What’s wrong with Miley Cyrus?

Chloe Jackson, Student Life Editor
February 9, 2012
Filed under Opinion

When the popular Disney show Hannah Montana came out when most of us were in middle school, it was an instant hit. Girls loved to sing along with her and boys formed crushes on its namesake character, Miley Cyrus. Over the years, then 12-year-old Cyrus grew up and started doing more adult things, as any teenager does. The only difference is that Cyrus grew up in the public eye and was expected to be a perfect role model for the young girls that idolized her.

In the past few years, Cyrus has had forays in pole dancing at an awards show and reportedly smoking salvia and marijuana. Even before that, provocative pictures of her were leaked and spread like wildfire online. And then, who can forget the media uproar that came after Cyrus posed wrapped in a bed sheet for Vanity Fair in 2008? Most recently, Cyrus was photographed provocatively tasting her boyfriend Liam Hemsworth’s birthday cake. Obviously, you wouldn’t want elementary school girls mimicking her actions. Though I don’t agree with everything she has done, I personally don’t see why everyone hates Miley Cyrus.

Cyrus has made it clear for years that she makes mistakes like any other teen. In reality, it’s probably worse for her because she’s growing up in Hollywood and constantly under the public eye. She has taken much flack for her actions for years, and the good she does is rarely brought to the attention of the media, or is twisted so much it becomes a whole different story. She has also been under much criticism for being “fat”, though at 5’ 4’’ and 110 pounds, she is far from it.

What many people don’t know about Cyrus is that she is very opinionated on issues such as equal rights for same sex couples. She even has a tattoo on her finger of an equal sign, that stands for equal rights. Once she tweeted photos of her tattoo, she received criticism from Christian fans, who accused Cyrus of not staying true to her religion. Cyrus then tweeted “Where does it say in the Bible to judge others? Oh right. It doesn’t. GOD is the only judge honey. GOD is love.’” The star even has a full page spread in Glamour magazine explaining her stance on the issue.

And after spreading the word about popular clothing store Urban Outfitters’ copying independent jewelry designers designs, Cyrus pledged to never shop there again, and encouraged others to do the same. Around the same time Cyrus found out about their CEO’s contributions to Rick Santorum’s campaign, and quoted the candidate saying  “If we allow gay marriage next thing you know people will be marrying goldfish.” Cyrus sparked much conversation about the company’s “shady” business, and many are worried that she’ll actually have an effect on their revenue. I say, good for her. Maybe they’ll make a change in their corrupt practices.

Cyrus has even voiced her support for the Occupy Wall Street movement, and made a video titled “Don’t Give Up: It’s a Liberty Walk!” Though she is technically in the one percent occupiers are rallying against, many appreciate the support from such a well- known celebrity, though she has gotten a lot of criticism for it too. On top of all of her activism for things she believes in, she supported fellow star Demi Lovato when she was in rehab by sending her cards and presents to let her know she was there for her. And in response to all of the media’s criticism for being fat, she tweeted “By calling girls like me fat this is what you’re doing to other people. I love MYSELF and if you could say the same you wouldn’t be sitting on your computer trying to hurt others.”

Whatever you think of Miley Cyrus as a person, it’s hard to ignore the fact that she has become a woman who acts on her beliefs and isn’t afraid to voice her opinion. Yes, she has done some things in the past that many people don’t deem appropriate, but who hasn’t?