Is It Ego or Insecurity that Guides Miley Cyrus?
posted on September 13, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Have you seen Miley Cyrus’ music video, “Who Owns My Heart?” You can see it below. Recently, one of our readers prompted us to watch it. She wrote, “So sad that [Cyrus] feels that she has to behave that way to sell music!”
The video was released last year and includes scenes with Cyrus on a bed, dancing on a table, grinding with a crowd on a dance floor and flaunting her legs in a limo. The dress of choice is mainly underwear and she sports a sexy disheveled hairstyle.
As I watched this video, I felt both joy and sadness. Joy for the gift she has been given — her voice, her charisma, her opportunity — and sadness for the way she is using it.
1 Peter 4:10 -As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Then, I wondered why young celebrities throw their modesty out the window and present themselves in such suggestive ways for money and fame. I came up with two main reasons: ego and insecurity.
Ego can lead a person to do things in a desperate attempt to remain the center of attention. There was a time when it was all about Miley Cyrus. Well, now everyone is talking about Selena Gomez. After Gomez (whom you may have noticed is slowly undergoing her own transition), there will be a new attraction and then another and another. It will never end. In the meantime, many of those that came before will do everything they can to be in the spotlight for as long as possible, even if it’s done in a shameful way. The ego leads many to destruction.
If it’s Cyrus’ insecurities that guide her, then I’m guessing it’s because of the same reason as her ego. She’s insecure about new talent entering the celebrity scene behind her. The new talent is fresher, and in an attempt to stay in the spotlight, she needs to reinvent herself so the eyes and fans don’t leave her.
It’s such an old school belief that you need to shed clothes and be provocative to remain interesting. I mean, I’m sure she has gained a lot of new fans, but let’s be honest about who the majority of these fans are.
I honestly don’t know the reason why celebrities use their bodies to determine their worth. All I know is that this type of behavior does not glorify God or justify His unconditional love for all of us.
I pray that God opens Cyrus’ eyes to her destructive behavior. I pray for all artists who resort to sexualizing themselves in a desperate attempt to stay popular.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 -What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Do you think Miley Cyrus would be just as successful if she were modest?
Image: gossipberry.com
ALL COMMENTS 117
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This is SUCH a good article Nicole!! Thank you so much!! I very honestly feel pity for Miley and every other person that clings so desperately for a little bit of temporary attention in this life.. they are in for such a rude awakening!!
Just realized I thanked the wrong person lol .. Thank you T.M. Gaouette!!
You’re welcome!
Shoulder….pads…..
I don’t think she’d be successful, because her voice is so dang nasally!
It’s so sad that she’s taken this path! It looks as though she’s doing the same things Lady Gaga has been doing.
I wish she wouldn’t throw away herself; she’s had such an influence on most of us who are now teens, because we used to like her when we were little!
I wouldnt go as far as to say that cuz… Lady Gaga is influenced by Satan… Miley is just being young and stupid. lol
Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. Miley isn’t the least bit Satanic… Just.. Lost. ):
When I was younger before she started doing this and she was Hannah Montana I thought she was cool. But, when she started dressing inappropriately I quit watching her show and started praying she would take the right path.
I saw this Video when it came out. I’m so sad about Miley
I think we all know what REALLY guides her: a lack of God in her life. It’s so sad to see, seeing as how she used to be a good influence, and a Christian. There was no need for all of this, she would still be rich and famous
That’s what I think also. Shame she cannot see that.
I don’t think she’d be as successful if she were modest. Obviously the audience she’s going for is into that kind of music and as she gets older the club scene is probably someplace she frequents so this makes total sense. I think her music is changing not just because she’s insecure but because she’s changing. she’s a lot older than when she was on her disney show; of course she’s going to change.
yes but part of the problem is shes growing up too fast too quickly. when she started things like this, she still had her little Disney fan girls. if she had made the audience change successfully, then maybe it wouldnt be a big deal. but shes trying to mature in all the wrong ways
The best thing I can think of here as far as her old HM fans is this: the 10 yr old girls who were obsessed fans are older, and hopefully wiser, now. They’ve both grown up- Miley and her fans- and can see where she’s gone down a destructive path while they’ve (mostly, I’m sure) moved on and continued to grow and recognize what’s going on.
