussing this with them. It just makes me sad for this generation that is growing up in a culture that desperately wants to make them older than they are, rather than letting them just be kids.

[GiBee]

I always want to think the best of people ... but you're right -- this is a disgrace, and there is no "best" side to this. What were her parents (professed Christians) THINKING?

[Nash]

I am thankful my children are too young to know who this is. There absolutely NO circumstances in which I would ever allow my children to do anything remotely like what Miley did. Baffles me! Anything for money, I guess - so sad.

[Sydney Glenn]

It's funny because of course she was one of the milions of girls who said that she wanted to be known as the "Good Girl" and now she's just on the road towards being another Britiny Spears. sad.

[Kim]

And this is coming from someone who says he is a Christian also? Why would a Christian father do this! I am made too! Thanks for the news I didn't know that! Out goes another positive role model for our kids today!

[angela]

I was sickened that in one part of an interview today she said that when Annie (the photographer) asked, that "you can't say no to Annie"

I don't care how high, mighty, powerful, etc - when you are 15 years old, if you feel you can't say no - isn't that what your parents are for?

Her parents have said they were there and that when the photo was taken it was different, artistic, etc. YOUR DAUGHTER WAS TOPLESS, AT 15 YEARS OLD, FOR A NATIONAL PUBLICATION

[Laundry & Children]

I am speechless. How stupid are these people? I allow my 7 year old daughter to watch Hannah Montana and was thankful that there was something that she found cool and I found decent. We have Rachel with the notion that she should strive to be a "Quality Girl." Well, letting someone take pictures of you without a shirt on is definitely not "quality." This is the first that I have heard of this so I don't know what we are going to do. My gut reaction is to say, "Well we are done with that chicky if this is the road that she is going down." But my daughter doesn't know that this photo exists, so do I take away something that she loves because the actress made a mistake? ARGHHHH! I go back to my first qustion. How stupid are these people? And I am angry that now I am in this position with my daughter. Why must everything decay in to the tawdry and titillating?

[L.Rose]

This is JUST what I was telling my daughters the other day (they are ages 11 & 12)...that Miley Cyrus is gonna have to start marketing herself as a "sexier" more "sophisticated" entertainer in order to make it into the next level of the industry. Think about it: do our 12 yr. olds want to watch "Barney" or "Dora the Explorer" anymore? No, and why? because of course they've moved on to more "grown up " type entertainment. So the 9 - 14 yr. old market is "behind" Miley..she's 15, she's going to need to "reinvent" herself. It happens to ALL in the industry. Some handle it better than others (or maybe it should read, some PARENTS of celebrities handle it better than others).
I haven't let my daughters watch Hannah Montana. Wholesome, maybe. But why should a 9 yr. old girl be watching what a character is doing on a show about teens & high school age? Encourages them to want to act that way as a preteen...And I just can't see facilitating them being involved in idolatry. Basically that's how I see it when someone becomes SOOOO obsessed over an entertainer...many young girls are sooo obsessed. It's scary. And I don't want my girls to grow up too fast. I want them to understand that they can be who THEY are and NOT who some famous person is....where's the individuality in EVERYONE trying to be Hannah Montana?! And then, when the star is so popular, and the fan base gets older, they will want to follow her right into her next personna...her next "more sophisticated, sexier" image. Did you see her on American Idol's "Idol Gives Back" night? The dance/song she did was quite frankly to close to the edge sexy for me...made me think I was right in my assumptions of what will come next for her. Hope I'm wrong, for her sake.

[Sister Honey Bunch]

Really bad choice by her dad. There was NO reason for her to be topless and the MINUTE it was suggested, Billy Ray should have halted the entire photo shoot.

[Kimberly]

Maybe I am too jaded to be outraged. And not shocked that there is a double standard: as a culture we are so against child pornography, but if it is "art", well then.

What if Hugh Hefner was printing the photos? Would it be art then?

I wasn't offended, btw, when Demi Moore posed naked and pregnant. Somehow that was something of a celebration of womanhood, and pregnant women should be celebrated. But this is ridiculous.

Idiots. Her parents, that is.

[lisa (lost pezhead)]

honestly i really don't see what the big deal is. it is extremely hard to be in hollywood and still live like you have morals. just cause you're on a disney show that seems somewhat wholesome, doesn't mean the actors or their families are. children should be taught to have real life role models, not moviestars and singers.

[Rach]

My in-laws swore up and down that her dad was really responsible and wasn't going to allow stardom to get to her head. I swore up and down that it was a bad deal; him letting her get into show biz that much, that fast.

Guess I was right.

[Melanie]

Shannon-

He wasn't just on the set. He took some of the pictures with her. Not topless ones, but inappropriate nonetheless.

I wish a former child star would come forward and stick up for Miley.

[jennielynn]

My first reaction was "What's the big deal?" I saw the photos and they weren't showning anything. BUT the more I thought about it, the more I realized that these photos are provocative and inappropriate for a 15 year old. Her parents and management team have done their utmost to market her as wholesome and innocent and those photos are not evidence of that.

I don't think any parent who pursues stardom for their child is a good parent. I don't care how much the child want it. The entertainment industry is a destructive thing, especially for young people. Very little good comes from allowing your child to be sold as a commodity. Children should be allowed to be children.

