Unit 4 Coursework Blog: January 2014

How has the introduction of the internet impacted upon the representation of women in the music industry in texts such as Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’?

Over the last few decades the music industry has been significantly altering through history. The ways female celebrities have been portrayed are confronted through “sexuality”[1]. Due to the emerging of the latest technologies in the 21^st century as “52million Americans went online each day”[2] this has led to influence and have a lasting impact on modern celebrities today both positively and negatively upon the representation of women in the music industry in texts including; e-media, print and broadcast. It will be heavily focussing on the pop sensation Miley Cyrus and her music video ‘wrecking ball’.

^‘That little Miley Cyrus.. she’s like a little Elvis. But what people don’t realize about her is she is such a fantastic singer and songwriter.’[3] This is one aspect how Miley is being expressed from author of the book Kimberly; however many people would disagree with this statement including Miley’s new apprehensive signature look, her ‘twerk’. She first began her career in the hit Disney show ‘Hannah Montana’ at a young age she had made a movie on the show and had hit albums which her fan base (children) loved. However, the show ended and Miley was grew older coming in more films and creating new music. Despite the fame it wasn’t as successful which influenced Miley Cyrus to change in to a particular controversial extraordinary sexual public image. Such as one of her very latest explicit songs: Wrecking Ball which became the “number one hit on the U.S billboard”[4]. ^“The singer and philanthropist, 73 expressed concern for Cyrus’s headline grabbing antics, saying he “just hope she grows out of it”[5]. He’s not the only one who’s disappointed girls are being force-fed the notion that “being hot” is all that they should aspire to[6]. A survey this month by parenting website Netmums showed strong parental disapproval over sexualised content in many music videos. “Sexually explicit music videos ‘should have ratings system’”[7] This evidently connotes how distraughting her videos are but the question is, is this the only option to seek fame. As Kimberly did state she’s a ‘fantastic singer and songwriter’.

As web.20 has become very popular amongst billions of people worldwide it lays a huge impact between common people. For instance, Twitter came after facebook and has been highly successful amongst professionals, politics and celebrities. This is one of the ways in which celebrities promote upcoming events concerts such as Miley Cyrus’s tweet about her latest music video adore you.#AdoreYou premieres Thursday, Dec. 26 at 7a PT/10a ET, on VEVO! Pic.twitter.com/EdBltyoPx6[8]. As 190 million people use twitter daily, this is a positive aspect in which Miley can use as it prepares her fans and it comes directly from her. This excites the fans more to purchase the tickets, leading to a sold out tour as she does have “16, 461,917 followers on twitter”[9].

However, there are downsides to having twitter for famous celebrities like Miley, as people will be able to view her how she is representing her individuality on twitter whatever she tweets will be judged and determined by the public watching her closely. Miley has already had issues for an example; she had a row which escalated all around twitter with Sinead O’Connor. Miley mocked her mental health problems, O’Conner responded saying Miley has been “irresponsible for her behaviour”[10]. This indicates how whatever she tweets life will never be the same; it will determine her reputation in society and life showing her true colours.

As this century is becoming more sexualised day by day, the images of women are becoming ever more powerful.^”Scholars have examined the sexualisation of women as part of a broader cultural ‘backlash’ against the gains of second-wave feminism and women’s increasing power in society”[11]. They link this to the rolling stones magazine covers which are very sexually appealing and cover only celebrities; this includes female artists such as Miley, Rhianna and Megan fox. Where they are show a saucier and more appealing side to them, so that people buy the magazine and it would automatically gain their attention. This reveals that women are prior to revealing themselves only because they know that is what the public like. The book further states ¹¹”We find evidence that sexualized images may be part of a backlash against women’s gains since, as women musicians’ popularity increased; they were increasingly sexualised and under-represented on the cover of rolling stone”. As women are being portrayed as sexually appealing “images of women used by the media present women as sex objects to be consumed by what Mulvey calls the male gaze”[12]. Women therefore instantly have the male fan base they’re initially seeking for through there explicit shots.

