Miley Cyrus Naked?

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Monday, April 28, 2008

filed under: tween & teen logic

How to talk to your teen or tween about Miley Cyrus' racy Vanity Fair photos.

First, there were the pics with Miley and her gal pal. Then, there were the shots of her half-clothed, draped over some guy's lap. And now, more racy pics of Miley Cyrus surface ... this time in Vanity Fair. In the as-yet unreleased Vanity Fair photos by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, the teen star appears to be topless, covered only by a bedsheet.

The singer, 15, tells People: "My goal in my music and my acting is always to make people happy. For Vanity Fair, I was so honored and thrilled to work with Annie [Leibovitz]. I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed."

"The pictures of me on the Internet were silly, inappropriate shots," she continues. "I appreciate all the support of my fans, and hope they understand that along the way I am going to make mistakes and I am not perfect ... My family and my faith will guide me through my life's journey."

The Disney Channel said "a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines." But Vanity Fair told ET "Miley's parents and/or minders were on the set all day. Since the photo was taken digitally, they saw it on the shoot and everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley."

Annie Leibovitz says she is sorry the photo has been "misinterpreted." "The photograph is a a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup," she said in her released statement, "and I think it is very beautiful."

Momlogic spoke with Shannon Fox about the sexualization of young girls, and how to talk to your own daughter about her role model's racy pics.

Momlogic: Is there anything wrong with what Miley's doing, or is it just typical teen stuff?

Shannon Fox: It's wrong because Miley is a role model for so many young girls--many of them as young as 5 years old. She's really aware of her audience and her fans, and how much they look up to her. So as a role model, she has a completely different responsibility than an average 15-year-old girl does. Posing for shots like this when so many young girls follow your every move is a bit irresponsible.

Momlogic: Why are girls this age so sexualized?

Shannon Fox: One of the messages that girls these days get is that a girl becomes a woman when she is sexy. If a girl wants to be a grown-up, she puts on sexy clothes, takes a sexy photo, or maybe even has sex. Then, according to society, she'll be a grown-up. Graduating from high school or getting a job no longer make teens feel like adults--but being sexy does.

Momlogic: How do Moms talk to their kids about these racy pics?

Shannon Fox:

1. Ask Questions. The best way to get a teen or tween to open up is to ask them questions. Instead of giving your opinion right away (like 'She's way too young to do this--she's only 15'), ask your teen, "What do you think about these pictures?" Then ask her if she's seen any photos like that of kids she knows online. Are her friends posting pics like this? If she says yes, ask her what she thinks about that.

2. Stress Consequences. Tell her the thing about pictures is that they last forever. It's nice to get attention, sure, but wouldn't she rather get attention for something other than looking sexy?

3. Get Real. If your kids are old enough, this is a good time to get the grossness factor in there. Say: "Pics like these can turn you into a form of pornography." Smacking kids with a little bit of reality will help bring your point home.

What do you think about the Vanity Fair pics?

Click on an image to view the Miley Cyrus Racy Pics Gallery!

50 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

Disney keeps turning these girls into sex symbols at the age of 15. Such a shame!! I had high hopes for Miley being a role model for my 9 year old. She has stopped watching Hannah Montana on her own due to all of the controversy. Here’s an idea: Let 15 year olds look like 15 year olds!! Act like 15 year olds. They are by no means sex symbols. No wonder men are hemophiles!

- sumac

Posted 04/28/08 03:23 PM

sumac- fyi…a hemophile is someone who bleeds uncontrollably. i think you meant pedophile. and no. that’s not why men do such things. it’s because they are sick and have major problems. there are plenty of men who are around cute teenage girls and would never have such wrong and dirty thoughts! anyway… give me a break! the vanity fair photos were hardly “racy”. she shows her exposed back. big deal! either you like the girl or you don’t. is really fair to compare her to lindsay or brittney…drugs, depression, unstable home life, etc… she seems perfectly normal…a cute famous 15 year old.

- Anonymous

Posted 04/28/08 04:50 PM

Too many people don’t know what sexuality is, including Disney Inc. No one can be sexual without showing skin or using provocative language. That’s why teenagers shouldn’t be sexual. Boys and girls! Boys don’t have the self control to use their sexuality and girls aren’t mature either. Christians are always villified for promoting abstinance and self-control. But it always seems those ways are the healthiest physically and mentally. And there are way too many sick puppies out there! Women too!

- Men

Posted 04/28/08 04:53 PM

plenty of people can be sexually promiscuous without showing skin or using provacative language…the choices one makes can make them plenty promiscuous ! sexuality is normal and healthy and EVERYONE is sexual…yes everyone even boys and girls! it is the job of the parent to explain and help guide their children to grow into responsible adults . teenagers are, have been and will always be sexual. education and communication will help them understand their feelings and perhaps make better choices and have more self control.

- Anonymous

Posted 04/28/08 08:11 PM

Look, i am turnin 15 this yr and no way do i think that is a racy pic-its her and a sheet, there is no breasts or downstairs showing or anything-its her back! get over it people! i hav not yet seen the ones posted alst week over her boyfriend’s lap and the green bra one but who cares bout the bra! ok look ppl wear bikinis to the beach rite? well the only difference is the material. and bout the lap one?! get over it again! y r we putting so much concentration on famous pplz when by the time ive finished writing this 20 kids would have died of starvation! but noooooooooo coz shes famous everyone has 2 hav a say! she is a teenager so let her hav freedom! she is a great role model for people even though she has slip ups! WE ARE ALL HUMAN AND MAKE MISTAKES AND MAKE THE WRONG DECISIONS SOMETIMES!!!