That is really sad
fame sure brainwashes people, dosen’t it? Another example I thought of is Nick Jonas. Did you see him in Hairspray? A liiiittle suggestive, right? I really like him, and I hope he doesn’t go this direction, too! I guess all we can do is pray hard for them!
Are you sure it was Nick Jonas? I thought it was Zak Efron
yeah, that was zac efron for sure.
Zac was in the movie yes, but just recently Nick did the same part (the lead male) on Broadway. You can find videos on youtube
Great article…I think Miley got too famous too young. I don’t think her image right now is all her fault…she’s been raised to be famous (ie, make money and appeal to the masses) instead of being raised to be a good Christian adult.
Also, I believe you can be famous and not totally immoral…look at Taylor Swift. She’s not a perfect example of modesty or morality, but in a world of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, she’s a pretty decent influence.
Very well said Kate!
Thanks
I agree.
Honestly? With how some people are today, I don’t think that she’d be just as famous. If it was a new person who brought on a whole new perspective to music that just appeared and dressed modestly, maybe. But not now, no. I’m glad that I didn’t get into her when I was younger. I watched her show and sang the theme song around the house all of the time, but I never got obsessed with her. If I had, I honestly think I’d be embarrassed to say that I had been a Miley fan, simply because of the way she acts now. Selena I think is getting a more grown up look but, she’s almost twenty. She’s allowed too. So is Miley but… Not THAT grown up, or in that way. And the way she’s dressing really should only be in front of a husband; specifically her own husband.
Yeah, I totally agree! Okay, so one of my friends listens to California Gurlz by Katy perry, and this song. So, like, even if the music video is bad, it’s still not okay to listen to the song right?
My motto is if the song is clean and uplifting, then go ahead and listen to it!
It is bad that she is doing this but what is worse is that she is a role model for little girls. It wasn’t too long ago I looked up to her. My sister still looks up to her even though I tell her how she is ruining her life. I worry for the girls who look up to celebrities especially girls like Miley. It is no wonder why real girls have little self esteem.
And this is a major point of the article. The little girls that continue to follow these celebrities as they transition into adults become negatively influenced.
She says that’s she’s confertable this way, then again something could’ve happened to her for her to act this way, maybe she’s rebelling or yeah maybe it’s ego nd insecurity, I do feel so bad for her though, she is sexy but there’s other things to sexy than just her body…I also do pray that God will open her eyes, she needs it
Hmm… in my eyes, that video wasn’t that racy. Miley cyrus is much racier than the video. I also think that she is just like “oh wow im so grown up so i get to be sexy! yay!!!” @_@ I find her annoying…
She claims that there is no difference between her Miley character and Hannah Montanah character. But after seeing pictures of her in a magazine wearing the clothes she wore (basically they were the clothes she wore in the video), I feel like she’s not only growing up too fast, but her life is basically her saying to herself “I can slip on a wig and be any character that associates with that wig.” I want to pray for her that she still stays with God, even through the trial of her parents divorcing.
What’s wrong with Selena Gomez?
nothing! she’s sweet.
Selena kind of confuses me…personality wise, she seems sweet and grounded and genuinely wants to be a good influence, but sometimes her outfits/performances are a little too ‘old’ for her to be a good example. Just proves these girls are human like the rest of us, and we need to look Heavenward for out role models
Kate, you’re right. I look up to Selena Gomez, but there are a few mistakes in everyone, but I believe Selena will be able to stay true to herself and realize what’s right and wrong.
***Cough*** I think it’s a mix of both! Never liked Miley anyways….
Can you do an article about P!nk and Avrail Lavigne?
what specifically about them do you want me to write about?
I know this isn’t exactly my question to answer,but P!nk’s music is pretty explicit. I won’t go into detail,but I will highly recommend reading this –
http://www.pluggedin.com/music/albums/2006/pink-imnotdead.aspx Hopefully the link worked. It is to the Focus on the Family music review on her album I’m Not Dead.
