Oh that Miley Cyrus…making headlines all over because of her fashion choices.  Miley has been experiencing backlash lately because of her more “risque” performance outfits at recent appearances.  The most recent was at the MuchMusic Awards in Toronto on Sunday.  She had two performances and wore two equally skimpy styles and now fans are questioning, “Where did little Miley go?”

Miley made a good point when she defended her choices by stating the double standard that women are faced with in this industry :  Taylor Lautner and Zac Ephron are being photographed and encouraged to take their shirts off for roles and for magazine shoots, despite their young ages, and no one takes it personally.  People seem to take it personally when Miley shows a little leg and a hint of sexuality.

Here’s the thing:  she is still only 17.  And so technically she is still a child star.  But then again, Taylor and Zac were under 18 when all the hoopla started surrounding them too.  So I get her point about the double standards…

But.

Why is it that to show the world that you are “growing up” you have to be overtly sexual?  Maybe I’m a prude but, to me, there are plenty of other ways to assert your new status as an almost-adult.  Maybe not in the music industry though?  Maybe since Lady Gaga doesn’t wear pants, no other pop star can either?

To Miley though, little clothing has a different meaning:

“I work really hard to be fit and to know I can wear whatever makes me feel most comfortable, and I feel most comfortable dressing with a little less. And that’s kind of how I’ve always been, it’s just now I’m able to do that a little more freely.”

(I hear ya, girl.  I’ve been working out and yesterday I put on a pair of shorts that are shorter than I would normally be comfortable in…but dang if they didn’t look good!  I wanted to show off my hard work too!)

Honestly, when I look at these two photos though I don’t see a highly sexualized image.  I see a young girl putting on a show and in need of a different stylist.  Seriously – those black booties have got to go.  They make the poor girl’s feet look like hooves.

Enough about what I think!  What do you think?  Is Miley trying too hard to be “grown up?”  Do you think this is a natural progression?  Or do you think it is much ado about nothing?  Let us know what you think with a comment!