Miley Cyrus can't catch a break. Granted, she's one of the most idolized icons of the generation, but everyone has their problems. With superstardom comes scrutiny. Cyrus has long attempted to shake her Disney image with faltering success. Her new music, wardrobe and videos proves that she's shed her Hannah Montana skin, but her fans and critics aren't as willing to let go of her past. Instead of embracing the lifestyle and persona she's so avidly pursuing, her adversaries continue to bash her. They don't want her to change. Every recent decision she makes is the wrong choice. She remains diligent, however. She casts their negativity aside with a 'who cares' attitude, stating that she is who she is. But her cries remain stunted.
In response to Cyrus's recent affirmations that she does refer to using MDMA and other 'bathroom' drugs in her most recent single, "We Can't Stop," Miley critics have had a field day. She has the choice to be who she wants to be, yet it's important to remember that her pure and innocent Hannah Montana days have established an impressive fanbase of teens and preteens.
"What's fascinating about it is she's thrown that Disney character totally under the bus," said Rob Shuter of Naughty But Nice Rob. "Most celebrities as they pass through life, they seem to try to keep their fanbase with them. You would think that's a good idea after having such an enormous fanbase, keep them growing with you as you continue to develop as an artist."
Therapist Kaity Rodriguez agrees, but also cuts Cyrus some slack. "I think that any celebrity that is popular and people know them automatically have the responsibility of being a role model whether they want to or not," Rodriguez said according to Fox News. "However that being said, Miley, she's 20 years old. She's young."
Cyrus could simply be rebelling against her critics and badgering negativity, but she is idolized and has an effect on young teens' lives, whether she likes it or not as Rodriguez points out. Unfortunately for Cyrus, if it hadn't been for her former days as a young pop star and Disney actress, no one would care about her lewd antics. She'd just be another modern day pop singer. But that's not the case.
Despite the criticisms, however, Cyrus continues to take a page from her own book and simply won't stop, but not all is juvenile and delinquent. In a recent collaboration with Marc Jacobs' Protect The Skin You're In campaign, she's featured completely naked, using her hands to cover up her private parts, on a new line of t-shirts. While critics may claim once again that she's crossed the line, this time she's doing it for a good cause and raising money for the New York University Skin Cancer Institute. Check out the t-shirts here.
No matter what Cyrus does, it's clear that she won't take the heckling lying down. Instead of directly addressing the issue, she'll just do what she wants to do. It's who she is. Hannah Montana is gone. Miley Cyrus is here to stay.