The Ruckus Over Miley Cyrus’ Pole Dance Begins
Posted by: Nikki Dowling
Filed in:
celebs
2:00PM, Wednesday August 12th 2009
We knew Miley Cyrus’ brief pole dance at the Teen Choice Awards was going to spark a debate and, lo and behold, it has. Parent advocacy groups are up in arms, and blogs are crowing: “Miley Cyrus Does Her Part For the Pornification Of America.” In Newsday, child psychologist Wendi Fischer opined, “She’s sending the message that this is ‘OK’ to do, and I don’t think it is OK to do.” [Newsday]
The Disney Channel, which made Miley a star in “Hannah Montana,” has backed away from the controversy: “The Disney Channel won’t be commenting on that performance, although parents can rest assured that all content presented on the Disney Channel is age-appropriate for our audience — kids 6-14 — and consistent with what our brand values are.” Miley’s record label hasn’t said anything.
What does Miley have to say for herself? We have no idea—she hasn’t commented yet. Before the performance, she seemed pumped about it. “This is to represent where I am from,” she told MTV. “I’m so proud of it. All the girls trying to be Hollywood and stuff with their big glasses, [this is] me shooing them away.” [MTV]
In Tennessee, ice cream trucks come equipped with stripper poles?
TheFrisky.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
cattgirl813
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 02:20 pm: [report]
Okay, am I missing something here? I didn’t see stripper pole or raunchy in this at all - especially compared to some of the videos, TV shows, and other performances I’ve seen on awards shows. (BET Awards, I’m looking at you.) It seemed to me the pole was there more for her to balance on while the cart moved, but add one quick and tame squat and everyone’s all “OMG! SHE’S ON A STRIPPER POLE!” Everyone, please take a breath and get a grip. Keep moving because there’s nothing - harmful, slutty or otherwise - to see here.
And before anyone asks, I’m a 42 year old woman with no kids, I’m not a fan of Miley Cyrus (though this song is kind of catchy), a spokesperson for the Teen Choice Awards, or a stripper.
cattgirl813
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 02:21 pm: [report]
Apropos of nothing, it’s good to be able to get The Frisky again. For about a month, whenever I tried to navigate to this site my computer would either freeze or the site would run incredibly slow. I missed you guys!
Ghirardelli
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 02:29 pm: [report]
Obviously she’s trying to shake the little girl image. She shouldn’t have used the pole and danced hooker-ish at the Teen awards (duh, not appropriate for kids to see, then imitate) but I watched her danced and she didn’t go all the way, just bordered on too old for her own good.
gevlife
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 03:07 pm: [report]
is it just me or is she not a very good dancer? I feel like they put the pole out there to give her a prop so she didnt look so awkward!
StickBus
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 03:18 pm: [report]
Boohoo. Apparently this was bad, but the fact that categories were packed with R rated movies and True Blood is totally okay?
Just keep turning that blind-eye, Parents of America.
Emi
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 03:23 pm: [report]
What bothered me most was her singing. Sorry, but I think her back up singers had better voices. :(
impoddity
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 03:34 pm: [report]
I don’t see the big deal here. The pole was just a prop. And some of the suggestive moves of her back up dancers should be more of a concern to the conservative parents.
Not impressed.
Justine
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 07:12 pm: [report]
This is lame. If anything, I’m more offended by her short short-shorts.
KellyJean
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 08:09 pm: [report]
I agree with StickBus. Why are there R-rated movies and shows like True Blood on the Teen Choice Awards? I think allowing those to be nominated are more of a problem. There’s no place for a 14 year old to be watching True Blood (and I’m an avid fan.) Those are the real issues with the Teen Choice Awards.
KellyJean
wrote on August 12 2009 @ 08:13 pm: [report]
Sidenote: I just went to the Teen Choice Award website, and their immediate ad is the “Bop It” toy. Again, they’re selling TOYS, but giving awards to R-rated horror and action films, nominating adult programming, and promoting the sexualization of America’s Youth. Absurd.
nutmeghan
wrote on August 17 2009 @ 09:33 pm: [report]
if you actually WATCH the video, you can see her brief “pole-dance” is actually more of a “hold-onto-the-pole-with-one-hand-so-you-don’t-fall-off-dance”. nothing sexual about it at all. i label this a teenage girl trying to assert her grown-up-ness. all harmless.
Scurvette
wrote on October 21 2009 @ 04:22 pm: [report]
well geez. i was hoping she’d atleast climb it or spin around it or SOMETHING.
moonmaedyn
wrote on November 1 2009 @ 08:28 am: [report]
I love the whole “This is to represent where I’m from” and she’s coming out of a TRAILER.
Can you say “Trailer Trash?”
I thought so.