Miley Cyrus will not be the next Brittney Spears. A controversial topic in the hallways of high schools across America is whether you like Miley Cyrus or not. This sixteen-year-old actress/pop singer is one of the biggest stars today. She has her own show, “Hannah Montana” which is on its third season on Disney Channel. She’s had two movies made about it, and she recently did the voice of Penny in the new Pixar/Disney Movie Bolt. She has several albums and is still recording.
Despite all her hard work to earn the worldwide fame, several people believe she’s only famous because of her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, and that she’s a terrible role model because she has inappropriate pictures floating around the Internet. “Only insofar as she is the next most likely teen star to go Britney Spears on us. The 15-year-old has even ripped a page from Britney's handbook, publicly proclaiming her virginity while dressing for a hooker convention.” Said Martha Brockenbrough of MSN Cinemama.
This is a legitimate argument but they’re wrong. Yes, her father was/is a famous country singer, and good singing is in the genes. She had to audition for her show Hannah Montana four times to get the role. Yes, there are some bad pictures of her, but everyone makes mistakes. "I don't want to be perfect, but I do want to be a role model. My mom always tells me that imperfections equal beauty. All of us are imperfect." Said Cyrus. And anyone who all of a sudden skyrockets into fame is going to make more mistakes than usual. Everything she does is amplified, and she can’t help that. It’s unfortunate that she took those pictures, but that’s in the past now. “It was one honestly dumb decision. You know, there’s a first time for everything. It was my first time working with a big photographer and blah blah blah blah. I think I just kinda got put under pressure and that’s OK, ’cause I learned a lot from it. And I just know to trust my better judgment and my thought and my gut feeling. And so I just think: be a little more careful next time.” Said Cyrus.
She’s also a good role-model for weight, Teens and Tweens everywhere are upset because of their weight, mainly because of celebrities who refuse to get their picture taken while eating food (like Victoria Beckham), but Cyrus eats away for the camera; yet another example of showing kids that you don’t have to be perfect and there’s always a second chance.
The solution to all this controversy is to leave her alone. She’s working as hard as possible to be a role model. The pressure involved is intense. She’s posting GO GREEN videos on youtube, She’s involved in charitable causes all the time, like the Libby Ross Foundation, City of Hope, and Musicians on Call. Don’t choose her destiny for her, and put her in a box. If you don’t like pop, ‘happy-go-lucky’ attitudes, or the Hannah Montana series, that’s your opinion. She needs to be encouraged, so if you hate her, it won’t help to make a website about all the reasons why.
