Miley Cyrus- Representations

Online article from 'The Guardian' newspaper- The images used in this article provide the audience with a representation of Miley as a vulgar, controversial young woman. This is represented through her lack of clothing and the manner in which she is seen to be dancing in the small screenshot of the video clip included. The lack of clothing may represent to the audience that this is the way that Miley now wants to represent herself. This suggests that Miley is growing and transforming as an artist by opposing to her past image. By appearing to be wearing a nude toned outfit, it provides us with the representation that she wants to show herself for who she really is, no extravagant outfits to distract from her music. However, it could also be argued that the her outfit choice is a way of gaining publicity for her music, due to the controversy it will cause.

The encoders of this text, in this case the editors and journalists at the Guardian, have aimed to represent Miley as a negative influence and an almost offensive public figure. The text uses words and phrases such as 'criticised', 'raunchy', 'manipulating' and 'sexually exploit'. Each of these phrases have severely negative consequences of an almost psychotic or criminal nature. This allows the article to push a representation of Miley using shock tactics to draw the attention of the audience.

The article also repeatedly refers to Miley's past involvement with the media and her past representations in order to make a comparison between them. This is shown when the article says 'former child star' and 'family- friendly Hannah Montana'. This is used briefly imply that like many other former child stars, Miley is heading down a route of ruining her career due to receiving the pressures of celebrity life at such a young age. Also, by reminding the audience that Miley gained her fame from being the star of an extremely popular disney tv show, the encoders are hoping that the audience will make a physical comparison between the two main images that Miley has sported through-out her fame.

The Guardian would expect their audience to take the preferred reading of the text. This would be to see Miley as a negative influence for her mainly young audience, as opposed to her past positive influence. The audience would understand that Miley is showing signs of a diminishing career through her controversial look and on stage performances, presenting Miley as a rebellious figure.

This representation would be easily absorbed as the mainstream consumers of this text have a need for social interaction. This need would be certainly met by this article as the controversial topic mixed with the celebrity status and levels of familiarity.




This article is successful in representing Miley in a more positive light. Firstly, the headline of the newspaper describes Miley as having a 'heart of gold'. This suggests that she is a very kind person, and one who has brought joy through her actions. This opposes the last representation of her, which displays her as being careless, she is now shown as being a very caring character shown through her voluntary visits to children's hospitals.
This positive representation is further shown in the article through the images shared. Miley is shown to be wearing a bright, multicoloured outfit. This could be suggested to be a method of entertainment and a way to cheer up the children who are in the hospital. Her fashion sense is being in a positive light rather than being bashed for being provocative and revealing.
This further opposes the statement made in the Guardians article about Miley being a bad influence for the younger audience.

The encoders of this article have aimed to present Miley as a model citizen and a figure of admiration and aspiration for all of us. This is suggested when the article uses the phrase 'heart of gold' in the title. The encoders are aware that the audience will be able to show respect towards somebody with pure intentions and by telling them that Miley has a heart of gold, it connotes purity and kindness. Furthermore, other encoders including the photographer, lay a significant roll in this article. The photographer and editor have specifically chosen shots in which both Miley and the patients of the hospital look to be very happy and enjoying themselves. This only provides the audience with suggestions that all of the patients were pleased to be visited by Miley, therefore suggests that she is significantly liked and respected by the young audience. In doing so, the encoders create an image of a respectful, kind and responsible idol for the young children she is visiting.

The audience of the daily mail would be expected to accept the representation of Miley as the sweetheart celebrity who enjoys visiting sick children in hospital and provides them with a positive role model.






This brief article represents Miley in a very unique way. Despite her overwhelming success and quite obvious fame, this article shows Miley in a different light, showing her to be like any other teenager. The article continues and tells its audience that (quoted from Miley herself), "I was made to look like someone I wasn't". This may provoke sympathy or even empathy from the audience as they may understand what it feels like to be told that you need to change  to please other people. It also brings to light another side of Miley that many people would not be aware of. Her fans would regard her as confident however this article suggests that due to her childhood roles, she is the opposite rendering to be insecure.

The encoders, the editors and journalists of BBC newsbeat, have attempted to show an alternate side of Miley. Rather that congratulating her over her success, they have instead opted to show the audience that like everybody, Miley has her insecurities, just like anyone else. They have tried to represent her as an approachable figure for young teens. This is also supported by the editorial choice for the use of photograph. The photo chosen is one in which Miley is showcasing a smile and eye contact. This could be used to establish a connection between Miley and the audience. However, with the encoders may be trying to reveal a juxtaposition which suggests that the smile is fake and that she actually wasn't happy during her role as Hannah Montana.

The audience of BBC newsbeat would be expected to accept the preferred reading in which suggests that Miley is an insecure woman due to the pressures placed on her during her childhood from her role as Hannah Montana.

This will be easily accepted by our society due to ideological beliefs that women should be encouraged to feel comfortable in their own bodies.









The final article about Miley is one published by 'MSTARS News'. This article presents the arguable more private element of Miley's life as it discusses her relationship with actor Liam Hemsworth. The first element to strike the audience is the photo used. This photo seems to provide evidence that the couple seem to be very content and happy. However, when coincided with the headline, it seems to tell a story of trouble in their relationship. The article picks upon their rocky past as a weakness to pick upon.

The encoders have attempted to show Miley as a possible controversial character when it comes to her relationships. This article suggests that she may have been unfaithful due to the sudden involvement of Nick Jonas in the relationship with her long term fiance. This has been enforced by the editors and journalists through using direct quotes from a past interview with Nick in which he admits that Miley was his first kiss. This is used to try and give justification to the allegations of Nick trying to 'steal' Miley away from her current relationship. The article then continues to suggest that Miley was Nicks first love therefore, he has a possible justification for trying to pursue her once again. This again reflects Miley in a negative light as it suggests that Nick is innocent and even romantic by trying to rekindle their relationship, which only leaves room for Miley to be represented as the bad guy.

The audience would be expected to have responded with the preferred reading of seeing Mileys love life as being unsteady and that presumably, she is the cause of the controversy around her relationship.