Cyrus Reps Make Big Misstep

What were they thinking? Vanity Fair can shoot 15-year-old Disney pop star Miley Cyrus in a silk bedsheet if they want to. Clearly, mighty star photographer Annie Leibovitz was persuasive; Cyrus thought she was participating in something "artistic," she told People.com, adding that from now on she would "trust my support team."

But the reps behind the Hannah Montana family brand should be ashamed of themselves, not only for showcasing their teen star as a sex object, but misreading her fanbase. It's obvious and stupid. According to Vanity Fair's statement to E.T., Cyrus's parents were at the shoot. Here's the NYT and Reuters:

"For Vanity Fair, I was so honored and thrilled to work with Annie. 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," Cyrus said in a statement published on People magazine's Web site.

The Disney Channel backed up the rising star saying in a statement that "a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines."

No one from Vanity Fair was immediately available to comment.

But in a statement to the TV show "Entertainment Tonight," Vanity Fair defended itself.

"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," said the magazine's statement.

Regarding the photos on the Internet, Cyrus said these were "silly, inappropriate shots" and she was sorry if she had disappointed anyone.

"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," she said.

"Most of all, I have let myself down. I will learn from my mistakes and trust my support team. My family and my faith will guide me through my life's journey."

UPDATE: MCN's David Poland sees nothing to make a fuss about. The LAT's Mary McNamara. And Kim Masters on NPR.

Comments

[Big Bomb]

"Regarding the photos on the Internet, Cyrus said these were 'silly, inappropriate shots' and she was sorry if she had disappointed anyone."

This statement above is about pictures of her posing in undies, etc., with her gal pals getting leaked out. Typical high-spirited teenager shots, except she's a huge star.

So, she can't claim that she was manipulated into the Vanity Fair poses. She clearly likes acting "sexy" and she's not the first 15 year old to do so. My fading memories of high school encompass girls and boys reaching sexual maturity and acting out in sexual ways. Our arbitrary threshold of 18, does not make nature bend its ways ...

[AA]

Annie Leibovitz issues her statement.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20195876,00.html

"I'm sorry that my portrait of Miley has been misinterpreted," says Leibovitz in a statement issued Monday. "Miley and I looked at fashion photographs together and we discussed the picture in that context before we shot it. The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful."

[christopher roberts]

This is a very rare instance where I disagree with your analysis of a situation. I certainly don't hold the Cyrus family blameless for their poor decision-making, but I think what Leibovitz and Vanity Fair did here was reprehensible. Photo shoots are a coercive environment (even if they are mutually beneficial), and a legendary photographer clearly has the upper hand over a young subject, no matter how media-savvy and well-represented she is. Leibovitz and Vanity Fair chose to sexualize (a) a 15-year-old, and (b) a Disney commodity. They must be giddy with this twin killing! And that quote with the photo, deliberately linking Cyrus with Spears and Lohan! It absolutely creates the impression that Leibovitz and VF approached the assignment with a mission, one which they realized perfectly.

[Anne thompson]

Both Vanity Fair and the Cyrus parents knew what they were doing, but the Cyrus camp made a timing mistake. They got ahead of themselves in trying to make a career transition for Miley before her young fans were ready for her to do so. Vanity Fair loses nothing here. And I don't necessarily see Lohan/Spears craziness in the offing. But this overt marketing exploitation of a kid makes me nuts.

[mitkid]

If the Cyrus camp has a complaint it's with themselves and themselves only. Leibovitz and Vanity Fair do what they do (and they do it very well). If the Cyrus folks wanted a guaranteed puff piece they should have gone on Access Hollywood or Entertainment Tonight.

[Sandra Branum]

I am saddened by the whole situation. Children need the opportnity to mature naturally, and adults, even photographers and magazine CEOs, should allow them that opportunity. To put it bluntly, how would YOU feel if your teenage boy or girl were seen in such compromising photos? THINK PEOPLE!