I don't say this as someone ignorant of the industry. Drama Queen was a beautiful baby and we were repeatedly approached by agents and casting directors (the peril of living in So Cal) but I always said no. My child is not for sale. No part of her. I would think someone who had been chewed up and spit out by the business (as Billy Ray most certainly was) would have been more cautious of his child.

It's just sad.

[Eva]

Stuff like this is why we only watch an hour of TV a week. And why we homeschool. And why we don't buy products advertising TV and movies.

And why we've been accused of sheltering our kids. Um, why shouldn't a kid have shelter?

[Jen]

I agree with the previous comments. But, I also think this a GREAT opportunity for us as parents to Stop. Pray. Think...about Who it is God wants our children to emulate. It won't be anyone walking around our houses, our streets, our churches, or (most definitely!) on TV. He wants us to teach our children to look to Christ. Period. Sure, our kids are going to admire others (I know I do!), but it's our job to be sure that admiration is kept in its' proper place and doesn't become an idol. And that their admiration is focused on the Christ-like qualtities of others. While it sickens me to think of this poor girl and the way she is being paraded as a "sex symbol," I thank God for the reminder to be mindful of who my girls are watching and learning from.

[JanMary, N Ireland]

I too was disappointed to read about this. My daughters are big fans, age 10 and 8. We too need to talk about this in our house.

[T with Honey]

This quote by Miley Cyrus summed it for me, 'And you can't say no to Annie. She's so cute. She gets this puppy dog look and you're like, 'O.K.'

Sounds like the photographer did a wonderful job of convincing a teenager to do something she didn't really want to do.

[Leslie]

I am horrified! I don't watch the news so I hadn't heard of this yet. Now I am forced to have the same conversation with my 9 year old daughter. Her parents should have known better. I had taken the same pictures of my child and sent them to Walgreens to be developed I would not have been surprised had CPS shown up on my doorstep. Shame on her parents!

[dcrmom]

I just posted a shorter much less eloquent post on my blog. I probably won't bring it up unless my kids do. My son is 8, and I don't know that he gives a rip about Miley Cyrus. My 5-y/o adores her but probably won't hear about this.

I'm hoping they're not as bad as it sounds. But the whole thing sounds really sick.

[Kris]

I was just sick when I heard this. I hoped, prayed, that it was some sort of mistake or a marketing ploy to get you to watch ET and that Miley had not, really, done the photos.

I hadn't really thought about talking with my kids about it yet. I was hoping that, by some miracle, they wouldn't hear about it. That's naive, though. As I am constantly telling people, just because we homeschool, we're not isolated. They will hear about it.

I guess they'll be some unpleasant dinner conversation at my house tonight. *sigh*

[Deidre]

I read about it this morning and was disturbed by Miley's comment "you can't say no to Annie (the photographer)". Honestly, I've been disturbed about it all day. My 6 year old daughter loves her and al though we allow her music in moderation around here, she still loves her and idolizes her - yuck! I'm praying about what to say to her. We've had similar conversations about this, but I know she won't like our answers tonight when it comes to Hannah Montana. It's difficult for a 6 year old to grasp, but then that's my fault for allowing her to develop a fondness to her in the first place.

[Brandy]

I won't pretend that I read each word of each comment here. I also won't pretend that I have children of my own.

But what did leap out at me was the condemnation of Miley Cyrus' parents (both of whom were at the shoot). Of course, I believe that no 15-year-old should be posing topless, even if she's covered. I do believe that her parents should have intervened. But, I just kind of got a sick feeling when they were called idiots. When the implication was that they are bad parents.

Again, I don't have children. I have no idea what it's like to raise a teenager. Especially not one in the public eye. But I do know that parents mess up. They lose their tempers. They make bad decisions. Fortunately, for most parents, those mess-ups happen in the privacy of their own homes. Certainly, they don't happen on a Vanity Fair set.

I guess my thought is, yes, what her parents did was irresponsible. Yes, I believe they should be called out on it. But I hope they are called out by people who love them, in a gentle, firm way.

Just my two cents.

[Busy Mom]

It worked, though. We're all talking about her.

[DT]

Her mom, Tish, was on set of the photo shoot, too. At the Vanity Fair web site, they have a slide show of behind-the-scenes photos, and you can see Tish and Billy Ray clearly in the background while the very photo in question is being taken. And these people are Christians? Shame on them.

[Milehimama]

Aren't there laws against that? Is Annie L. gonna be prosecuted for child pornography? She should.

[Stacey @ Happy Are We]

I think the danger in allowing our kids to get so attached to celebrity role models is that those role models GROW UP, and not usually with the values that originally made them appealing. They go about trying to re-market themselves to their growing audience, but I think 9 times out of 10 they go way off-base.

This has happened with so many young singers or actresses who seemed so harmless at first. Anyone remember Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap? She was adorable! Now she's a total train-wreck.

I have a hard time encouraging my kids to get too ga-ga over anyone, because it just seems like disappointment is inevitable.

[Kristin]

I have a 5-year-old who ADORES Hanna Montana, and even before this news came out, my husband and I had discussed whether she was just too young to be exposed to a show geared toward older kids.

So, today as I am on my laptop, I go to drudge and find her picture right there, with nothing but a sheet covering her. And of course, that's the moment that my daughter decides to come see what I'm doing. I wasn't prepared for the discussion, so I closed the screen.