When it comes to feminist Miley she thinks she’s the biggest feminist because women at times are afraid and can get weak due to relationships, health problems and money. It can break them and affect them in the long-term. ”I don’t actually walk around all day twerking with my tongue out dressed as a teddy bear.”[13] She said she doesn’t worry if people think badly of her controversial performances because she knows she is a good person. This clearly shows a different side to her that what she commercially shows on TV isn’t the person she is. She is an influencing woman strongly as she is showing you should be who you are and not become dominated by another human being. Even though people judge her through how she is presenting herself in a number of explicit acts, Miley isn’t concerned or tensed on how she is viewed by her performances. As she believes she is creating a type of ‘art’ and delivering this type of message to all her fans. Celebrities “feel the need to strip down to their underwear and stimulate sex acts on stage”[14] but is this the only way to show maturity. Miley has also gone to another big stem and ”She smoked marijuana on stage”[15]. But this isn’t part of an act or ‘art’ this is the real Miley, who wants to follow the ghastly crowd.

The mass media has reinforced a supreme image that girls are to attain. They therefore place an awful amount of emphasis on to good looks than on good works. “By the age of 13 53% of American girls are unhappy with their bodies; by the age of seventeen, 78% are dissatisfied”[16]. This clearly shows how artists have a big impact on teenagers by explicitly revealing themselves in a sexual manner, leaving women to have considerably high expectations on how they are supposed to physically look resulting in beauty and diet. Especially when women start to physically work whilst they’re married they are particularly judged evidently “when women struggle or fail, their actions are seen to constitute ‘proof’ that for women the ‘work life balance’ is really an impossible one”[17].

As Miley Cyrus has matured in to her performance she is showing this through her videos. Two of her hit smash hits ‘We can’t be tamed’ and ‘We can’t stop’ have show cased her in a different light with wild partying. The style of the video is narrative/abstract, as shown through the video Miley is symbolising destruction which is the action or the process of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired, which is a metaphor for her emotional distress. She is visualised here as one of the “out of control’ female celebrities”[18].

In wrecking ball “already broken the VEVO record for most views in 24hours”[19], with Miley being nude in the video she’s responded saying “I think the video is much more if people get past the point that I’m naked, If you actually look at me you can tell that I actually look more broken than even the song sounds. The song is like the pop ballad that is one of those songs everyone is going to relate to, everyone’s felt that feeling at some point”[20]. The use of colour is very evident and useful as the use of white is becoming a norm and identity of Miley’s, as it was shown in ‘Wrecking ball’, in clothing and setting, which is representing her knew beginning as a different person from being Disney’s Hannah Montana. In Wrecking Ball the close ups on her face are very intense and emotional, and this allows us to see the pain she is trying to get through in the video, this is vital and shown as an importance when she is especially naked, as we can Identify that it is meant to be a statement about vulnerability, rather than sexuality.

In the past that is in the early 60’s, women had started emerging from social roles. They stopped trying to fit into the stereotypical housewife/motherole, and started to embrace their sexuality, as well as demanding equal rights in working outside the home and contributing to society, with controlling their finances and body. Since music videos didn’t really start to exist until MTV came out in the 1980’s, sexualisation in songs was, wrapped up in the lyrics which millions enjoyed listening to in the 1960’s. Such as “the cougars: Saturday night at the duckpond As majority of the fans were enjoying these types of songs, there was an opportunity for females to become successfully known by sexually appealing themselves to their fans.[21] This has been a norm since 3 decades as; “For more than 3 decades there has been an imperative to look beautiful and be willing to emphasize sexuality in order to sell their music.”[22] Also in the 60’s “use of birth control pills”[23] were available for women to use, from this day onwards there was no fair of pregnancy.

