These days, there is only one person that comes to mind when the words "female recording superstar" are uttered. Miley Cyrus, better known in the entertainment industry as Hannah Montana, is a worldwide superstar at the very tender age of fifteen. Following the winning Britney Spears formula of starring on a Disney television show and then branching out as a recording artist, Cyrus (yes, the daughter of Billie "Achy Breaky Heart" Cyrus) has gone multi platinum, starred in a monstrous television program, and become the face for pop music and an entire line of merchandise at the time of her life where most girls her age are just trying to get through the trials of high school. There are a lot of questions that can be asked in order to analyze the Miley Cyrus formula, much like the ones that apply to U2 in "Understanding the Media."What kinds of demographic factors such as age, class or ethnicity shape Miley Cyrus's fan base?
I think it's safe to say that there is a very specific demographic which makes up the bulk of Miley Cyrus fans. Having worked at a daycare for the past few years and having seen countless Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus shirts, I can safely say that her demographic is rather young, mainly between the ages of 7 and 15, although she is quickly becoming a "guilty pleasure" for many older fans with her songs beginning to reach worldwide radio airwaves. It is also safe to say that the predominance of Cyrus's fan base is female, although with risque photos and tabloid fodder continuing to act as publicity for Cyrus, it is hard to deny that she is accruing more and more male fans, whether or not it is for the most appropriate reasons or not. Ethnically and socioeconomically, I believe that Cyrus's music and persona appeals to a predominantly white audience; especially an audience that is a part of a more middle class upbringing. Her show takes place on cable television (Disney) and is therefore accessible to most people, yet her CD's, t-shirts, lunchboxes, books, and video games have turned her into a marketing bonanza, one that drives her appeal to more fans with the money to take part in the entire Miley merchandise craze.
Do an analysis on Miley Cyrus's records and videos to examine their content in terms of dominant themes and representations.
Miley Cyrus (or Hannah Montana, whatever you want to refer to her as these days) is not breaking any new ground in terms of conceptual and visual themes in her videos and in her music. Cyrus is merely following a working formula; she is a young, attractive teenager that is marketable to a specific demographic. Like the Britney Spears and Christina Aguileras of the late nineties, Cyrus is only able to represent and depict so many dominant themes in her music and videos at the age of fifteen. Her television show, Hannah Montana, tells the story of a young girl in high school who is also a major super star. Her music mainly talks of budding relationships, having fun, and enjoying time with her friends. At fifteen years old, it's hard to find a large scope of reference from which to draw meaning and inspiration for songs. Cyrus, like Britney Spears, is an icon but also a symbol. She represents virginity and purity (although lately her morals have come into question in the public eye) and her representations and the themes of her music are simple and innocent. This may change in the next few years if Cyrus is able to remain relevant in the popular music and television scene, although I have a slight hunch that like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, she will always be remembered for her pop-iconography and super stardom rather than her talent and songwriting abilities.
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