Miley Cyrus gets more than she bargained for

CYRUS. The critiques may be pungent, but they’re well-meant.
AFP

It looks like Miley Cyrus got more than she bargained for when she recently “killed” her original show biz persona, “sweet” Hannah Montana, by “shamelessly” stripping and “twerking” at the MTV awards rites last month.

Yes, her “sexy” moves heated up her image and boosted the annual video music rites’ ratings by some 60 percent. —But, they also resulted in a veritable storm and flood of protests from many concerned and even shocked people, including parents and teachers who worried that young Miley was setting a bad example for other youths.

Even more disturbingly for the beleaguered star, some of her critics were show biz personalities like her, who feared, not just for her stellar future, but also for her personal equanimity and cohesive self-image.

Most recently, the once similarly controversial Sinead O’Connor tried to knock some sense into Miley’s head by pointing out that she didn’t have to play the entertainment industry’s “willing prostitute” game, just to spice up her prospects as a young-adult performer.

Other celebrities added that stars have been serially transforming their performing image for a long time now, like Madonna and Cher’s periodic “reincarnations.” But, the difference in Miley’s case is that she’s done it ineptly, merely for shock value’s sake.

Panache

At least, when Madonna periodically reinvents herself, she does so with artistry and panache—not just by stripping and “twerking” all over the place!

Naturally, some of Miley’s celebrity critics’ barbed comments haven’t sat well with her, her fans and her determinedly supportive parents. But, they should realize that the critiques may be pungent, but they’re well-meant—intended not to shame the young star, but to arrest her free-fall into utter notoriety—and premature disrepute!

Her career may temporarily benefit from the attendant controversy, but if she loses more fans than gain new admirers, it could prove self-destructive in the long term.

Sizzling examples

In addition, they should realize that Miley is getting off relatively easily, compared to other stars who, through the years and decades, have been savaged much more cattily and bitchily by their cofelines and bitches in the biz! Some sizzling examples:

Carol Channing: The only time in my life I ever got sick was when I watched Barbra Streisand in “Hello, Dolly!”

Bette Davis on Joan Crawford: She was Hollywood’s first case of galloping syphilis! I wouldn’t sit on her toilet.

Simone Signoret: Brigette Bardot was a sex symbol—period. When she lost her looks, she lost everything. —Including her mind!

Gina Lollobrigida: Sophia Loren plays peasants—I play ladies!

Louise Brooks: Lillian Gish was a sexless, silly antique!

Elsa Lanchester: Maggie Smith is better seen onstage, from a distance. On a movie screen, up close, she makes you want to dive for cover!

Minnie Ripperton: Olivia Newton-John is Australia’s gift to insomniacs—she’s nothing but the blonde singing the bland!

Katharine Hepburn on Sharon Stone: It’s a new low for actresses when you have to wonder what’s between her legs—instead of her ears!

So, Miley is getting off relatively easily? —You bet!