- stoopid pplz

Posted 04/29/08 04:20 AM

The problem is: a 14yr old girl uses starving people to excuse promoting sex. Every example stoopid pplz excused was meant to be sexual. Why are we supposed to feel ashamed for standing up for a healthy self-esteem. When did you have a health conversation with your father last? The lack of a HEALTHY relationship with your father is the biggest reason for self-esteem problems amongst girls/women. Sex should be private and with someone you love. If it was, there would be much less disease, violence and kids being locked in their homes/yards for their own safety. This is prostitution - sex for money! How about that? Do you think Miley is without a shirt for any other reason? Perverts should be skinned in the town square (literally).

- Men

Posted 04/29/08 11:28 AM

There are two ways you can interpret these photos, one. a simple beautiful natural picture of miley, or two. an image to attract people to her, and her sexuality. I think its the first, personally if i was miley i wouldn’t have done a photo shoot like that. I do however think she is brave doing a photoshoot like this because famous or not, at 15 most girls dont like to get half naked in front of a camera. (and if they do its not for the right reasons!) It shows she is comfortable with her body, even though i dont think she is showing anything at all, still the message got to me. And in its own way it is reaching young girls, not to go out and get naked but the mature ones it shows that showing skin isn’t always about the sexual side. She isn’t pulling a sexy face or anything i think this photo is deep, it may not be appropriate for a magazine cover, but everyone makes mistakes. give her a break she had good intentions.

- 17yr old girl

Posted 04/29/08 01:03 PM

So, Miley couldn’t have done a photo shoot without getting naked???? And if it is ‘done in good taste’ why is it a mistake? Stop making excuses and start thinking!

- Men

Posted 04/29/08 03:37 PM

regardless of the pictures who wants their daughter to look up to a lip-syncing talent agency cookie cutter teenie-bopper whose tickets cost thousands of dollars to go see anyway. introduce your kids to the beatles, trust me they’ll turn out a lot better.

- Anonymous

Posted 04/30/08 01:21 PM

How do you think we got those teenie-boppers? lol

- Men

Posted 04/30/08 02:05 PM

You know what people these days are to critical. Let the girl be a kid all kids do stupid things one time in the life or so. Hey an artist did it of course she didn’t think it was wrong. The artist should of known not a 15 year old. Hey let it be.

- penny

Posted 04/30/08 09:32 PM

I wonder what Walt would think of his empire he built so many years ago, now. He built his dreams for “families” not teen idols. The Disney company stands behind her and the others simply because it is business and they make millions off these kids. Do I blame the photographer? No, she did her job. Miley’s parents on the other hand, HUMMMMMM!!! This is strike three for Disney and we have simply turned Disney off and distroyed anything Hannah Montanna. I hope we do not have another Britney again. No one has asked what to say to the five year old girl and takes off her PJ’s and sits in her bed and says “Look Mommy, I’m just like Miley.” Miss Miley, please remember, you are just a “kid” at 15 and you still need to grow up. We wish you the best, but we will not be supporting you. Even our dance studio has taken all posters of you down and will not play your music. Godd Luck

- Just a Mom

Posted 05/01/08 07:21 AM

I think disney should just give a warning to miley becaus she is one of my favorite singer and tv actress what is my point is we all make mistakes and every fan doesent want her to be replaced.

- philip

Posted 05/02/08 02:06 PM

i think that miley was confused so then she just made naked pictures and i wouldnt not watch hannah montana because she rocks and shes my role model and for who ever dosnt like miley cyrus anymore just because of these pictures but me i love her and is my role model……

- rency katach

Posted 05/04/08 01:48 PM

what the *** what r u doin with your body

- tia

Posted 05/07/08 05:12 PM

what are you doing.your making a big mustake everybody likes you but if you keep it up nobody is going to like you and you going to get kicked off of disney chanel and probuly even get pregnet i’m your bigest fan miley think about your other million fans

- alexis lopez

Posted 06/07/08 10:04 PM

I think taht miley did that 4 a second downloaded it like stupid vanessa hudgens did but miley made a mistake deep in here heart i know shes cool!

- Milo

Posted 06/12/08 12:24 AM

she downloaded it but she was being bad but she relized it was bad, u should not do that cause people will thonk u decausting

- Milogirl90

Posted 06/12/08 12:26 AM

You people are pathetic-You create a separate definition of being a teenager for Miley because she’s a role model for so many young girls? She has to limit herself and how she acts because of how others see her because she’s more of a public figure? Please. Miley is a teen, a teen is a teen. Though she’s famous, it doesn’t mean she’s not a teen. And kids these days are honestly crazy, I, for one, am too when it comes to what I do in life. Get over it-Plus…Why would kids be looking at this cover shoot? Is this magazine even meant for young girls to look at? Please, some of you are wording comments as if Miley would even be reading them and one were to say, “You’ll get pregnant.” You moron-Way to make your reference obvious, and such action was as well being as much of a teen as Miley is. They’re still humans, kids living in the present generation. Get over it.

- Kenneth

Posted 06/17/08 10:25 PM

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- megan

Posted 08/06/08 08:26 AM