I read further and saw behind-the-scene photos of the shoot. Her mother, father, and younger sister were there. What kind of parents encourage this?! Don't they realize they are throwing her to the wolves! My husband can't even discuss the idea of his little girl growing up, dating, and marrying (typical daddy), but Billy Ray seems to have no qualms letting men the world over derive pleasure from his 15-year-old daughter's body.

[Mandi]

Well although Hannah Montana is huge in our house and my daughter loves Miley... I don't see myself having to discuss this with her. Since we homeschool and my kids are too young to see the evening news.
That being said I really blame the photographer more so then anyone else. She knew what she was doing. I am more upset by the way Miley's hair and makeup look in the picture then the fact that the blanket/towel hide her clothes so she appears topless.
With her messed up red lipstick and messed up hair, well that bothers me.
I can see though being 15 and being caught up in the glamour of a photo shot, and hearing the photographer and all the people around you saying how great this looks etc. It seems to me even as a parent that in that atmosphere it would be easy to get caught up in the it. When you are in the middle of that firestorm then the picture probably did look cool and artistic.
However taken out of the photo shot and shown all by itself it doesn't. I have to commend Miley for saying that after seeing it in the real world that it embarassed her.

[Kari]

Wow. I understand your frustration but I'm astounded at some of the highly judgmental comments. Miley and her family made some bad choices. They're not perfect. They made a mistake. Some of you said things that are very hurtful to the Cyrus family and those of us who know them.
Maybe we could also use this unfortunate opportunity to teach our kids that everyone will make bad choices at some point. That's why we need a Savior!

[Blue Castle]

I recently saw a short little clip from the Hannah Montana show and was not impressed with it. I have young boys, and we don't have cable tv, so we've not been impacted by the whole Hannah Montana craze. But I didn't like the little bit of the show that I saw. Shows like that make a lot of laughs off of poking fun at the parents and in this show in particular it seemed, Miley's dad was the butt of many jokes. There was an overall sense of her dad as being the "dumb dad" that is so often portrayed in sitcoms nowdays. That did not impress me. I think it's been just a matter of time before she ran into some kind of scandal. At 15, she's awfully young to be put into the situations that she's been put into. It's terribly sad that this happened to a 15 year old. She's much to young to be starting down this road, and Vanity Fair should be called on the carpet for their actions, not to mention the photographer as well. I can't believe that any good father would stand on the sidelines and allow his daughter to disrobe in front of a camera - to whatever extent. But it doesn't surprise me too much either. It's kind of part of the package of being famous in today's society. The line between being famous and being morally upright is blurry and morality is all too often sacrificed for popularity, fame and fortune. Anybody remember "virgin" Britney Spears, and even Jessica Simpson? They were supposed to be "role models" too. Perhaps it's time to find other role models for our young daughters and sons. Disney and Hollywood should be the last place we look for guidance for our children. They've proven that they are incompetent, and in reality, it's not their job anyway. Why do we continue to allow them into our homes and lives?

[suzanne]

I gladly bought my almost 8-year old daughter the Hannah/Miley CD's. She's a cute kid, and my daughter LOVES to sing those songs. My daughter happened to standing behind me today as I brough t up the story and she gasped, "Mom, why is she naked?" (actually it came out more like NEKKID).
I told her that it was supposed to be art but instead just looked like a way-too-young girl half-NEKKID for some photographer. It looks like kiddy porn to me. As a photog myself, I don't even take naked butt pictures of newborns. Somethings are sacred.
I pray that her folks reign the force that is the media back in. She's JUST a kid, who happens to be worth a BILLION now.
I wish kids stayed wholesome longer.

[Jodi]

Well, as a mother of preschoolers and younger, this story only gives added confirmation to my longtime suspicion that I simply need to keep my TV turned off.

I recently heard a Christian speaker with grown children reflect that when it came to TV in their house, if she had any doubt at all about the wholesomeness of a TV program, they simply didn't watch it. And then she said with all the confidence in the world, "And I never had any regrets."

I don't fault poor Miley either. But I've seen so many girls who absolutely worship her. Topless or not, I don't want to offer my girls even the chance of stumbling into this modern-day idolatry.

We used to have Psalm 119:37 taped to the top of our TV: "Turn my eyes away from worthless things." Here's to filling our childrens' hearts and minds with things of worth!

[Tracye]

This is disgusting. I can't believe it's even a topic of discussion. Why would a kid's parents allow their child to be an object of child pornography, which is exactly what it is? I would hope charges would be filed on her behalf, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[Kilikina]

My kids are too young to know who she is but I did see on the news today that someone had the nerve to say that if Miley wanted a future past the age 18 she has to start "showing her potential as a woman" or something like that. I cannot quote it exactly. It was on the video I have linked below. The interview. How sick!

[Kilikina]

The link to the video is

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/24350239#24350239

It was the interview with Meredith Vierra.

[Smellyann]

I guess I'm on the only one who really doesn't see what the big deal is. I saw the pictures. My reaction: So?

I guess if my kids cared about Hannah Montana, though, my feelings might be different. Carry on.

[Rebecca]

We said good-bye to tv years ago, and we've never looked back.

Hollywood values just can't be reconciled to ours, and the constant stream of propaganda is so harmful to our kids.

