Lydia Baylis wrote the following column about Miley Cyrus, and the sexualisation of females in pop music. See what she had to say below.
It has been almost impossible to ignore in recent months the controversy courted by the once tween poster girl, now all grown up bad girl, Miley Cyrus.
From twerking at the VMA’s along to the seedy ‘Blurred Lines’, to music video antics with a sledge hammer Miley has certainly got our attention. Which is exactly what she wanted.
Like many pop starlets before her - she cites Madonna as a direct inspiration - Miley is using the shock factor rather than the X factor to make herself heard. What the ethos of her #mileythemovement is, is not entirely clear to me, but it is certainly getting people moving. The most notable reaction a motherly offering from Sinead O’Connor. Her open letter warned Miley of allowing herself to be exploited, and the pitfalls of relying on your body to sell music rather then your talent.
It remains an undeniable fact that sex sells and that the world
of Pop has become increasingly sexualized. Music videos but also the contents of pop lyrics and stage shows are increasingly verging on pornographic. Everyone from Rihanna to J Lo have caused a stir in recent press for sexing up their act, and sometimes taking it too far. However, it also is a fact that several of the highest selling female artists of the last 3 years - Adele, Emeli Sande, Kelly Clarkson - keep their clothes firmly on.
There is, it seems, an appetite for both in the market place. Critically, we can choose. We can have Adele, or Miley Cyrus, or Sinead on our ipods. We can have all three on the same playlist. You can choose to watch Miley’s video or google her pink thong pictures – or decide you would rather not.
The primary concern remains for the pre teen, Hannah Montana fans that are being dragged in to a more grown up, erotic world with Ms, Cyrus. How her enacting sex acts on sledgehammers, and writhing naked on wrecking balls will make them feel about how to succeed as a women and express their sexuality is a rather alarming thought. But let's hope that the influence of other role models in their lives show them that there are many roads to Rome, and the choice of how to get there is theirs.
Lydia's single 'Life Without You' is released November 11.
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