Miley Cyrus has finally spoken up about that controversial photo that shows her and her friends (20-year old manfriend Justin Gaston, included) seemingly mocking Asian eye features and offers her perspective on the entire matter. In a message sent to a Miley Cyrus fansite, Miley tries to explain away the photo by claiming that she was merely making “goofy faces” and that the intent of the photo has been “taken out of context” by the people offended by it. Nowhere in her message to fans (which also addresses those paparazzi photos that featured her wardrobe malfunction) does she offer an apology for the photo, she is just “sorry” that people have taken it out of context and she mentions that she has apologized in the past when she has made mistakes … implying that she did nothing wrong in this instance. Here is the full text of Miley‘s message to fans (all spelling and grammatical errors are her own) along with TWO offending photos (apparently taken on the same night) of Miley “goofing around” with her friends:
Hey guys! Just wanted to give you a quick update on whats going on in my life! Im still in Nashville, but Im heading back to LA tomorrow! Taylor and I rehearse together tomorrow in Nashville before the Grammys on Sunday! That is going to be so much fun! Ive had such a good time being home hanging out with my friend Lesley and just chillin’ out!
Its good to get away from it ALL every now and then! I couldnt of planned a better week to come back to Nashville! I cant believe all of the silly STUFF that has been put out in the press this week! It really makes me sad that people want to tear other people down just for the sake of magazine sells and hits on websites! Unfortunately, it seems like BAD is what sells!
As for the shot of me taken outside of a dressing room, I wasnt aware that some creepy paparazzi was able to get a picture of me from where I was in the store. When did it become so out of control, that I cant come out of a dressing room to show my sister a shirt Im trying on? It seems to me there needs to be better laws and more boundaries on these photographers!
Ive also been told there are some people upset about some pictures taken of me with friends making goofy faces! Well, Im sorry if those people looked at those pics and took them wrong and out of context!
In NO way was I making fun of any ethnicity! I was simply making a goofy face. When did that become newsworthy? It seems someone is trying to make something out of nothing to me. If that would of been anyone else, it would of been overlooked! I definitely feel like the press is trying to make me out as the new ‘BAD GIRL’!
I feel like now that Britney is back on top of her game again, they need someone to pick on! Lucky me! haha Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know what is on my heart. You guys know me and have been by my side every step of the way!
You guys know my heart and know the most important things to me are my friends, family, fans, and GOD! In NO WAY do I want to disappoint any of you! But, when I have made mistakes in the past, I feel like Ive owned up to them and apologized.
Anyway, I really wish everyone would stop focusing on my personal life and get back to focusing on what I love! Music
and Acting! Hopefully, I will be touring again this fall! Yayy! =] It will be a nice change to be back out on the road
again! xoxo Blessings.. Miley =)
You will note that the tone of this message implies that Miley Cyrus sees nothing wrong with what she did. It is very true that she may not have intended harm by her actions but, firstly, that is no excuse and secondly, I’d think she’d have the mental ability (and the PR team) to tell her that other people might be offended and an apology might be in order. I honestly believe that a public apology would go a long way to inform impressionable kids that what she did is WRONG and should not be condoned, explained away or emulated. She does apologize if YOU have taken the photos out of context, tho. That is about as far as she goes. She asks since when does “making a goofy face” become newsworthy. My reply is that “making a goofy face” becomes newsworthy when a public figure is photographed making a “goofy face” that offends billions of people on the planet — just like it was newsworthy when the Spanish Olympic basketball team was photographed making the same “slant eye” gestures for their team photo before they went to China for the Olympics. If she were merely sticking out her tongue (like she often does) or pursing her lips then that sort of “goofy faced” behavior is not newsworthy. Pulling your eyes back at a slant with a bunch of your Caucasian friends at the expense of your sole Asian friend in the photo becomes insulting and “newsworthy”. She claims if it had been “anyone else” than “it would have been overlooked”. True, I’m sure there are many insensitive people in the world who have no problem mocking and making fun of other people. Sadly, right now in the world there are folks calling each other really hurtful names, etc. and those actions will be overlooked. But when you are a very public figure, making millions of dollars from your growing fan base, behavior like that does not and should be overlooked. I absolutely contend that if any other celeb had been photographed doing this same thing, it would’ve still been a big deal. What is MOST TROUBLING in Miley‘s case is that she has influence over YOUNG CHILDREN. If kids learn that this kind of “goofing” around is OK then they will, likely grow up to think that it is “OK” to “joke around” like this (as is evident from the many people who feel that this behavior is “no big deal” and should be laughed off). Finally, I take offense that she feels the need to mention GOD in her message … as if merely reminding people of her Christianity is another reason to excuse her behavior. I can tell you that in my many years of education in the Church (I attended Church faithfully until I was about 18 years old) I was always taught to respect other people and that mocking people in a joking manner is wrong.