I try to write about things that are currently going on, and that album was released in 2006.
but thanks for bringing it to my attention!
She says that she is a Christ-Follower,but I think she is getting of track,but I pray that she grows in her relationship with God.
How sad. I can’t recognize her anymore. I used to love Hannah Montana and I used to really like her. Kind of sad how she has turned into a young woman sporting prerogative clothing and singing such awful songs… :/
Amen.
I nearly cried watching that :’( She used to be better, and, one of my friends says that he knew her, and she was nice, and sweet, before she got so hollywoodized. :’(
The only thing I could think of while watching this video was, “she seems so much like Lindsey Lohan.”
Personally I never watched her because I hated her voice. But inside I was hoping that she would turn out better than the rest of the teenage role models. Guess that didn’t work our well…
Honestly — I think Miley Cyrus, now, is “famous” for the wrong reason. Anytime you hear anyone talking about her, it’s always negatively because of the way she dresses and dances. If Miley did dress modestly I feel like she would be just as successful, but in a positive way. It’s sad to see all of these celebrities turning in the “wrong” direction because they think they need to do this certain thing to stay popular/famous
That’s how I see it too.
what happened to the sweet 13 year old miley that I used 2 look up to when I was 6?
So sad!
In the Bible it says modesty is of the mind. Miley might have a different view of modesty. Its something we have to realize. I’m not sure what verse, but people view it different, It matters what is in the heart. “8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”-Matthew 5:8 Its just a different way of looking at it! I used to dance, and not all dances are clean, or the outfits dancers wear, we just have to pray for people living false testimonies, as Miley! She’ll realize what she’s done for fame and fortune when she gets face to face with God (: but we can’t be quick to judge, if we do, we’re just as bad as her. You have to look at it at a different point of you. “Once with God, always with God.” Simple as that. Don’t be so quick to judge about people living false testimonies, because you’re showing false ways as well. God is the only one to judge, and her day will come. All you can do is love her and pray for her!
“Once with God, always with God” is not a true statement at all. it is so easy to leave God and His will. and if even her non-Christian fans are criticizing the way she dresses, then maybe *hint hint* she is NOT dressing right.
I kind of want to disagree with a small part in this. I believe Selena Gomez is going to stay strong. She is strong in her faith and is true to herself, and I believe she will take that anyday, unlike Miley Cyrus…
Think about it though. God knows what he’s doing in her life, just like he knows the weather. He probably doesn’t approve of what she’s doing, but He holds the power. Miley used to be a faithful little girl who wouldn’t bend to what her fans thought of her, but now she’s leading down a dirt road. I pray they both can find strength in Him to lead them to where He needs them to be. I hope they can find him where ever they go.
She probably would not be, in this fallen world—but it’s about pleasing GOD not being successful anyway!!! Any Christian-sound-alikes?
The song didn’t make any sense in the first place…… So why make it into a music video?????
I felt the same way when I saw this video the first time. In astonishment I showed my two younger sisters, who also shared the same surprise. It’s not a very good thing to be a sex symbol, because life has so much more meaning than just sex this and sex that. God brings beauty, and how we use it is our own, but I think that encouraging young women to use it to show how wonderful and graceful Jesus and the Lord our God makes us to be!
I’m truly grateful that I came across this website, and this blog really answered some questions I had on this teen pop star.
someone just needs too walk up to her & slap her in the face. & be like hold up Miley you’ve forgotten who you are & have gotten too far ahead of yourself here. Her & all the others that feel like they have to make them selfs presentable to men (& young men who are barely teenagers) by wearing barely anything on their skin is down right repulsive.
i heared shes really sorry and claims shes not perfect and i mostly think selenea is more famous is because of she i heard of is going out with justin beiber but i will keep praying for miley
I didn’t like the way Selena said in an interview that she never intends on marrying anyone she dates at her age…in my opinion, dating is for marrige, and if she’s not dating for marrige then that’s a bad message for her fans…
gag… don’t like miley at all….. and people claim that’s she’s christian? call me judgey, im jus saying i DONT like miley cyrus
that video was gross…..end of story.
