So for those living under a rock, last night was the 2013 VMA Awards, and evidently Miley Cyrus put on a “shocking show” with her single “We Can’t Stop” and then on stage performance with Robin Thicke and “Blurred Lines”.
If you have listened to either one of the songs (and paid attention to the lyrics) you realize both of them are about being on the dance floor, dancing your booty off, and then taking someone home for the night.
With that being said, because of the lyrics, no one should have been surprised that the performance was going to be less than “PG-13” rated.
But evidently, everyone was SURPRISED, because it was all over my social network feeds this morning.
Some of the comments were tame (didn’t really care for her performance), some rude (f-ing skank, needs to go to rehab), and some were political (how come no one is bashing Robin for being twerked?).
All I could think…What the hell? Have you all not watched the VMAs before? Every year there is something SHOCKING! This is what they do, what they are, why they do it – to have at least one or two shocking moments during the presentation.
For those that are as old as me…here’s a little trip down memory lane.
1984 : Madonna, “Like A Virgin” – Rolling around on the floor in a wedding gown.
1992: Howard Stern as Fartman
1994: Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley Kiss
1999: Lil Kim – Missing half her outfit and wearing a pastie over one boob. (And then in 2009, Pink did the same thing.)
2001: Brittany Spears, “Slave For You” – Running around stage barely dressed with a LARGE Python Snake. (Snake was a euphemism for something else.)
2003: Brittany Spears and Madonna – French Kissing after Madonna’s song.
2009: Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi” – Ending the song, by smothering herself in blood and wearing a meat dress.
2013: Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke, “We Can’t Stop” and “Blurred Lines” – Get their freak on and moms around the world finally understanding what “Twerking” means.
And before I get any further, if anyone comments that these entertainers should be an example for young people, check it at the door. If you are letting your kids watch the VMAs in the first place, you know what you are getting yourself into.
So, if we can put aside the idea that the VMAs were doing what they always do, shock us, let’s have a discussion about Miley.
She’s 20 years old. She is YOUNG. Like insanely young.
And she has spent her entire life in the limelight.
And my thought to that…
So what!
Why? Because when we are 20 we think we know everything. We are indestructible. Throw in a dose of the fact she’s probably surrounded herself with a ton of “yes people” and it is a recipe for disaster.
But bottom line, she’s 20. It’s what most of us do when we are in our 20s…make really dumb decisions. And those decisions, more often than not, have nothing to do with how well our parents raised us. It’s what is referred to as a learning experience. I just hope (and pray) she is strong enough to realize it was a dumb decision, dust herself off and move on to the next thing.
And while we are talking about stupid decisions…does anyone remember the 2004 Super Bowl and “Boob Gate” with Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson? Considering that so many are putting JT on a pedestal for his performance and class at last night’s VMAs…you only need to look back a few years ago as he exposed Janet’s boob, at the Super Bowl, in front of gazillion more people than watch the VMAs. And he was 23.
Here is the deal, I thank GOD ALMIGHTY there was not YouTube and Facebook and Camera Phones when I was in my 20s. I can’t imagine having my missteps plastered for the world to see. It was bad enough seeing my friends the next day after a particularly bad night (and they loved me), imagine a bunch of complete strangers being able to comment on my life in real time via social media.
So instead of bashing her or calling her names, let’s say a little prayer for her, and try to lift her up, as the first generation is suppose to do with the next one.
Here is the deal, I thank GOD ALMIGHTY there was not YouTube and Facebook and Camera Phones when I was in my 20s.
Can’t disagree with that at all, Kelly.
OMG, Ann, can you imagine? I’m sure I would have been called every name in the book. And it wouldn’t have hurt any less.
Amen. Thank goodness my ‘learning experiences’ in my 20’s were not on national tele. We can ALL be thankful for that [wipes brow]. And I totally had to Google ‘twerking’.
{snicker} Me too, Ann-Marie.
See, and I’m afraid to Google it.
So did I. But now we are informed, right?
I was a little upset that so many didn’t have a problem calling her such awful names. I am of the belief that if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything. I am old enough to remember everything on your list. This is not new. I think people would have been disappointed if nothing had happened. Also I am so very thankful that phone cameras, you tube and social media did not exist in my youth!!
Melissa – I agree with you 100%. It bothered me that people were so easily calling her names. I keep thinking how it felt to have my little hometown in Nebraska know everything I did after a “good” Friday night and gossip about it all week. I can’t imagine it on this scale.
You took the words straight out of my mouth. I had a post 1/2 written and then deleted it because those who have spilled hate and vitriol all morning aren’t even going to get the point.
She’s an entertainer. She did her job well. Extra well since so many are STILL talking about it.
And I have to ask those who say “but she should be a role model” to please look to themselves to be that role model – not a young girl with no kids herself.
I stopped and started twice, Jill. When someone was discussing about how “JT should have showed her what class really looks like with clothes”, I couldn’t stop. We are so easy to forget the past.
YES THIS! Thanks.
You are welcome.
That’s exactly what I thought this morning. I’m pretty sure I had an overtly sexual phase (oh dear lord, I DID buy that crystal bra thing from Express AND I wore it to a club!) that (hollah!) was not put on facebook, youtube or cable television. On the other hand, I can just see Miley years from now, on a couch (with these old photos enlarged to monster size behind her) defending herself (if she has the guts) or apologizing (if she’s a total schmoe and in PR mode.) Mostly, DO MUSIC VIDEOS STILL EXIST?!
Also, after all that, I really just want to know what Robin Thicke’s wife is like. I mean, seriously.
And can we pause from all the twerking and take a moment to talk about Lady Gaga? I almost died laughing when she didn’t have that blonde wig on straight, lol! Her show was like a low-budget film. Which is too bad, because even though I would never wear what she wore (or do anything she ever did, except maybe sing in the shower,) I still respected her for her ability to grab your attention (with something other than twerking.)
WHERE are the music videos? Seriously, is there an unknown channel I’m not aware of??
And I’m a huge GAGA fan. I love that she pushes you, your thoughts, your beliefs. I’ve attended her concerts and watched her being birthed out of balloon looking womb and then crying like a baby when she talks about being an inspiration for all the misfits out there.
First of all, THaNKs for not including a gyrating screen shot. Much appreciated.
I used the terms skanky acts and skankiness but didnt directly call anyone a skank! 🙂
Where are these so called music videos you speak of anyway? I was unaware they still created them!
Briana – I didn’t care for the performance. I think all of us have the right to rate her performance, but when we started to rate the human being, that’s when the ugliness starts occurring.