The heat gets turned up so gradually, as a parent, you never see it coming.

[Debbie]

There was a discussion of this on The View earlier. Whoopi had what I considered a very good view on the situation. These photos had to be approved by her parents and Disney and they obviously did not stand up for Miley.

They also showed a picture of Miley and her father which I also found a little distrubing.

My youngest is 17 and we did discuss this briefly this morning and I will talk more with her this evening.

[Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous!]

I don't have time to read all the comments, so forgive me if this has already been mentioned. But if it hasn't, prepare yourself --

According to Vanity Fair's website (where the pictures are), Miley's mom was on set the whole time. In fact, in their behind-the-scenes photo album, there's a picture of her with a caption about "Behind Miley, her mother looks on as lip gloss is applied" or something.

So sad. Very, very sad.

[Chelsea]

I'm suddenly feeling very good about my decision NOT to let my girls watch Hannah Montana. They are 7 and 8 years old and "all their friends watch it" but I didn't think it was age-appropriate and I'm a little anti-Disney anyway. I do think Miley's public admission of embarrassment is genuine, but those photos are downright creepy.

[Julie Anne]

I am glad that my kids are too young to even know about this right now, but it really concerns me as to what I will have to deal with when they get older. This is ridiculous!!

What I can do is pray that God will protect my girls and keep them pure, and that my son will know what is right and wrong and be protective of his sisters and look for the right things in a wife someday!!

This job of parenting is NOT EASY!!!

[Karen]

Completely and utterly disappointed.

[We are THAT family]

Today when I saw this on CNN news, I just wanted to throw up. My first thought: Where were her parents? Oh, I read further. They were on the set all day. At what point did it seem okay to watch their child slip off her shirt to be photographed?

My 8 year old daughter came home today wearing her Hannah Montana t-shirt. We're going to have to talk.

I have that same sick feeling.

[LisaC]

I haven't read every post, but I agree with most of what is being said. Why would the photographer even suggest it? Artistic or not, she is 15. I would, however, hope that after all this time she is becoming a bit savvy about dealing with the media and would be able to say no, even to Annie L., if she was uncomfortable. I am pretty disappointed in her parents for letting her get naked and then approving the pictures. I am thinking of that girl whose name I can't remember who left the show "7th Heaven" and starting doing more risque things so people would see her as an adult and not teen Mary Camden. It didn't really seem to help her career at all.

[Michelle- This One's for the Girls]

Uh- did you see the pictures on msnnbc.com of her licking the tongue of another teenage girl at a party?

Clearly, Miley Cyrus isn't the wholesome girl that she has been marketed as. We're done with her and we're done with that show. Forever.

[Ashleigh (Heart and Home)]

I feel sick about this. I admit, I had begun to think that perhaps Miley would be different. That is, until last week, when my mom told me about the pictures she posted to her MySpace showing more than should be seen. The thing that is the saddest to me is that I recently saw her in an interview, and she was asked what made her different than all the other teen stars (Britney, Lindsey, etc) and her response was that it was her strong faith and her family. It is just... sad. This poor girl is caught in a whirlwind of secularism all around her. We ALL know what it is like to become desensitized to things and later look back and wonder how we drifted like that. I just hope for the sake of this young girl's heart and life, she and her parents take that backward look before she goes too much farther.

As for addressing it with children--my little one knows enough to say "Miley! Cute!" when he sees her singing once in a while in a clip after Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. But I'm thankful that's the extent of it for us. I certainly don't envy those of you with older ones!

[Worlds Greatest Mommy]

I completely agree with you about the fact that a 15 year old can't be held fully responsible for what adults said was okay to do.

Her parents, the photographer, her press agent, the magazine, everyone should have known better.

Unfortunately, I think there will be a lot of backlash about this for Miley. My daughter is just now at the age when she wants to be a Miley fan. She has a Miley fashion doll and wants to listen to her music and watch her show.

After this, though, I can't in good faith allow her to form an attachment to someone who serves as a role model for young girls, without the benefit of having a good role model in her own life.

[Daphne]

I'm not believing this. I was under the impression that her family were Christians or at least had better morals. I'm very disappointed and guess I'll have to talk to my impressionable young daughters tonight. I hate the fact that our kids have to grow up so early.

[Katy (aka funny girl)]

Talking about this on my blog today as well. My biggest issue is that a few months ago, People Magazine did a spread on Miley and she talked about her faith, etc., and now this makes her look like yet another hypocritical Christian.

[Kelly @ Love Well]

I am disappointed by the Cryus' decision to allow the photo. But the most recent stories online say they are filled with regret, too.

I would chalk this up to one more person (or family, in this case) making a bad decision when faced with intense peer pressure. Being in Hollywood is tough. It's easy to say, "Just say NO!" when we aren't the ones being sweet-talked into an "artsy" photo by one of the most well-known photographers of our generation. (Not to mention the constant feedback they must get to keep Miley in the public eye by almost any means necessary.) That kind of pressure is TOUGH AS NAILS.

Should she and/or her parents have refused? Yes. But honestly, I'm glad I'm not in their shoes everyday.

Having said that, though, this is a great opportunity to talk to your kids. Mine are too young to know who she is, so I don't have specific advice. But your plan sounds wise, Shannon.

