What Was I Like When I Was Fifteen

What a strange time in a girl's life. I looked so grown up, I was the same height I am now. I looked like a woman, yet didn't have the street smarts and common sense my continuing maturity would allow me.

I also trusted adults. Especially those in authority or positions of respect. So my parents and their friends. Teachers, coaches, school administrators, youth group adults, etc. I can think of four specific times when I was fifteen that I put my trust in an adult (because I was still a kid) when I shouldn't have. They were not trustworthy, and it blew me away as a kid. I am lucky that I didn't get hurt in any way.

So where am I going with this? Miley Cyrus. Here is the summation from what I can glean from the newsreports. She is Disney's golden girl right now. Recently she did a photo shoot with Vanity Fair magazine, and infamous photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Here is what I know about Annie. She is edgy in her photography. Next time you go to a bookstore, find one of her coffee table books. They are not pornographic in that you won't find her photos in a porno outlet, but hold one of her photos up next to a pornographic picture, and they seem quite similar. Fifteen years ago, she was considered cutting edge/pushing the envelope in terms of her photography. Now, she would be considered, in the photography world, conservative. She is also a lesbian and has no children of her own. She certainly doesn't understand protecting innocence. Instead, push the envelope and photograph it. Her world is very different than the working class masses the rest of us live in.

Here is what I know about Miley. Squeaky clean girl. Her father is famous 90's country singer, Bill Ray Cyrus of "Achy Breaky Heart" fame. He is a staunch Christian, and I have always enjoyed interviews I have seen with him in Christian outlets. Man of God, and has the mission of putting clean entertainment out there.

Miley. I have heard two radio interviews with her on the local Christian radio here. What I have been impressed with when I hear those interviews--the theology that comes out of her. This girl is a Christian and realizes she has a standard to live up to before God, and an example to set for young girls.

Billy Ray and Miley. Very close relationship. They work together on Disney's show "Hannah Montana" where Miley plays Hannah, and Billy Ray is her father. In the interviews and articles I have read about them regarding this show--Billy Ray keeps a tight reign on his daughter. Always talking about being an example, walk the walk, etc. I remember one People magazine article I read last year after Britney Spears shaved her head (a former Disney golden girl), Billy Ray flat out told Miley "Don't go down that path."

So what the heck happened at the photo shoot!? Billy Ray and his wife stepped away, a teacher and a grandparent were left to monitor the shoot, and Annie took photos of Miley that make her appear to be topless, although she isn't. Way too mature of a photo to even offer to shoot, if you ask me, which Annie Leibovitz did, nor did she ask the parents. A moment of confusion. I know when I am watching other people's kids, I am always a little tense as to what my role is in what their allowed to do. I know Annie doesn't have kids, and I certainly believe she took advantage of the situation. If anyone is familiar at all with the Cyrus family, he would have said "Umm...NO!" to such photos. I also think Miley is a young girl who was starstruck that she was being photographed by the Annie Leibovitz. Annie offers a suggestion, I am sure Miley was like "Sure, let's try it." Hence, the photos were taken.

Now, I have read two criticisms that I disagree with. One, the reason why Miley and her family are outspoken about this is because the "photos didn't get the response they wanted" in terms of publicity. I disagree. These photos have not been published at all by anyone. They have been leaked on the internet--which makes me ask, Annie?? Whatcha doing? Infamous photographer let's her photos get leaked on the internet, poor form. Incredibly unprofessional, and exploitive of a fifteen year old girl. It almost makes me wonder if Annie is trying to harm Miley's reputation. Sick!

I have also read the criticism that this is Disney turning another golden girl into a trashy adult, just like all the others before her i.e. Britney Spears, Jamie Lynn Spears, Hillary Duff, etc. Disney came out with a very surprising statement yesterday saying "Unfortunately.....a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines." I wholeheartedly agree, and trust me, I make a point to not agree with Disney. Disney had nothing to do with a Vanity Fair photo shoot. Vanity Fair had everything to do with that photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz leading the way. Yuck!

Okay, why do I think this won't completely knock Miley down to the lowest levels of celebrity tartness? Several reasons.

1) Her family, specifically, her dad. Billy Ray is an ever present person in her life, and they are very close. Show me where Britney's, Jamie Lynn's and Hillary's fathers were when they took their trashy nosedives? No where to be found. I give points for Britney's father who finally forced himself into the picture and is mopping up the mess of her life.

Even when Jamie Lynn announced her teenage pregnancy she was walking in front of the paparazzi with her ta ta's in almost full view, with a very deep V neck. Nice! She is underage, Mom, don't let her out the door!

Billy Ray knows his daughter is still a young girl that needs parenting. Unlike the other tarts who have parents who seem to have the idea that since they look grown up, act grown up, they must be grown up, and hence, their parenting is done. No. Fifteen year olds, especially celebrity fifteen year olds, need their parents even more.

2) Miley is a Christian. And I trust that the interviews I have heard with her are genuine. I also think it is classy that she made a statement way before the pictures got very far on the internet and apologized profusely. She has apologized. I have never heard any of the other tarts apologize for any of their ghastly behavior. They ride the publicity wave when it happens, hence, they have to keep pulling publicity stunts that get trashier and trashier. I trust that when I heard Miley say she fully understands her role and responsibility as a role model, she gets it.

What a mess this is! Annie Leibovitz should be ashamed of herself putting photography before the well being of a fifteen year old.

Please remember, she is, afterall, only fifteen. Adults can't always be trusted, and I think she learned this lesson the hard way.