In the 60’s Joni Mitchell was a singer who was trapped of the dilemma in wanting a man but at the same time she needed to be free. She knew how to sign about it and demonstrated that she was capable of earning a living through selling her ‘creativity’. She was the woman who represented how all women were like at that time trying to come to terms with her identify. In the 70’s there was a pattern were it was evident women stayed at home and looked after the children whilst men were working to generate ‘political structure’. Due to living in the modern century no more than 5 women have been appointed heads of any UK based record companies. Women in the music industry get frustrated of working in a record label company where it’s dominated by males. “To be a successful mainstream artist it’s normal to have to compromise but women have always had to do it to a far greater extent.”[24] Therefore as the internet and technology are pacing up younger stars are finding it important and necessary to sell sex above music which is stronger than ever. Because in a sense, this is what the mass media love and the audience. Spice girls were also very famous in the early 90’s who demonstrated and sang female solidarity, “demanded the ability to control their relationships, and voiced their sexual desires”[25]. As it became common in the mainstream women were becoming less afraid.

Due to the economic crisis and recession it’s more so difficult for people to spend their money optionally. Which limits access to economic power which has made it hard for women to function in the music sphere are musicians, band leaders. Men are the ones who determine what happens in the music industry because they finance the music projects; therefore it makes it difficult for women to come in the music industry. Thankfully for the internet it has impacted singers effectively such as: Lily Allen and Kate Nash. Thus, “body is the ultimate expression of the self”[26]. In order for them to become a success and attain a fan base, it is a norm to represent them in a sexually appetising way.

Due to the controversial behaviour Sir Cliff personally refused to blame Miley for her behaviour “The music industry has changed drastically and that damages young artists”[27]. As it is dangerous it influences and leads other similar artists to conduct the similar act. A decade ago females had to do what they’re told such as, if they’re taking a photo shoot they’d had to be told take your top off now. But now it’s up to them with what they want to do with their life, and what route they want to go through.

In conclusion, Miley hadn’t had a record set until 2 years which led to a lot of pressure held upon her with high expectations. She’s had a very close relationship with her fans through one of the most famous social networking sites ‘Twitter’ were she uses #wrecking ball and starts a countdown to excite her fans. As the internet has impacted “deployment of new media including haptic technologies that promulgate fantasies or enhanced intimacy with fans”[28]

Through her album and videos she’s worked realistically hard, her songs are much deeper as she moved to Philadelphia which was useful as she wasn’t known for Miley and was living a normal life for some time. Miley has always had instincts, she wants people to make the change with her she has freedom and can do whatever she wants because people trust her. Miley has been unfairly criticised in the media, Pharrell Miley’s music producer said “I’m not worried about Miley. I’ve seen her soul in action. I know her voice is crazy. I keep saying it to everybody. You gotta remember, she’s 21 years old and enjoying her life”[29]. People say she is a by product of American as essentially she is 100% American, and with the voice she has people should see the art and talent she upholds and she is still a very young person who wants to be silly and enjoy the little things in life. Like Pharrell adds “She’s enjoying her freedom”[30]

[1] <http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/hzi9

[2] <http://abs.sagepub.com/content/45/3/383

[3] ³Summers, Kimberly Dillon. Miley Cyrus: a biography. Santa Barbara, Calif..: Greenwood Press, 2009. Print.

[4] http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5695590/miley-cyrus-wrecking-ball-swings-to-top-of-hot-100.

[5] http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/nov/13/cliff-richard-miley-cyrus.

[6] McVeigh, Tracy, and Tess Reidy. "Sexually explicit music videos 'should have ratings system'." The Observer. Guardian News and Media, 10 Nov. 2013. Web. 2 Jan. 2014.

[7] http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/10/videos-miley-cyrus-rihanna-ratings.

[8] https://twitter.com/mileycyrus.

[9] https://twitter.com/mileycyrus.

[10] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24395755.

[11] vans, Mary, Gender, Abingdon: Routledge, 2011. Print.

[12] http://revisionworld.co.uk/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/mass-media-0/media-representations-age-social-class-ethnicity-gender-sexuality-and-disability.

[13] "Feminism." BBC News. BBC, 11 Dec. 2013. Web. 2 Jan. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/2491161

[14] http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/27/miley-cyrus-twerking-cultural-appropriation.