[Staci at Writing and Living]

We don't have cable, so my kids only know Hannah Montana from what they see at Grandma's and what they hear from friends. I don't think it will come up, but it might.

I'm just going to say that nobody should pose for pictures like that, fifteen or 25.

I, too, am disappointed in her parents. It's so easy to get caught up in things without thinking when you're that age.

[T.]

I've been waiting for your post on this as soon as I read the article! =) I found it so ridiculous that she should even be the one made to comment on it. She thought she would be in good hands with the photographer. At what point does her father say "Hey, wait a minute, she's topless and covered with a bed sheet. And wearing red lipstick?" I haven't seen the photo to know whether she is actually on a bed, but doesn't a bed sheet imply the same thing? I have all boys and my oldest is 9. Thankfully he hasn't shown any interest in Hannah Montana but I am concerned what he will hear at school as well. So Sad. Maybe she has a chance for growth in this.

[Krista]

I actually read the article and looked at the slide show on VF when I saw a link this morning. When asked how she felt about posing topless Miley says something like - well, when Anne asks you to do something she has these big puppy dog eyes and you can't turn her down, but I'm covered with a big blanket so I don't see what the big deal is. Sounds like she was a) pressured into it and b) sadly doesn't even see what's wrong with it. Although for all the articles spouting about how "mature" she was I can't exactly fault her considering she is still a kid. Ugh.

[Veronica Mitchell]

I saw the photos, and while I didn't think they were particularly scandalous (you see more in the tank tops girls wear nowadays) I was disappointed in Annie Leibovitz, the famous photographer who took the photos. From the article, she seemed aware that the photos she took would be damaging to the kid, and she did it anyway.

I think more disturbing in the photos than the amount of skin showing was the come-hither poutiness of the photos, clothed and unclothed. I found that more sexualizing than a draped sheet, and I wondered what on earth her father was thinking.

[Kim Priestap]

T with Honey pointed out this quote:

This quote by Miley Cyrus summed it for me, 'And you can't say no to Annie. She's so cute. She gets this puppy dog look and you're like, 'O.K.'

Sounds like the photographer did a wonderful job of convincing a teenager to do something she didn't really want to do.

Do people understand that this is how pedophiles work? It sounds like this 15 year old girl didn't want to do this, but was talked into it by the photographer. And her father went along with it. Her own father allowed her to be sexualized, objectified, and used. It's sickening. Not only Vanity Fair but her dad must have had dollar signs in his eyes, too.

What a real disappointment.

[dawn]

This was a stupid stupid move. But are we just going to write comments about it, or should we be complaining to Vanity Fair, Disney etc. If we don't complain to them directly, these businesses will think we don't care what happens to 15 year olds, and it is ok for the same thing (or worse) to happen to other minors.

[Kim N]

I have a seven year old daughter and I have made a point of keeping her away from Hannah Montana and High School Musical. I don't think there is anything wrong with these shows, but I think they are completely over the head of a first grader. I don't want her looking ahead to her teen years and thinking about dating and boyfriends and cliques and popularity right now. She has no idea about these things I want to keep it that way for as long as possible! I think for older kids High School Musical is a fun, upbeat show (I did watch it myself) and when she is older I won't mind her watching it. I just don't see the point of seven year old watching a show about high school.

Also, I think that in a lot of the tween shows on stations like Disney and Nickelodean (sp?) there is a lack of respect for authority, including parents. A lot of times the parents, teachers, principals and other authority figures are mocked and made fun of and made to look dopey. I haven't seen Hannah Montana so I don't know if that is the case on that show, but the majority of the ones I have seen seem to portray that. I would rather not have the added influence for my kids to sass me and not respect me!

If I had an older daughter who knew about Miley I would use this as an opportunity to talk about modesty and what is appropriate.

[Colleen]

Thanks for posting this. I couldn't believe it when I read it, but had a feeling it was only a matter of time. I hope that she can learn from this experience and stay on a good track with her career. She has a lot going for her.

[Heather @ Loving Our Homeschool]

Okay, yet another reason why I'm glad we only have an antenna for our TV channels, why I'm glad we homeschool (no playground talk around here) and why I'm glad my oldest daughter (age 7) and her friends are very much into dolls and playing dress-up as Queens and Princesses. My daughter has heard the name "Hannah Montana" but has no idea who or what she is.

Speaking of Princesses, we just read "The Princess and the Kiss" last night. A wonderful, introductory book about God's gift of purity. The one for boys is "The Squire and the Scroll" which I have not read.

I didn't read all of the comments here, but one person said this is why they shelter their kids. There is a line between sheltering and protecting though, and maybe that mother is really protecting her children rather than sheltering them. Right now, I'm protecting my daughters from things with which they are just not ready to deal. We discuss things in the world that are sinful, but those things are age-appropriate to their level of thinking. Too bad Miley's parents aren't protecting her.

