Miley Cyrus’s racy new image and break from her Disney counterpart, Hannah Montana, has had her in the news a lot lately. Now the star’s sexy new look may be more trouble than it’s worth. Perez Hilton tweeted a photo of the star supposedly panty-less. He took the picture down later in the day after mayhem ensued from outraged fans and critics, some saying Hilton should be charged with child pornography since Cyrus is only 17. He claimed that the starlet really did have underwear on and the picture had been photoshopped.

After it seemed the initial controversy surrounding the photo had somewhat died down, Hilton stirred it up again. This time with a photo of Cyrus in a barely-there leotard which exposed her nether regions. Some couldn’t believe Hilton was at it again. But at this point we have to wonder: is this the Hollywood media being too intrusive or should Cyrus tone it down a bit?

Although a lot of celebs have beef with Hilton over his sometimes rude comments, they have to realize that we live in a media-frenzied world. In the case of the first photo, I’d side with Cyrus. Nobody needs to be snapping photos of her panties while she gets out of a car. With the second photo, however, I side with Hilton. If it wasn’t him posting pictures and comments on his blog about Cyrus, there would be someone else. Other bloggers and news sources had their own pictures of Cyrus from the Much Music Awards in Toronto when her tiny leotard slipped. This was a public appearance where media was present. It wasn’t exactly an intrusion of her privacy.

Now, I remember being 17 like Cyrus. You want to be treated as an adult, and you are in a phase where you are taking on more responsibility. I was in my senior year of high school, getting ready to graduate and go on to college. So, I totally get that part. But I wasn’t running around in sky-high heels and revealing clothes. There are the same excuses — it’s different in Hollywood and show business, she’s being artistic and expressive, and so on. All I can say is if Cyrus wants to be treated like more of an adult then she needs to take responsibility for the decisions she makes. She is successful enough now that if she really didn’t want to wear hoochie clothes and dance on poles, she doesn’t have to.

One blogger made an interesting comparison between Cyrus and her friend, Taylor Swift. Both girls are very successful and close in age. But Swift doesn’t need to run around in flesh-baring outfits and is still considered an artist (she writes her own music). If she can choose how she wants to appear, why can’t Cyrus? It’s too soon to see how this new image will affect her career but, for now, I think maybe Cyrus should tame her new wild ways and leave the controversy to someone else.

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This past week I had the chance to speak with Anjelica and Ariel of the budding nonprofit, One is Greater Than None. These two girls, along with six others, started a organization at age 14 to raise money to save trafficked children in Ghana, Africa. After discovering it would require approximately $4,300 to save just one child, the enterprising young ladies decided to craft bracelets attached to cards that would educate people about the troubles in the African nation. There also were T-shirts, emblazoned with their logo, “1>0,” complete with the tag line “Be Part of the Equation.” Since their humble beginnings in 2007, the girls have raised over $100,000 and helped 48 children.

The girls, now 16, are moving on to help people in rural parts of the U.S. with Remote Area Medical (RAM), an organization supplying free medical care to rural areas. The mission is to motivate people by showing that even the smallest amount can help change the world.

Before seeing the Oprah episode “The Boy Oprah Couldn’t Forget,” what made you girls want to start a charity?

Ariel: Well, we all come from fairly comfortable backgrounds and families that involved us in charitable things since we were young.

Anjelica: We wanted to do something fun with our friends.

Who are some of the people the One is Greater Than None girls look up to?

Ariel: Oprah! Ah, Pam Cope who started Touch a Life. She helps orphanages around the world. She’s like a saint ― honestly the most amazing person! Eric Peasah from the International Organization for Migration. Oh, and Taylor Swift!

Anjelica: Yes!

Unison: TAYLOR SWIFT!

Ariel: We are in love with Taylor Swift! She knows who she is and she’s just a great role model.

Anjelica: We blast her music in the car when we’re all headed somewhere together and sing along!

 

 

The simplicity of this organization and the amount of impact it has is inspiring. Is there a lot of planning? What is a typical week for the girls like?

Ariel: Every Sunday there’s a meeting with all eight girls and sometimes the moms. Everyone is in charge of a certain something. We get help from parents on things we can’t do because of our age.

Anjelica: We usually do one charity a week. It’s great having eight girls because two girls can go here and two girls go there.

So much has happened with One is Greater Than None in the last two years. Are you overwhelmed with the amount people have given?

Ariel: I’m in shock that this is even happening, that we’ve been able to do so much in such a short time. People give so much!

How do you balance school, running a life-saving nonprofit and a personal life?

Ariel: Time management! It’s sort of like: Alright, Sundays ― make 20 bracelets; Saturday ― do all my homework in the morning then go hang out with friends.

Anjelica: I’ve learned how to manage time from being in the charity.

Ariel: Yeah, there’s not as much room for procrastination.

You ladies have accomplished so much at such a young age. In the midst of everything do you feel put together?

Ariel: I’m confident but am still learning who I am. As far as school and social life, I’m still learning how to feel put together.

Anjelica: This charity has helped shape who I am today. I’m a more mature person, more put together than if I hadn’t done this.

