Like many of you, I watched Miley Cyrus perform at the 2010 Much Music Video Awards this past Sunday in Toronto.
Yes Miley, we get it. You’re itching to shrug off that Disney suit that’s been doggin’ you like a mohair sweater. Look at you! You’re a big girl now, stepping out from under your G rated baby blanket. But the fact is, and a sad fact at that, this is nothing new, my dear Miley. Just ask Britney or Lindsay for that matter. If you know what’s good for you my dear Achy Breaky Offspring, you’ll keep yourself publicly sober and resist the urge to cut your hair G.I. Jane style. You follow those simple rules, and you can still set yourself apart from all those fallen teen dreams who came before you. You know what they say: The road to the land of ‘Has Been’ is paved with bad press. What? They don’t say that? Well, they should.
Lately, Miley seems to have already muddied her thigh high boots in the pile of muck that is the celebrity machine. Recently, she’s been at the root of a much hyped tangle with the Mayor of Ugly Gossip Town – Perez Hilton. I won’t go into the sordid details but if you’re ever stepping out of a fancy car in a fancy dress: Head first ladies! Head first!
Despite that negative attention, and the guarantee that there will be more, there’s a pattern here that can’t be ignored. Miley Cyrus is 17 years old. Have we really reached an age where young girls can openly embrace their sexuality and nobody bats a fake eyelash?
Since When Did Teen Idol Become Synonymous With Sex Pot?
With that question in mind, I did a little digging into the archives of the teen idols of days gone by. Is it possible to go from teen star to bona fide hit maker while keeping your teenage sexuality under wraps? You bet.
Have a look at the child stars who gracefully segued from popcorn and bubble gum Disneyesque sensations to the real deal. How did they do it? Less is most definitely more.
From Broadway, to television, to movies and now: icon. Sarah Jessica Parker is the poster child for child star makes good.
Cute as a button as Olivia on the Cosby Show, it’s hard to believe Raven Symone is now a quarter of a century old. Yet, she’s maintained a steady career and a solid reputation. She continues to be a role model for a host of generations.
Jodi Foster has literally been in the spotlight since before she could talk yet has consistently showed an unparalleled amount of grace, maturity and of course, talent.
Okay, Leonardo Di Caprio doesn’t quite fall into the teenage girl category but he is a child star, he is now a huge megastar and…I just like to look at him all grown up.
Enough said.