[Leanne from Canada]

Disappointed-yes, surprised-no. I'm never surprised by what I consider to be bad choices when they are made by celebrities (or anybody who does not know the Lord). We all know how difficult it is to live a Godly and upright life in our culture, and as Christians we blow it everyday (if not in deed, than in thought). Why would I expect our culture to live up to a Godly standard? This does however bring about a very teachable moment with our kids....I always try to come back to "what does God say on this matter?". Teaching our kids to think as God thinks is our daily and most important job. Whether they are somewhat sheltered or not, one day (and that day comes sooner than we think), they will have to make some decisions for themselves. Will they turn off the T.V. or computer (even at a friends house?), will they say no when everybody else is saying yes?, will they choose to speak up against the voice of the crowd? The challenge for all of us is to live like "Daniel's" in a culture that is most certainly ungodly. It's more subtle than we think and more pervasive than we want to acknowledge. Living in the world but not of it...our daily challenge, and one that is best dealt with face down!!

[jenni at talking hairdryer]

Miley and Billy Ray both said that they did it because it was "art". My response to that is - it ain't art when you're 15 years old.

[Cassie]

I have seen different talk shows that have tried to justify it--saying that her fan-base is getting older and she is just trying to keep them as fans. I think that is a bull-crap excuse. I think that most of her fans (including my 7-year-old niece who got every Hannah Montana related Christmas present possible) are still very young, but even if it were teenagers, she shouldn't have to do things like that to entertain people.

[Robyn]

I am disappointed by this. Miley should know better. Someone in the Miley camp has obviously told her that she needs to glam up to attract an older audience. Annie Leibovitz is one of the most talented and recognized photographers of our time. I can imagine that Miley was a little star struck and lost her good judgement. Annie should be ashamed of herself.
I personally have no problem with seeing Miley backless. she wears red carpet dresses that are backless. The picture shows NOTHING anatomically. WHat I DO have a problem with is what it represents. She's wrapped in bed sheets, has touseled hair, and smeared makeup. If there's ever been a "post sex" picture, here it is.
I also blame Billy Ray Cyrus. I think he genuinely loves Miley, but I also think he's trying to ride her coattails and further his career. He's LOVING being the center of attention right now. I bet he'll regret this one day, if he doesn't already.
Here's what I think we should do. First, Miley is a 15 year old girl. Despite the fact that she made a bad choice in terms of this picture, her TV show is still a wholesome form of entertainment for tweens. We should support the good sides of Miley and defer attention from this bad decision to the hundreds of good ones she makes each day. We need to get off our lynch mob soap boxes and realize that she's a KID. She doesn't have the ability to predict the consequences of her actions. She messed up. She learned a good lesson. I'm sure she will be more careful in the future. I'm sorry she had to learn the hard way that even "world renowned photographers" and her daddy don't always have her best interest at heart.

[Fancy Delights]

I too am sick about this. My 6 year old is just getting into HM (thanks to grandma - ugh). Guess we will be "getting out" as quickly as we are getting in. So sad. I really thought more about Billy Ray than that. He seems like a pretty decent guy. Guess not.

Michelle @ Fancy Delights

[Dot]

Why do superstars like Miley Cyrus feel like they have to sell themselves to stay popular? So what if they fade out...they've made enough money for a lifetime before they're even 18. Retire, kid...enjoy the riches and forget about stardom.

[Amanda]

Uuug. I remember your post from way when, Shannon. Sad that fame is proving to be so predictable. It makes me want to pray for those God has allowed to be in the lime light proclaiming Him and His Word. I pray fame keeps them in safe in high accountability and in His daily care... and not in the looney bin like most Hollywood stars.

This split life will most likely do its number on Miley too... if something doesn't nip it soon... and really soon. Please, God send in some angels amongst us to this child. Her appointed guardians got bought off.

And if Billy reads these... which I hope he somehow does... I hope these outcries aren't silenced by a defensive attitude. I hope he will seize the unfortunate opportunity to ADMIT a mistake, and follow steps back to some kind of parent child relationship. Not greasy agent and exploitable client.

My daughter isn't old enough(4)for us to have to deal at home with this now. But I will remember this when the next tween star is gracing every product in Wal-Mart and Target and is being marketed to her during her tween time. It hurts to agree with many mom's here... but this is quite a pointed object lesson. I'm praying for you ladies who are having a discussion tonight.

Life can just be too tempting outside of some sensible boundaries. Too bad the ones that should have known better, were the ones calling the shots. When you don't have a previously defined boarder of, "NO!",even adults can get stuck in a big bowl of “STUPID-MOVE-HAVE-FUN-WHEN-THAT-ONE-HITS-THE-FAN.”

And just in case we have any sympathetic readers who would wonder why such stones are being so quickly thrown… it would be because we know no boulder is big enough to knock out a person who exploits children. I think the phrase ‘it would be better if a millstone...’ comes to mind instead. She who has an ear, let her hear…

[Andrea]

What I don't understand is why it's acceptable to coerce a child to pose provocatively clothed, while these same people would totally denounce that kind of pose in the nude. It's all the same to me.

I like what a previous poster said about making Jesus our kids' role models. I've kept my girls away from the whole teen show thing for this very reason. The line between reality and the show gets blurred. Girls are idolizing HM, but not recognizing that the REAL person is Miley and can be completely different. So to them, it's Hannah Montana posing, not Miley.

I'm not saying it's wrong to let kid watch the shows, but I don't think it's necessarily healthy to let them get to the point where all they want is to be like the people on the show. But then, I've never been that way myself, so maybe it's easier said than done!