[15] "Feminism." BBC News. BBC, 11 Dec. 2013. Web. 2 Jan. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/2491161

[16] http://depts.washington.edu/thmedia/view.cgi?section=bodyimage&page=fastfacts.

[17] Holmes, Su., and Diane Negra. In the limelight and under the microscope: forms and functions of female celebrity. New York: Continuum, 2011. Print, pge#2.

[18] Holmes, Su., and Diane Negra. In the limelight and under the microscope: forms and functions of female celebrity. New York: Continuum, 2011. Print, pge#3

[19] http://uk.eonline.com/news/457670/miley-cyrus-says-wrecking-ball-video-is-about-much-more-than-her-naked-body.

[20] http://abcnews.go.com/m/blogEntry?id=20228784&sid=75&cid=75.

[21] Lieb, Kristin. Gender, branding, and the modern music industry: the social construction of female popular music stars. New York: Routledge, 2013. Print.

[22] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oon4yY0sweA.

[23] "Magazine | Music | london." Don't Panic UK. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2014. http://www.dontpaniconline.com/magazine/feminism/sexism-in-the-music-industry.

[24] Hooks, Bell. Feminism is for everybody: passionate politics. London: Pluto Press, 2000. Print.

[25] Zaslow, Emilie. Feminism, Inc.: coming of age in girl power media culture. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009. Print.

[26] Skinner, Yvonne. Yvonne ("Eve") (Blue) Skinner papers. Cambridge, MA: Arthur and Elisabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women, Radcliffe College, 1999. Print.

[27] http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/nov/13/cliff-richard-miley-cyrus.

[28] Holmes, Su., and Diane Negra. In the limelight and under the microscope: forms and functions of female celebrity. New York: Continuum, 2011. Print, pge#5

[29] http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/134629/Shes-Expressing-Her-Freedom-Pharrell-Williams-Isnt-Worried-About-Miley-Cyrus.

[30] http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/134629/Shes-Expressing-Her-Freedom-Pharrell-Williams-Isnt-Worried-About-Miley-Cyrus.

Words- 2,609

Books

Evans, Mary, Gender, Abingdon: Routledge, 2011. Print.

Hooks, Bell. Feminism is for everybody: passionate politics. London: Pluto Press, 2000. Print.

Holmes, Su., and Diane Negra. In the limelight and under the microscope: forms and functions of female celebrity. New York: Continuum, 2011. Print, pge#2.

McVeigh, Tracy, and Tess Reidy. "Sexually explicit music videos 'should have ratings system'." The Observer. Guardian News and Media, 10 Nov. 2013. Web. 2 Jan. 2014.

Lieb, Kristin. Gender, branding, and the modern music industry: the social construction of female popular music stars. New York: Routledge, 2013. Print.

Summers, Kimberly Dillon. Miley Cyrus: a biography. Santa Barbara, Calif..: Greenwood Press, 2009. Print.

Skinner, Yvonne. Yvonne ("Eve") (Blue) Skinner papers. Cambridge, MA: Arthur and Elisabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women, Radcliffe College, 1999. Print.

Zaslow, Emilie. Feminism, Inc.: coming of age in girl power media culture. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009. Print.

Internet

Cyrus, Miley Ray. "Miley Ray Cyrus."twitter. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2014. <https://twitter.com/mileycyrus>.

"Days and Nights on the Internet." Days and Nights on the Internet. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2014. <http://abs.sagepub.com/content/45/3/383

"Feminism." BBC News. BBC, 11 Dec. 2013. Web. 2 Jan. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/2491161

Miley Cyrus' 'Wrecking Ball' Swings Atop Hot 100." Billboard. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014.

<http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5695590/miley-cyrus-wrecking-ball-swings-to-top-of-hot-100>.

"Miley Cyrus Says "Wrecking Ball" Video Is About "Much More" Than Her Naked Body." E! Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2014. <http://uk.eonline.com/news/457670/miley-cyrus-says-wrecking-ball-video-is-about-much-more-than-her-naked-body>.

"miley." ray cyrs. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2014. <https://twitter.com/mileycyrus>.