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Miley's World: Where Every Day Is Halloween?


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Once again, Miley Cyrus is being criticized for some magazine photos. Last time, many of you posted on our You Said It pages, shocked and upset about what she WASN'T wearing when she posed behind a bed sheet for Vanity Fair. This time it's what she IS wearing in Elle -- clothes that are rather, shall we say, mature -- that's got everyone chattering. 

We not going to offer any opinions as to whether she should have or shouldn't have, but here's what we think makes this whole issue an interesting one to think and talk about: Miley Cyrus isn't your average 16-year old. She's a mega-famous TV actress and pop star. Yes, the really tall black boots and the really tight top would be out of place and inappropriate in school, or in the neighborhood, or even on an episode of "Hannah Montana." But Miley didn't put those clothes on for these things; she put them on for a high fashion photo shoot. 

You could look at it this way: many young people participate in stage productions or cheerleading, and wear uniforms and costumes that wouldn't be right to wear in class or out at a fast-food place with friends. You might play the role of Sandy in your school's production of "Grease," and wear tight pants and a leather jacket, or wear a shorter-than normal skirt when cheering for your school's basketball team. Or how about Halloween?  There's a good chance that you and your friends wear some wild and weird stuff to go to a party or out trick-or-treating. Well, for someone like Miley, who lives her life in the spotlight, many days are more like a school play, or even Halloween, than most people can imagine. Sure, she gets to be a regular girl sometimes, and that's when she probably dresses just like everybody else her age. But most of the time, Miley is actually "on stage "and "in costume," performing her role as a famous pop star. This means she's under tons of pressure from directors, producers, publicists, photographers, and the like to do what they think is best for her career.

If you're confused about all the talk about Miley, or just have really strong opinions about it, this might be an interesting conversation with a friend or parent: Why do you think Miley posed in these very "grown-up" clothes? What would you do in her place, considering all the crazy details of her life? If you knew you were considered a role model to young people, how would that affect your decisions? Tell us what you think!