In the end, I am now starting to believe that Miley Cyrus really has no idea that her actions are hurtful to others and sees nothing wrong with what she did … and that is the saddest thing of all. That she finds no fault at all with the hurt and pain that her actions cause others is kind of pathetic to me. When I was a teacher, I heard kids say and do some really hurtful things to one another (name calling at its worst) and I used every opportunity to try and explain to those kids what effect their bullying actions might have on others, even if they didn’t mean any harm. Sometimes I was successful and got thru to the kids, other times I was not … that is just a fact of life. I just cannot and will not endorse or rationalize anyone’s offensive behavior, not in any capacity. I just wish that someone had taken Miley aside to try and educate her on the importance of respecting other people. Mebbe if she wasn’t so bizzy focusing on Music and Acting then she might’ve learned those lessons at home or in school. It is my sincere hope that other young, impressionable children do not learn these lessons from her. In my estimation, she is unworthy of being a role model in that capacity.
[Source]
This is the second post I’ve seen made on this subject, and I felt that I had to say something.
First of all, I think it is sad that all of these people are attacking such a young girl. She’s at that age in her life that she doesn’t think about things before doing them. It is edging on pitiful that grown men and women are picking apart a 16 year old CHILD to try and make a point.
That being said, I’m sorry, but I don’t see anything wrong with these pictures. She is not harming anyone. You people say that she is “not a good role model anymore” because of these pictures. Why? I would like to hear your idea of a good Role Model. Give me the name of ONE girl or woman you deem worthy of being a role model, and I assure you I could go on the internet and find something she did wrong, or a quote or picture taken out of context, and say just as quickly, “see, she is not a role model either”.
It is unfair for you all to be so biased against her simply because she is Miley Cyrus. To all the people getting mad, and saying “OmGzzZ! SHe’s tr\YiNg to drAg BRiTNey INto THisss!”!11″ Did you even take the time to read what she said?
“…I feel like now that Britney is back on top of her game again…”
She was in fact giving her a compliment. We ALL know Brit had a hard fall, so she was giving her props for getting back on the horse and shutting the paps up. But none of you noticed that, because you were being to dense to actually read the statement.
Do you people really think this is the big problem with racism? This picture of a girl making “slanty eyes” is a big threat? How about Rush Limbaguh saying that:
“Obama is a disgrace – he wants the public to think he is Mr. Nice Guy while his thugs are in Alaska looking for dirt on Palin”
Or what about the fact that 3 in 10 Americans ADMIT to having Racial Bias? (http://www.startribune.com/business/22186669.html)
Or this story about white students urinating into the food of black workers? (http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/.....pstoryview)
Or the Former British Prime Minister (an ADULT) using a racial slur (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/.....cnnSTCText)
Are you all getting the point?
There are bigger fish to fry then your Miley here, who I don’t believe has done anything even remotely wrong when put in context. It’s like comparing one 2 year old taking a cookie from the cookie jar as opposed to an adult holding an entire Oreo factory hostage.
That’s my 2 cents.
@Moves — you should be sorry that you don’t see anything wrong with Miley’s actions. You should also be ashamed. I would offer that Gwen Stefani is a great role model, do your thang and try to dig up dirt. I don’t think most people are “biased” against Miley just because she’s Miley. They, me included, are probably not biased at all — it’s more a matter of being majorly offended by her idiotic behavior. Wrong is wrong. You did a great job of listing some really terrible things — but wrong is still wrong.
I think she is right and she shouldn’t make a huge apology if she doesn’t want to and isn’t really sorry. This is blown way out of proportion and it’s not racist just stupid.
People are offended by everything nowadays. It was stupid, but not an offence.
Crystal, you frickin’ idiot.
Name-calling is immature and lame. But, I simply felt the need to resort to it in this case. I don’t know you (and thank GOD) but you inspire my disgust. Why? Because you’re sitting here bitching and moaning a point that is ENTIRELY baseless and nonsensical. To compare light-hearted poking of fun at celebs who PURPOSELY throw themselves in the limelight is NOT THE SAME AS POKING FUN (be it intentionally light-hearted or not) AT AN ENTIRE RACE OF PEOPLE. HelllLLlllllOOOOOOOO?!?! People like you, who seem so WILLFULLY ignorant, really boggle my mind. Truly.
Sure, maybe it’s “whatever, not meant to be a big deal!”, and maybe you, being an ignorant, soul-less individual, don’t think it’s a big deal. If you don’t have the compassion or heart to be able to empathize with other human beings, if you can’t understand that this kind of ‘playing around’ could possibly hurt someone else (who isn’t a celebrity trying to sell magazines and should feel comfortable and proud with the features they were born with) even if it doesn’t hurt you AND, not to mention, you feel the need to be pig-headed and stubborn about your own self-important opining…..well then….it pains me to say (not really) the world is better off without people like you in it.
Do us all a favor and stop reading this blog that seems to pain you so so so much or at least just shut the hell up when you feel like ranting about bullshit around these here parts. K? THANKS!!! :) bUH-ByE!!!!
p.s. Trent, I always enjoy reading your silly and fun yet intelligent and empathetic musings. Keep on keepin’ on good buddy!
As an asian girl, I do not feel that Miley’s actions were racist AT ALL….. there was no hatred in her actions and i believe it was a goofy face, just as she said. If she put a basketball under her shirt to make fun of “pregnant women”, would she have to issue an apology to all of the pregnant women around the world for that too? Get over it America
trent you rule!