[that girl]

my son (11) is obsessed with her and says she's "sexy" -- he doesn't even know what that MEANS and thinks he's saying she is "cute," and YES I told him to stop saying that... then this photo appears and he sees it today when I'm watching the View. I let him see it for a moment, then turned it off and asked him what he thought. He said, "So? What's the big deal?" My point is, kids are so immune to EVERYTHING b/c of TV and the internet, it's sad. For him to think it was the nation's (or his) business shows me he's watching way too much TV, so that's what I'll be adressing in my house. All we can do is fix our own house/kids/parenting, we're not going to influence the Cyrus household. I just hope Miley's investing her earnings because I think the sand's about to run out on that hourglass!

[that girl]

... and thank you for not putting the picture on your post!

[Org Junkie]

My 11 year old daughter has never seen an episode of the show or listened to the music as she has never been interested which I am very thankful for right about now.

[Laura]

I never let my 8 year-olds watch HM. I think it's wholesome compared to other shows out there, but not meant for children- more for the older tween- what interest would (or should) my elementary school children have in a show about kids so much older than they are anyway? As for the photos- I was surprised to see this happen- simply because it is a bad marketing move on their part- I guess I'm cynical. It's tough to try to keep our children from growing up too fast and things like this discourage me, but at the same time strengthen my resolve to do it my way. (Hint: I TIVO the Brady Bunch and Full House and read the program notes before I allow them to watch. The BB is a huge hit with them- even the ones where the older kids are dating are so mild and there is always some moral for them to figure out)

[Kelly @ Pass the Torch]

I just don't know why it's necessary. Why would anyone include her in the shoot? Six years from now, that photo wouldn't cause any controversy.

I've been holding by breath with this girl, hoping she'd stay the girl we all love, even amidst pregnant Zoey 101's.

But then this might all be the spin doctors at work, in which case Miley will be fine, it's just the rest of us that have to figure out how she fits in our virtual lives.

Let's hope...

[Angela @ Becoming Me]

This is so disheartening. Why is it not classified as child pornography? I have a four year old who has never watched the show, but has seen Hannah Montana all over the place and really admires her already. I agree with Eva...we so need to pray for this girl and for others ... for all our young people really.

[Judy]

Uh ...HELLO....Does Anybody remember how Brittany started out as a wholesome Disney singer and then step-by-step descended into what she is today? And her parents were supposedly keeping an eye on her! Miley is 15 years old....her parents are to be held responsible!

[Nicki]

First a disclaimer: Please, know that what I have to say on this subject isn't meant to be critical of other parents and their decisions. These are just my honest observations and thoughts on the situation.

Having said that... :)

I think that it's kind of weird that these particular photos have caused such controversy. Haven't we been seeing her doing 'unwholesome' things in photos with friends, on the internet for some time now? Also, every picture I've ever seen of her at a red carpet event, she's wearing clothing where one false move means she's going to expose even more than what is being seen in the Vanity Fair picture. So, I guess I'm not surprised at all by this. To me the writing has been on the wall for some time now.

We don't watch TV. This is one of the very reasons why. Although, we're not completely sheltered from her existence. Hannah Montana is on...EVERYTHING! It all just seems ludicrous to me. While shopping in Target the other day, my 7 year old daughter asked, "Who is Hannah Montana? And WHY would I ever want her picture on my clothes?" I couldn't give her an answer.

And Daddy Cyrus was most definitely on the scene of the photo shoot. How is this for a father/daughter photo to hang on the den wall? To me, that is even more disturbing than the other picture.

Grow up, Billy. And let your daughter be a kid.

I am officially horrified. Miley is 15 and legally a child. I agree that her parents should be ashamed of themselves. It is a tragedy for our children that they are growing up in a world that simply does not let them be innocent kids. They are exposed to adult behavior at an impressionable age. Blech!

I am new to your blog! Love it!!
MB

[Stephanie]

Although I don't have children old enough to warrant a speaking to about this, it definitely opens my eyes for what I will face in the future. How in the world is this okay to some people? She is not even 18, and obviously had assistance in making this decision. After seeing her with her down-to-earth parents on Oprah, I didn't think she was headed toward Britney-dom, but I guess now no one is safe from parents and companies willing to do anything to make money off of you and your name. Sheesh.

[Francie]

Well, another role model for my girls bites the dust. I want to be that role model but I know I'm not the one they're talking most about on the playground. I can turn off the TV, cover their eyes at the magazine rack and talk to them about it, but, oh, how I hoped this one was different. Please, Miley, err on the side of modesty. A generation is looking up to Miley whether we like it or not.

[Hannah]

Wow! I definitely hadn't heard about that. My kids aren't really old enough to be into her but I've had a bad feeling about her for a long time. I don't think I've ever heard of a child star having a good, wholesome life so really I guess I shouldn't be that surprised about this. It is sickening to me that a parent, a dad especially, would allow his daughter to be portrayed in that way. My husband is extremely protective of my daughters particularly because he knows the way men work and wants to protect our daughters from that as much as they can and I can't imagine the kind of man that would not feel that way. It's disgusting. I think that this is the sort of thing that Jesus was talking about when he said that it would be better for someone to be dead at the bottom of the ocean than to harm a child or cause them to stumble.

