Kincaid, James. "Hannah Montana's bare, unprotected back: Miley Cyrus's Vanity Fair outing." Velvet Light Trap 65 (2010): 5+. Academic OneFile. Web. 30 Mar. 2015.
This source discusses Miley Cyrus and her appearance in a June 2008 issue of the magazine Vanity Fair. In this issue of the magazine she is shown as a centerfold, the center of a magazine where the two pages meet, typically (and in Miley’s case) nude or semi-nude photographs. The author, James Kincaid talks about how Miley is yet another child star that had been turned into a centerfold. At the time of the magazine, Miley Cyrus is 15 years old. The photos of her, as told by this particular article, are much too mature for someone of her age. Her hair is a mess, as well as her make-up, and her overall appearance is a sexy, sultry look (Kincaid 1).
The author of this article makes a statement when he writes, “Children are commonly imaged as empty slates on which we can draw our desires, figure our longings: empty faces, open hearts, eager glances” (Kincaid, 1). He metaphorically compares children to a blank slate - one that is then shaped and constructed by society and the influences around them. The author then goes on to say Miley’s bare back IS the empty slate in the pictures for vanity fair. It is a metaphor that helps us imagine the contorsion she as a child star has had to deal with.
The bottom line of this source is the argument between two sides discussing how the (still young) star Miley Cyrus is portrayed in her newly released photos, and how it is impacting her image. There are two sides to the story: one side says leave her alone, she is just fine the way she is. This half of the public insists she should be left alone to live her life as she pleases. The other half of the public, the other side of the argument, is appalled by the photos because of the possibilities they hold. The author states, “The possibility exists--you care, right?--that she is topless, maybe bottomless, maybe even shoeless--who can know for sure?” (Kincaid, 1).
This source is definitely one I will use in my research paper. It is useful and will tie into another source I have found that talks about Miley and how her image was controlled a bit by Disney when she was still involved in Hannah Montana as a young star. It is a slightly biased article, only because the author makes a point of the side that he is on: “I side with the second group, I guess, though I can't but wonder why so much attention is being paid” (Kincaid 1). Although he does state his opinion, it is not too overpowering where it may sway the opinion of the reader. It has not changed my opinion/view on the topic, but it has helped me to see both sides, how they differ, and the perspectives of both sides.
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