Your mission statement says that “any contribution, no matter how small, has value.” How can people be part of the equation daily, weekly, monthly or yearly?

Ariel: As far as helping the charity, you can donate, buy jewelry and spread the word. Organize something at school for us. We LOVE speaking at middle schools and high schools because students are so impacted by our message! For the world, any random acts of kindness. Just try to make the world a better place. There are so many different ways to help and get involved.

Anjelica: Definitely volunteer your time.

To donate to One is Greater Than None, purchase jewelry or clothing please visit Oneisgreaterthannonoe.org.

And remember, “Any contribution, no matter how small, has value.”

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It used to be that when we thought Tim McGraw, we were supposed to think of her, too.  No, no…not Faith Hill. Taylor Swift. Only now, there’s no need to think just Tim McGraw; we can think Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, even Brooks & Dunn. That’s some major country royalty. And those names, along with Miss Swift, make up Forbes’ Top Five (Estimated) Earners from Nashville in 2009. (Brooks & Dunn and Tim McGraw both came in at number five.)

Taylor Swift is number four on that list, after being the best-selling solo artist of 2008 and having some fun on the big screen with Miley Cyrus, Swift is expected to bring in about $18 million in 2009. But, as we all know, it’s not about the money.

This sweetheart has broken into the good ol’ boys club. Not only were the others in the Top Five all on last year’s Forbes list, they’re all male. After Taylor, the next highest rank amongst women is Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Nettles (both in 8th). Country music listeners tend to be loyal to their acts and so you see many top earners who have been around the rodeo a time or two but, with the Dixie Chicks on what seems to be a temporary hiatus, we are glad to have and up-and-comer like Taylor breaking through to the top tier.

Taylor writes her own songs and belts them out in a mix of country twang, solid pop, and a bit of coffee shop culture. Her accomplishments have left us wondering what we might accomplish if we have the courage to sing it out loud, too.

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It began in 2006 as a hit Disney Channel TV series and then branched out to the big screen in 2008 with Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert.  Now the “Hannah Montana” phenomenon is all grown up with a full-length feature film entitled Hannah Montana: The Movie.  Just as the franchise continues to grow in success, the film depicts Hannah’s continued climb to stardom as an international pop sensation.

At the film’s start, Hannah seems to be the girl who has everything, but somewhere amidst the hair, make-up and Rodeo Drive shopping sprees, Miley has begun to get lost in the shuffle.  In an attempt to help her return to her roots, Miley’s father (Billy Ray Cyrus) tricks her into going home to Tennessee for her grandma’s birthday.  This is where the adventure begins, as Miley reconnects with her family, falls in love and rediscovers herself in the countryside of her home town of Crowley Corners.  Miley is joined on the big screen by several favorites from the TV show and additional cameos by Tyra Banks, Taylor Swift, and Rascal Flatts.

Hannah Montana: The Movie was definitely not on my must see list, but since it was a slow weekend as far as releases, I thought I would give it a shot for the sake of you, i am that girl readers.  I walked into the theater with several preconceived notions about this film, despite the fact that I’ve never even seen an episode of the TV series.  I was expecting screaming tweens, blond wigs, and bad pop songs… So when I actually got a touching coming-of-age story, I was pleasantly surprised.

Miley is likeable on-screen and it’s hard not to fall for her charm and youthful energy.  There is an innocence about her that is endearing and the film proves to be genuine and heartfelt overall.  While the plot seems fairly generic and borders on corny cliché at times, it is perfectly suited for its target demographic of young girls.  There is also a wholesome message at the film’s core about finding yourself by returning to your roots and the importance of knowing where you’re from to get to where you’re going.

In the end, it’s all about the journey or “the climb” as they refer to it in the film and as Miley learns, no matter how much commercial or financial success you may achieve, knowing who you are and staying true to yourself is the true definition of success.  The film also offers an interesting depiction of fame through the Miley Cyrus/ Hannah Montana dichotomy, delving into how notoriety can change people and the importance of staying grounded.  In terms of production value, this big-version is well shot and directed and while the music lacks originality, it’s still catchy and appropriate for the story.

That Girl says: Like it! This is almost embarrassing to admit, but Disney delivers an upbeat and uplifting tale that is sure to make audiences smile.  It may be formulaic, but it’s a formula that works and transfers nicely from the small to the big screen.  Amidst the clutter at the box office, it’s encouraging to find a film that promotes the importance of a woman knowing herself and Miley seems to be a positive role model that young girls can identify with.

Release Date:  April 10th, 2009 (Wide Release)
Running Time:  102 minutes
Rated:  G
Company:  Walt Disney Pictures
Cast: Miley Cyrus – Hannah Montana / Miley Stewart
Billy Ray Cyrus – Robby Ray Stewart
Emily Osment – Lilly Truscott / Lola Luftnagle
Jason Earles – Jackson Stewart
Mitchel Musso – Oliver Oken / Mike Standley III
Moises Arias – Rico
Lucas Till – Travis Brody
Vanessa Williams – Vita
Margo Martindale – Ruby
Director: Peter Chelsom
Official Site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/hannahmontanamovie/#/home

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