April 28, 2008

Headlines Erupt Over "Miley's Shame"

Harry Smith: Tween Queen Cyrus Should Know That Mini-Scandals Are Good For Business

  • Play CBS Video Video Hannah Montana In Hot Water

    Miley Cyrus, the 15-year-old singer-actress, is apologizing to her fans and corporate parent Disney after a sexy photo shoot in Vanity Fair. Harry Smith talks to People magazine's Julie Dam.

  • Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and his daughter Miley Cyrus, right, co-host the 2008 CMT Awards on April 14, 2008.

    Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and his daughter Miley Cyrus, right, co-host the 2008 CMT Awards on April 14, 2008.  (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen)


(CBS)  This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.

The headline on the front page of the New York Post screams “Miley’s Shame".

The front page of the Times business section says a topless photo threatens a major Disney franchise. They are referring to Miley Cyrus, a.k.a. Hannah Montana. Cyrus’ wholesome television show is second only to American Idol in teen viewers. She herself is an idol for millions of tween girls. Her concert tours are so successful, state legislatures have tried to write laws to prevent scalpers from gobbling up all the tickets. I’m not kidding.

So sweet Miley agrees to do a photo shoot with Vanity Fair and Annie Leibovitz. Leibovitz wraps Miley's torso in a sheet, hardly more revealing than most swimsuits, and headlines erupt.

Tawdry. Exploitive. Miley told People Magazine she was sorry. Sorry for what? If anything, it only further raises her impossibly high profile. And what the 15-year-old probably already knows is, it was good for business.


Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.


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by whatisit21 May 1, 2008 4:31 AM EDT
the photo people should be charged with child *** abuse and sent to prison.
Reply to this comment
by gce65 April 30, 2008 5:42 AM EDT
What, did someone force her to do these photos? I don''t think so! Either be a teeny-bopper for Disney or be a grown up, not both at the same time!
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