Yes, I hope you will all join us in praying for these people.
She is really talented and charismatic, and it’s so sad that she turned that way
doesn’t she know that she’s worth more than her body?
Let’s pray that she opens her eyes to this truth.
just looked this song up…apparently, it’s about trying to figure out, when dancing at a nightclub, if you’re falling in love with the guy you’re dancing with or just loving the ‘ambiance’ of the club :/ I find the title ‘Who Owns my Heart’ kinda metaphorical, though- my first thought when I read it was, here’s a sad young girl, trying to figure out if it’s hollywood, God, satan, fame, etc, that’s really got her heart.
Wait what is Selena doing that’s makeing her go through a transition as you mentioned here? So far i haven’t seen any bad things she’s done against Jesus. The only thing wrong she did was get a tattoo, which is a cross on her wrist, making it not that bad. I absolutly love Selena Gomez and reading that paragraph just made me curious.
Selena is transitioning into a young woman. It’s up to her to decide which way she will go. Will she follow Cyrus and sexualize herself? That remains to be seen. Relax:) I said watch her. But be careful in your adoration for her. God should be first in your heart. Selena is human, and like all of us she is not perfect.
Um Nicole…you’re sporting a sexy disheveled hairstyle in the pic that pops up on the right side of the web page. I don’t expect or want you to publish this, but really?
Hair? HELP me understand how hair can be immoral, because I really want to understand.
Nicole’s hair at the top right of the screen? It’s actually amusing that you would make that comparison. I’m sorry, but I cannot help you if you cannot decipher what the state of Cyrus’ hair implies, along with the rest of her ensamble. God bless.
I think another important thing to remember about music is that it is a very powerful tool for both good and evil. And that lucifer (now known as the devil) was the worship leader of heaven.
He now uses this as destructively as he can. just think of how much power music seems to have over everyone you know, even you.
I think it is important to pray that jesus will hold miley’s hand as he once did only just a few short years ago..
I was actually embarrassed to watch this video… But great article, I completely agree!!!(:
Thanks!
The teenage dream….. it is so sad… :/
So disappointing that she used to be famous and little girls liked her…. *sigh*….great article though!
while watching that video, i’ll i was thinking was “LUST” *shutter*, i would totally watch her more often if she was ten million times less sexual and more modest, like taylor swift who writes awesome songs and none of them (or so ive checked out) are not at all nasty like miley’s and look at how famous taylor is?!!
IN agreement, It’s really sad how this is what is going on, for young Woman to look at and think that they have to be like this no way~ Im just shocked on how bad it has gotten. I don’t even watch TV because of what is on it, but when I see something like this that’s going on its actually really disturbing that Young Girls are told to be Sexy and flaunt there bodies in provocative ways to be “Loved” or to get Attention. This is sad, and I really do pray Parents would pay attention to what your teens are looking at and reading, and for those who are fans of these celebrities along with the celebrities.~
I remember when my local malls and department stores were practically wallpapered with Hannah Montana posters. if she was that popular then(fully-clothed, i might add) why cant she do it now?
i really do not like her. i used to when i was 7 and i watched her show. does she really think she looks good in her underwear? seriously. most people would be embarassed if they were seen in just underwear! but obviously, not her! she really needs to come to the lord
I think she would still be famous. But it is sad to see how much she has changed.
I used to watch her show Hannah Montana, & i enjoyed it. But my mom had a talk with me about sum of the things that she was doing, so i would only watch it if there was nothing else to watch. Wat happened to her cute modest style? I believe it’s both ego & insecurity. =/
where are her parents through all this?
Why do we say this as in judging. God says don’t judge one another, and here we go. Just saying, who said this was her idea of the video? How do you know it wasn’t her agents???
A celebrity like Miley Cyrus can do what she wants and refuse what she thinks is wrong. It’s all part of staying strong in Hollywood.