In response to Miley Cyrus’ recent shoot with Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair, Disney has said that “a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines,” putting the blame on Leibovitz for Miley’s apparently inappropriate photos. Miley herself also apologized for the photos, claiming she was “embarrassed” by them, even though she posed for them in the first place, of course. From there, it only gets more complicated and confusing.

If you haven’t noticed by now, these photos aren’t being well received. To many, these images represent the hypersexualization of women and the manipulation of young girls in the media. But if you really want to analyze this from a critical, feminist perspective, let’s make sure we really have our facts straight about the photos, what’s wrong with them, and who is to blame. So let me start off by asking you this: had it not been for Miley’s statement following the release of these photos, would anyone have even had a problem with it?

The fact is, these photos aren’t all that revealing or sexual. Maybe it’s not something you’d normally expect from a Disney star, but considering the recent photos leaked from Miley’s MySpace, there’s nothing particularly new or shocking about seeing her bare back. Even if it technically shows more skin, there’s a huge difference between an artistic, professional photo shot by Annie Leibovitz and a purposely suggestive MySpace photo of Miley lifting up her shirt or showing off her bra. Even those photos are pretty tame considering what 15-year-olds are putting up nowadays, but most of those girls aren’t Disney stars, so a different set of expectations apply.

What’s really problematic about this whole situation is not the photos themselves, but how they’re being perceived by Disney, the media, and the public. Notice that all of the news articles and blogs and YouTube videos read something like this: Miley Cyrus’ RACY Vanity Fair Shoot! Miley Cyrus apologizes for “sexy” photos! Miley Cyrus TOPLESS in Vanity Fair!

That’s what people want to read about? “Topless” photos of a 15-year-old girl? It says a lot about the media and our society in general when that’s what grabs headlines. It says even more when people actually consider these photos “racy” and “sexy” simply because she’s not dressed head-to-toe in some puritanical nun-like costume. The language being used to describe these photos is far more problematic than the photos themselves, and that is reflective only of the people viewing them. I’d like to understand why so many are troubled by an image of a teenage girl leaning on her father’s shoulder and where this idea comes from that in order for a girl to be close to her father, she must have a sexually inappropriate relationship with him. What does this say about our society?

To put the actual image in your minds, for those of you who haven’t already seen photos from the set, let’s take a look at a couple of them. You decide for yourselves just how badly these vicious monsters are “manipulating” the poor, innocent Miley and just how troubled she looks laughing with her father and making a face at the camera.

Left: Miley is pictured with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Right: Miley wearing the blanket used for her now infamous “topless” photo.

To further clarify the situation, Miley’s parents were on the set that day. Her dad was even in some of the photos, like the one pictured above. Her grandmother and teacher were also on set, and the photos were reviewed by Miley and her parents before being released. They had no problem with the photos at that time. Miley apologized after it became clear that Disney felt it would tarnish her image–and, in effect, theirs. So now that we have the real facts, who’s forcing Miley to do what, and who looks like the real manipulator here?

Bookmark to: