The Mom Blog is written by moms (and a couple of dads) in Orange County. 
Hannah Montana almost naked? Disney and fans not amused
April 28th, 2008, 12:01 pm · 45 Comments · posted by Marla Jo Fisher
Just in case your kids have been yearning to see what Disney’s Hannah Montana would look like if she were half naked, emerging from bed and clutching sheets to cover her privates, tell them to check out the June issue of Vanity Fair magazine.
The actress who plays Hannah, Miley Cyrus, is 15 years old. Her parents were at the photo shoot where the famous portrait photographer Annie Leibowitz shot Miley for her profile in the well-known magazine.
At the time, everyone was thrilled with the photos, according to Vanity Fair spokespeople. Only after an uproar from fans objecting to the defilement of her squeaky-clean Disney sitcom image did Miley say she’s embarrassed by the picture.
But it’s not only the photos that show that little Hannah Montana is growing up. The article starts off quoting Miley as saying that the racy TV offering “Sex in the City” is her favorite show, and that parts of the Hannah Montana sitcom were developed along the same lines.
“Hannah Montana” is one of my kids’ favorite shows and a huge hit for the Disney Channel. I let them watch it because, even though the show portrays a rock star, the scripts generally portray good moral values of friendship and honesty. And there’s no sex other than a little mild flirtation.
But these latest photos show that little Hannah won’t be little much longer. It’s the latest in a long trend toward sexualization of children.
I can see how her parents, (her dad is singer Billy Ray Cyrus), could permit the famous photographer to shoot Miley in a suggestive bedroom pose. Supposedly she looks topless but actually was covered in front, according to Vanity Fair.
And, if it was your own kid, it wouldn’t look that shocking to see them emerging from a tangle of bedcovers. It would just look sweet.
But when the girl emerging from the bedcovers is hot enough to make teenage boys take their copies of Vanity Fair and disappear into locked bathrooms, it’s time to draw the line.
And, hello, I know the Cyrus family is used to fame and photographers, but this is Vanity Fair we’re talking about. The magazine that put a naked pregnant Demi Moore on the cover. They’re not familiar with the concept of demure.
When the news came over my TV this morning about Hannah and her racy photos, I hurried to shut it off before the kids saw it. There’s enough pressure on them already to grow up too fast. They just don’t need Miley to help them do it.
Here’s the Vanity Fair article, by the way, if you want to read it, with more photos and behind-the-scenes photos.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I am gonna go out on a limb here…and possibly upset some people-but I do not find this photo offensive. Anne Leibowitz is a master of her craft. Clearly she was attempting to ’strip down’ the singer from all the Disney Machine has done to her. She was attempting to create a brutally honest and authentic portrait of the young girl. The result is a slightly baroque/reniassance flavored portrait with strong over tones to a by-gone era. An era in which the beauty of youth was celebrated-and by no means was intended to be sexual. Also- claims that say she posed ‘topless’ are false. She shows absolutely no breast in any photo. People are frequently bothered when they see our young stars grow up- we want them young forever. I think the public is bothered because they look at a creative, artistic photograph and see something sexual. That is a problem with the viewer- and not the subject matter.
I know many will disagree with me. And that is okay. That is the point of commenting and blogging all this jazz isn’t it? It should also be noted that I am a children’s photographer-so I may (okay I AM) very biased and I certainly approach these issues from a different perspective.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I am outraged by the recent photos of Miley Cyrus.
she claims to be wholesome and pure; she even wears or maybe she no longer is wearing her purity ring. The only reason I let my daughter watch her or take her to her concerts is for that reason. I will no longer let my daughter be corrupted by this.
It’s simply not okay to take these type of pictures and then simply say, oops I am not perfect everyone make mistakes (sounds like her song) life imitating art. She knew some how these pictures would emerge onto the internet where thousands of children look her up.
I will continue to pray for you Miley that you will find your way back to the LORD; I am not saying you left, however what I am saying if you are living for him these type of things should not come in to your thoughts for you to act on them.
And remain pure, be that beacon that our society truly needs for the generation.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Personally I think Annie Leibowitz crossed the line here. After all this is a 15 year old girl. Okay, maybe she’s not actually naked under the sheet but the implication is there. Miley Cyrus is indeed an interesting subject and the creative direction behind the shoot could have gone in many directions. I just wish Leibowitz would have taken a different route.
Hmmm…maybe I’m just jealous of all the attention Miley is getting over her racy photos. The press didn’t even report on my midriff baring 80’s photo that I posted on my blog. The injustice of it all!
April 28th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Whats the problem?…Her parents were at the shoot, if there was a problem they would say so..she wasn’t naked..and the kids who watch hannah montana are too young to even know whats going on. Whats the problem…people just want to make something thats nothing an issue cause maybe their bored with their lives.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
In my opinion they did cross the line. I believe the family should have asked for them not to be published. According to the photographer they were approved. Anyway, I would not allow my daughter to be photographed like this when she is only 15 years old, especially knowing that it will be published in a national magazine. Where are the childhoods? Maybe (just maybe) they were not intended to be sexual in nature but don’t think for a moment that a boy will not be aroused by these types of photos. I do not see the “art” in this type of photography.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Hallelujah MyGlamorousLife! I totally agree - I have a daughter who is 8 and loves Miley/Hannah! I don’t see anything wrong with the photo - it is beautiful and IT IS ART! Annie Liebowitz is known for different and interesting photos. This photo is not risque - once again, its art! People really need to start cutting each other some slack. Who freakin’ cares! She should not be ashamed - I love the picture. And since I’m very open with my children, I showed her the picture to my daughter to show her how interesting and different it is and to tell them about t