Most of us have probably heard of the tween pop sensation, Miley Cyrus, the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, and many of older teens often feel the urge to vomit at the sight of yet one more billboard or just the mention of her name. (I am pretty sure that it's more than just me who feels that way). I personally have a history of hating on teen pop sensations... I used to strongly oppose all Hillary Duff fanaticism, and then all the Lindsay Lohan hype. However, after witnessing the lives of former pop sensations like Britney Spears, and Lohan spiral downwards, I have had a change of heart....maybe...
Before I took AP Microeconomics at school this semester, the idea of money as a reason to support these stars never crossed my mind. Then it hit me-- thousands of jobs are created and supported by building a pop star. Everyone benefits. Factories that make posters and all the paraphernalia that spoiled sixth graders beg their parents for get to provide jobs. Jobs mean income, and income means families can spend money...it's all a part of the economic convection current that rules the world.
Some of you may argue that "artists" like Miley Cyrus cheapen the art of music and entertainment. And honestly, I think you're perfectly right. Miley is no more talented than the average student in the performing arts at any random high school...if even that. Does she write her own songs? Nope. Does she have an impressive range? Nope. Are the arrangements of her songs creative, complex and innovative? Nope. But she DOES have a famous daddy, a T.V. show, and performance experience. Oh...and she can sell tickets. Note though that not even those are from her own hard work. She didn't pick her daddy, and if she wasn't a Cyrus, the wouldn't have that show or the experience. So not only does she cheapen art, but she subconsciously send out the message that good things in life don't have to come from hard work...which is true if you're born with the gift of rich or famous parents, but do we really want our younger siblings and children to be taking in that kind of message? And why doesn't Disney ever make a show about someone who is not well off to begin with, working their way up...maybe one about a disadvantaged minority from a ghetto who has to dodge peer pressure, and deal with living in an area with rampant violence and drug abuse?
Why? I'll tell you why. In America we hate seeing the real world. Oh we say we are culturally aware, and we tell our children that guns and drugs are bad, but you can see the truth in what sells: T.V. shows about self absorbed, middle to upper class (usually white unless you count the token minority characters) teens dealing with their boyfriends, or thinking about how to approach the boy they like, or gossiping about the mean popular girl. Shows like Lizzie McGuire, Hannah Montana, and Zoey 101 are all basically this same idea repeated...over and over again. This is what America teaches it's children. Try as we might to teach our children to value education and to strive to help the world be a better place, our girls learn how to deal with their "crushes", and how to get boyfriends at as young as age six by the examples set by characters on TV.
One of the worst culprits is the shoe Zoey 101. It's about a bunch of 14 year olds who go to a boarding school in what appears to be Malibu. Every episode revolves around the latest boy-girl drama going on with the protagonists, who kiss and make out (if they don't do it on the show it certainly is implied). Who watches it? Seven and eight year olds. What happens as a result? Ten year olds are making out and girls as young as twelve are engaging in sexual intercourse. I have a MAJOR problem with that. Why the fig can't they produce television shows with superheroes anymore? Those were harmless, and they made kids want to fight crime, and get the bad guys and help the planet. Gone, it seems, are the days of adventurous but ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Shows like that would be far more beneficial to society than Hannah Montana and Zoey 101.
But then again...these TV shows sell. So my question for all of you is the following: Are the billions or dollars generated by stars like Miley Cyrus worth the cultural decay they seem to trigger?
***Constructive criticism about my writing style is greatly welcomed! Thank you!***
Just for the record...it's Miley. With an "I"
haha yeah I realized that after I posted it. lol.
It's alright--she doesn't deserve to have her name spelled right. She dresses like she's thirty--and she's only, what? 14? 15? I agree with you--it sends a message to children because they see "Miley Cyrus," "Hannah Montana," as well as the true Miley (off camera) in things such as her ridiculous youtube videos.
And Disney is notorious for churning out actress-turned-singing-sensation. It's a way for them to make money. And sadly, I think there would be lots of parents unhappy if their child was watching "Tommy in the Ghetto" on Disney.
The billions of dollars could be generated by superheroes just as well as Myley Cyrus. I can't make a comment on her actual talent, because I've never heard/seen her perform. But she's going to have to be extremely talented to break out of the Hannah Montana mold. If she can. If she wants too.
The worst part about Zoey 101 is that Jaime Lynn Spears in now pregnant at sixteen. I mean, I know it's sort of common nowadays. I mean, I know a few pregnant teenagers personally. But she's supposed to be a role model.
But I agree with you. It's not worth the hype. Unless she's got the talent... but I can't comment on that.
"Then is hit me-- thousands of jobs are created and supported by building a pop star."
This may seem like a digression of yer topic, but I just wonder what kind of jobs. The minimum wage after school thing or are we talking groovy green tech gigs? I'm guessing the former. Employment opportunities are opportunities, but it's good to keep things in perspective.
Every organism's heartbeat holds a universe of beauty at http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly
Hannah Montana aka MIley Cyrus is quite the little pop artist. She doesnt seem to have as bad of an influence on little kids as Zoey 101 does though. That show gives kids too many ideas. I also have a humungo problem with 10 year old kids getting boyfriends/ girlfriends and doing god knows what with them. Miley Cyrus seems to be more under control.
I like her.
And I hate everyone.
So that should say something, ha.
I think with the reputation all these cute little pop princesses have, everyone is quick to judge Miley. I think she's a cutie-pants with talent for her work. She became successful and people hate her... whether it's hate from jealousy, reputations of past people like her, or whatever, people hate her, and it's usually unfounded.
I love her to death and I see no problem with the way she talks, the songs she sings, or the socks that have her face printed on them. (not that my kids would ever be allowed to wear them... but some of you already know my aversion to character shoes/clothes/whatever. ha)
If any of you were in a situation similar to hers, you'd probably be saying "why are all these people hatin' on me?"
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Your Tongue is a Rudder; It Steers the Whole Ship, Sends Your Words Past Your Lips or Keeps Them Safe Behind Your Teeth... [Brand New]
Now that the pop industry has built her up, she needs to be destroyed by the paparazzi industry.
If we don't get our annual sacrifice of a pop star, the crops will wither in the fields.
Or so goes the wisdom of South Park. And I have noticed that they are uniquely insightful.
I truly DO NOT care for this young lady. She's ugly, can't sing or act and I hate that stupid song Party in the USA where all she does is SCREAM at listeners. The only reason this child is popular is because of her unattractive father who also has absolutely NO talent. I think she should be the porn star that she looks like and crawl under a rock. I wouldn't encourage ANY young lady I know to idolize this girl!
You are right that Miley Cyrus became famous not because she sings well or writes songs. It is because she is borned as a Cyrus which gave her the fame and popularity.