I’m Asian, and I don’t think it was racist at all. And I can’t even stand Miley Cyrus. She is young, we have all joked around with our mates when we were younger. Except Miley happens to be famous, and is constantly photographed. She’s still a kid, cut her some slack! We have all done stupid things, even at adult age. Look at Michael Phelps, Olympic hero who smokes pot. Jamie Lynn got preggers at 16. Vanessa Hudgens took nude photos of herself. Even if it was mocking her Asian friend, I’m sure it was all in good fun which was meant to be only within that circle of friends. You can’t expect anyone to be perfect, certainly not a naive 16 year old.
IMHO regardless if it was intentional or not, Miley should have simply offered an apology for unintentionally offending Asians and whatnot. Admittedly everyone has done something equally offensive but when you’re in the public eye, like her, these matters tend to get blown out of hand.
If she had an inkling of common sense, she would just swallow her pride and say sorry. it’s not that difficult.
I’m Asian and I’m proud of my heritage and culture. It is rather offensive when people mock the way I look. It’s like taking a gun and going around joking about Americans being violent.
Again, someone can say I’m making a big hoo-ha. But if she lets people know that this is alright then what’s next?
Well done for such an articulate response – I don’t want to add more to it, other than to say that I too am increasingly annoyed by the hypocrisy of mentioning God every time she needs to defend herself! No wonder people think Christians are a*holes if they go around insulting and offending people, then saying “it’s ok, because God knows my heart”… what BS!
I appreciated Trent’s blog entry on this topic and agree with him wholeheartedly. While Miley’s actions may *not* have been of malcious intent, the gesture if still offensive. Since when does the slanty eye gesture become a funny face that should be condoned?
I recently read a story relayed to a mother on a forum where her young daugther at school had her entire class make the slanty eye face to her. She cried and cried. Are the commenters here are annoyed or upset that individuals in Asian society are offended, maybe you should put yourself in that little girls shoes.
I appreciated Trent’s blog entry on this topic and agree with him wholeheartedly. While Miley’s actions may *not* have been of malcious intent, the gesture if still offensive. Since when does the slanty eye gesture become a funny face that should be condoned?
I recently read a story relayed to a mother on a forum where her young daugther at school had her entire class make the slanty eye face to her. She cried and cried. For the commenters here are annoyed or upset that individuals in Asian society are offended, maybe you should put yourself in that little girl’s shoes.
(I had to repost due to the above grammatical errors. My apologies)
Actually, from where she’s from I’m not surprised at all…
trent, you bitch. stop blogging about this major bitch ALREADY. don’t you get it? people hate her.
p.s. i am sorry for calling you a bitch. it is just too, fucking annoying.
Some people are coming on here claiming to be Asian and saying they are not offended. I am not going to say you are using the anonymity of the internet to make a point because that would be wrong.
Whether you think this is blown out of proportions or not, the fact of the matter is she DID offend people, myself included. A simple apology, instead of excuses would have sufficed and gone a long way to appease the people she did offend.
YOU may not care, but the country of China cares and the mothers of young Asian girls who want surgery to change the shape of their eyes care.
What I find interesting is suddenly Miley is a CHILD that needs protecting, who doesn’t know what she is doing. Yet several months ago when she posed for Vanity Fair in just a sheet with smudged red lipstick on she was old enough to make her own choices and since her parents were okay with it then everyone else should be. So when sex is involved people are fine, but when race is involved suddenly people are too sensitive? I don’t get it.
Is Miley racist? I don’t know, because I thankfully don’t know her, but if you research Asian stereotypes and racism against Asian Americans it becomes obvious that what she and her friends did was in very poor taste. If she is old enough to sexualize herself for America then she is old enough to at the VERY least apologize for offending ANYone, even if the picture was taken out of context.
I think racism in regards to Asian Americans has been a taboo and silent subject for a long time and no one remembers or acknowledges the history of Asians in this country. I think, we need to use this opportunity to eductae ourselves. Go online, look up Asian stereotypes and try to understand WHY some people are offended instead of shrugging it off and leftist propoganda.
Caucasian people in this country, pregnant women, blondes, and obese people, etc do not have the history of racism in this country that Asian Americans have had. If Miley and her friends had put on blackface makeup, the black and African American community would have been angry and rightfully so. It’s the same thing and to make the excuse that they were just making “goofy faces” which is an offensive as well, just makes the situation worse.
Just because Miley’s asian friend doesn’t have slanted eyes automatically means that he’s “pretending” to have “white features”?? What’s that about? (Rose, I’m talking to you.) Don’t be so ignorant.
And Trent, as an asian fan of your blog, thank you thank you thank you. I wish more people were like you. =)
@Kyleigh
seriously? did you read any of Crystal’s comments? i think there’s a reason why he called them absurd.
Great comments Trent- you see things clearly and it’s sad some people just don’t get it.
great post! i really enjoy reading your posts and comments. I agree with everything you said.
I’m Asian and I don’t feel offended at all… I think people just hate Miley Cyrus too much, so anything she does is slammed by the public :))
(Of course, it’s hard not to hate her.) :D