[Dawn]

Luckily my kids don't know that much about her. We don't have cable so they don't watch her show. I asked my eight-year-old if he knows who she is and he said, "She's a famous singer." He doesn't know anything else. I don't think Disney had anything to do with the pictures, so it will be interesting to see if they say something about it. I've seen the picture and even though it doesn't show anything, it is way too suggestive for a 15-year-old. I think it was a huge mistake for her parents, Annie Lebowitz and Vanity Fair to let a picture like that be taken, let alone show it to the public. I think her reputation is going to take a hit.

[ter]

I hadn't heard about this. I think Miley's parents, the photographer, etc. should all be charged with child endangerment or explotion. Most parents would be horrified to have their teenaged daughter posing like this!

[feefifoto]

From T With Honey:
"This quote by Miley Cyrus summed it for me, 'And you can't say no to Annie. She's so cute. She gets this puppy dog look and you're like, 'O.K.'

Sounds like the photographer did a wonderful job of convincing a teenager to do something she didn't really want to do."

I think it's a question of the photographer's convincing a teenager to do something she SHOULDN'T do.

[Christine @ Serenity How?]

This is so sad. I hope Miss Cyrus and her parents will take a long, hard and prayerful look at what has happened and decide to do right from here on out. She could so easily slide downward from here and the industry would happily help her along that path.

[Megan]

Precisely the reason why we avoid the craze of these things. We first heard of Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus this year when the girls started attending a two-day per week school for HOMESCHOOLERS (aren't they supposed to be the ones with their heads in the sand?) Kidding. Really.

Okay, so we don't have cable. This is one major reason. We don't want our kids bowing to all things Disney and frankly, even the things they put out as "innocent and cute" have much more in there.

I have personally been really surprised by the amount of presumably discerning parents who are ga-ga over High School Musical. Huh? I watched it with my girls on purpose after they began hearing about it. I stopped it multiple times to give voice to some of what they were seeing: disrespectful attitudes toward parents, adults being portrayed as stupid, heavy emphasis on guy/girl flirting and dating at young ages. Was it cute? Sure. Did it send a very strong message to my girls of who they should be as future 14 and 15 and 16 year olds? Absolutely. Was the message sent one I want my kids embracing? Not on your life.

I can't exactly speak to the Hannah Montana thing. We've never seen the show, never heard her sing. We just see her face plastered all over other 6 year olds' t-shirts and talked about everywhere. So we talk about pop culture and such. I'm not at all surprised this has happened. We need only to look at the fine example set by the Speares' family to see how easy it is for parents to lose their brains here.

Sad, yes. Surprising, no.

[Jackie @ where the boys are]

Frankly, I'm a little disappointed by all of you who are only a little too happy and anxious to be casting that first "I told you so" stone. Yes, I am equally disappointed by the choices that were made for her by her parents and her management team. We've all made mistakes in our parenting (and you can say "well, I've never let my daughter pose topless, etc. but a sin is a sin and parenting mistakes are parenting mistakes.)Only most of us aren't trying to do it under the microscope of the media and a viewing audience - thankfully.

Again, I'm not defending the pictures (which I've not seen) or the choices, I'm just curious to know where all those self- proclaimed Christian values are that so many of you say you're trying to teach your children. Wouldn't this, also, be a perfect time to teach them about the concept of extending grace to someone who has obviously messed up. You don't have to watch her show, buy her merchandise or listen to her music, but she doesn't deserve to be villified either.

And for the record, no, I don't have daughters who are looking to immitate and emulate her. Worse than that - I have boys, who I must protect from these kinds of sexually charged images that they are subjected to from every possible source. I am just as diligent in trying to protect my sons as you are in protecting your daughters.

[Jen]

Yes, ma'am...my sister & I were just discussing this today...that we now have to bring this up to our daughters. My daughter wasn't SO into Hannah Montana yet, but a little bit. But my sister's girls are. We are definitely going to have to discuss it with them, and who knows what other questions it will bring up...UGH, the dread of it... I told her I long for the days of Nick Jr. You'd never catch Dora doing a topless photo shoot...

[heidi]

Have you read this blog entry? I thought it was a great warning against allowing our girls to grow up to fast - even if the content might seem "harmless" http://this-aint-new-york.blogspot.com/2008/04/our-daughters.html

[Nicole]

My kids are too young for Miley/Hannah (or at least I haven't let my 5 year old get into it yet) so I haven't been engrossed in it. But I did hear the story on the news and was shocked. If her parents did it for the exposure (no pun intended) then they were stupid because she's doing just fine without all the Paris-style media coverage.

[Kristen]

I saw a bit of this on the news tonight. I am disgusted, like you, not by Miley's decision, but by her parents' decision to allow this. And to be honest, I was more disturbed by another photo--the one of Miley draped across her father. To me it appeared as if they had a relationship other than father-daughter. (I'm not insinuating anything here, just saying what I thought the photo portrayed). My children do not watch this show, they are too young, but if they did, I would surely open the lines of communication up with them.

[TransitionGirl]

Isn't that illegal? since she's a minor? doesn't matter if she's a celebrity, its still child exploitation and child pornography, in my opinion. Someone should smack her parents.

[kd]

Has no one questioned why HER DAD was watching his daughter topless? Doesn't anyone else view this as the way incestuous relationships begin? He should be IN JAIL, not making money off this deal!

[Heather]

I saw the photo and it wasn't a sexual or even flirty pose. Her red carpet outfits are a lot more worrisome.