Miley Cyrus Picture Scandal (Or Not)
The St. Petersburg Times ran a quote in today's paper from Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana), addressing "controversial" pictures that recently appeared on the Internet. These are the snapshots RIGHT HERE, which are not so controversial after all (although that blond could be trouble in the future).
This was Miley's quote: "It's two girls at a sleepover, and if all of a sudden that's bad, then what is the world coming to?"
In yesterday's paper, we predicted who would be the major newsmakers in '08. I picked the 15-year-old Cyrus, mainly because she'll continue her record-setting concert tour plus she has a movie coming out, which is gonna be a ticket-gobbling monster. The heat will only get worse for her -- the tabs and paps are digging for dirt on Cyrus for sure. But I say Miley does just fine -- although, really, lose that blond friend. She's bad news waiting to happen.
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
THIS WEEK'S SHOW: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rock Tampa Bay. To hear the latest "Stuck in the 80s" episode now, 
I'd like to get invited to that sleepover? Was thaat a twizzler?
Posted by: ClayFan | January 02, 2008 at 01:02 PM
You guys had 10 people to watch and didn't name any of the Presidents-to-be candidates.
And being the music critic that you are, what is the over/under on a Garth Brooks tour?
Posted by: sparky | January 02, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Oprah was on there -- which means so was Obama.
A full Garth tour? Hmmm. I don't know. But you'll probably see him do more "special" appearances this year. Garth in Vegas? That makes sense.
Posted by: Sean Daly | January 02, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Shame on you, ClayFan! Miley is young enough to be your daughter, you big perv!! Don't you feel dirty??
With that said, are you still willing to help Sean paint this weekend? He could use the help - as you can imagine, his painting skills are not as sharp as his writing skills!
And as far as the Miley pics are concerned, I think they are innocent enough. The media is just digging for something to turn Miley into the next Paris, Lindsay or Britney, and this is the best they could do. This shows how scandal hungry this country has become. Just leave the poor girl alone!
That includes you, ClayFan!
Posted by: Forever Fiancee | January 02, 2008 at 03:30 PM
so let me get this right; disney can sexualize little girls and make money off of them, but let them have some fun at a sleep over and let's label them? help me understand.
Posted by: frank | January 02, 2008 at 03:36 PM
This is silly. She's not a Britney......yet. Let her have fun, she's only 15!
She needs better friends, not gold-diggers.
Posted by: Al | January 02, 2008 at 06:44 PM
I dont really know why some people are making this a huge issue. This photo was taken in October. I've heard Miley's words and she is pissed. Just leave her alone. Its her and her friend sharing a piece of candy...OMG so sexual! Haha NO! Even though she is famous she is still a noraml 15 year old...so get over it and expect more things like this. Its her choice. So go get lives you losers.
Posted by: Hailee | January 02, 2008 at 07:30 PM
I dug deep into my memory to recall my early teen years, and what would have happened if sleep overs I attended had been photographed and shared with countless people.
There were girly jammies, running around outside in those jammies, silly games, food fights, tickle fights, the 'haha' game... jeez! all innocent things. We never once thought we were doing something salacious or perverse.
People need to stop behaving like Quagmire and just let it go.
Posted by: Marissa | January 02, 2008 at 07:40 PM
I think the difference with Miley Cyrus is that she has parents who take an active role in raising her (as opposed to wanting to party with her). It's pretty obvious that this young lady is just having a bit of harmless fun.
Posted by: DG | January 02, 2008 at 08:50 PM
I saw those snaps of 21-year-old Lindsay Lohan hooking up with three different party people over one weekend. Everyone was aghast and tsk-tsking -- but I'm pretty sure that was my goal whenever I went down to Ocean City, Md. I'm willing to bet when you were 21, it was YOUR goal as well.
Sooner or later, Miley Cyrus will get caught smoking a cig or sipping a beer or kissing some boy on the beach. The tabs and paparazzi will make sure of that. It will be no big deal -- at the same time it will be a HUGE deal. It's all part of the Faustian bargain of being America's billion-dollar sweetheart. We'll see what happens...
Posted by: Sean Daly | January 02, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Please -- booze fueled hook-ups were most assuredly my goal at age 21 (honestly, it was more like age 19, as that was the legal drinking age back when such things were of import to me.)
DG makes a most excellent point -- Miley is simply being what I consider a well-adjusted teen, with responsible parents and a refreshing attitude. Since this is the exception rather than the rule with other celebs in her age group, people aren't sure how to respond.
Posted by: jane | January 02, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Jane, do you recall the "ha ha" game I spoke of? I was just talking about it the other day with a male co-worker. He'd never heard of it. Then again, few boys had slumber parties.
I refuse to be held accountable for anything I did between the ages of 19 and 21... No, make that 19-21 and 35-40.
Posted by: Marissa | January 03, 2008 at 12:21 AM
On a happier note.....the Goo Goo Dolls released a Greatest Hits CD. I'm not a big fan, it's chick music, but it makes more sense for them to have one than Hilary Duff!
Posted by: Al | January 03, 2008 at 01:34 AM
The skirt she's wearing in the picture above is more scandalous than those party pictures. Hey Billy Ray, you'd better make sure she's got panties under there.
Posted by: Pete Bogs | January 03, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Her skirt is no shorter than that of the wholesome Brady girls in the Brady Bunch. It looks to me like she's wearing a skort: Skirt and Short combined.
Posted by: Marissa | January 03, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Mariss, tell us about the haha game?
Please?
Posted by: Breathing Heavily | January 03, 2008 at 09:24 AM
SD, you mean you didn't go to Ocean City on church functions when you were 21. My image is blown.
Posted by: sparky | January 03, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Ah, the 'ha-ha' game. You'll have to use your powers of visualization here (Much like we all do regarding Sean's Hover move and Dance of the 7-buttons).
Slumber party attendees lay down placing their head on the belly of the girl ahead of them. FACE UP! You end up with a zig-zag pattern. The 1st girl says "Ha!" causing the head of the girl on her belly to bounce. The next girl says "ha-ha", 3rd "ha-ha-ha" and so on. A 'ha!" is added with each girl.
The object is to resist bursting into laughter. It's more difficult than you'd think ...especially at age 13. I've never tried this as an adult, mind you.
Posted by: Marissa | January 03, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Oh, "face up".
I wish someone would have explained that to me a couple of months ago.
Posted by: Jamie Lynn Spears | January 03, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Give me a break you can't be serious thinking these pics are anything but innocent teenagers having fun .Somthing is wrong with society when we are trying to make more of it.Are we that uptight here now.Miley Cyrus[Hannah Montana]is just being a teenager here.
Posted by: A Dad | January 03, 2008 at 03:18 PM
I think shes hot so who cares? Her life.
Posted by: some dude | February 10, 2008 at 02:17 PM
u should all just leave her alone
Posted by: jade | February 17, 2008 at 05:08 PM