How a star's image develops over time through music video:
For this task I am analysing Miley Cyrus. She first became famous through the alias of Hannah Montana back in 2006 but began to 'breakout' from her Disney image through her first album that wasn't associated with the pop-star character - 'Breakout'. Since then, Miley's music genre has progressively changed throughout her albums from Pop-Rock to Pop to R&B.
In Miley's first music videos, she was presented as a family-friendly figure in order to be associated with her previous work as Hannah Montana. For example, videos like 'Start All Over' were very pleasant in concept whilst presenting a new 'punk' attitude, much alike Avril Lavigne, to also begin her own solo career and slightly lose connection with her popular role. 'Start All Over' contains a typical over-produced fashion alike all other Disney/Hollywood Records music videos and it's incredibly colourful as opposed to Cyrus' latest music videos. Backing dancers and other extras are also included of which would never be seen fully-clothed in one of her latest videos. Miley is seen dressed in a sleeveless black shirt, black boots and a 'punky' shirt that clearly aimed to show that she intends to achieve a more mature image and audience. Hannah Montana was for children whereas Miley Cyrus' music was aimed at early teens.
After the release of Miley Cyrus' second album, 'Breakout', she had adopted an even more mature image with her baby-faced look being replaced with a confident, edgier style. The music video for '7 Things', released not even a full year after 'Start All Over', showed Cyrus coping after a break-up through an energetic performance with her band 'rocking out'. However, the video was still awfully PC and despite dealing with and adult issues, it still managed to stay within the constraints of the Disney image looming over her career.
It's clear by these examples that early in her career, Miley intended to break away from her Disney image by moving into a Rock direction and dressing appropriately to fit that genre's archetype. Later into her career and up to the present day, Miley has completely and utterly changed her star image into an incredibly provocative one where she is rarely seen with an abundance of clothing.
In 'Can't Be Tamed', the first single and music video of Miley's third studio album with the same title (released in 2010), she is seen in considerably less clothing than she was during her 'Breakout' music video cycle. During the music video, Miley is dressed in all-black clothing which connotes sexuality and mystery. She is joined by an entourage of partially dressed men and women who are situated behind her - showing that she is of the most importance. There is also a scene where Miley is lying on the ground with her breasts being the pinnacle focus of the close-up shot. 'Can't Be Tamed' was the first of Miley's efforts to achieve a more adult, risque side to her. The look of the video is very dark which coincides with the darker pop direction that the 2010 album pursued.
Later in Miley's career, up until the present day, her star image has changed monumentally from the innocent early teen pop star that she once was. Miley decided to take a break from music in 2010 but she re-emerged in early 2013 - saying goodbye to her past music with the cutting of her infamous long hair. 'We Can't Stop' was released on June 19th and Miley can be seen doing things that would have been unimaginable for her back in the 'Start All Over' days. Other than wearing a minimal amount of clothing, Cyrus is seen donning a golden grill and shaking her bum. She's also seen causing destruction and acting mischievous with many members of the opposite sex to signify that she is no longer innocent like she used to be. Marijuana leaves are shown briefly at intervals during the music video as a visual motif which then becomes associated with the artist. The music video can be described as controversial for many different reasons but this shock factor allowed her to attract public attention again. The recurring colours of gold and white instantly associate with the hip-hop/R&B music genres and tell the audience that she is pursuing a different musical direction to what has been heard of her previously.
Miley then followed up 'We Can't Stop' with 'Wrecking Ball' which saw her stark naked and seductively licking a hammer (phallic object). This video was clearly acting upon the controversy that was evoked from her previous video and so she obviously decided to turn it up a notch. It seems that Miley's career has become less about the music and more about the negative public feeling that her music videos summon. It should be noted however that throughout Miley's career, all of her music videos contain her performing the songs. This may be due to the constraints of mainstream videos and their lack of a narrative. 'Wrecking Ball' affirmed that the days of Hannah Montana and the innocent Disney image were over and that Miley's transition to an adult image was complete.
In 'Can't Be Tamed', the first single and music video of Miley's third studio album with the same title (released in 2010), she is seen in considerably less clothing than she was during her 'Breakout' music video cycle. During the music video, Miley is dressed in all-black clothing which connotes sexuality and mystery. She is joined by an entourage of partially dressed men and women who are situated behind her - showing that she is of the most importance. There is also a scene where Miley is lying on the ground with her breasts being the pinnacle focus of the close-up shot. 'Can't Be Tamed' was the first of Miley's efforts to achieve a more adult, risque side to her. The look of the video is very dark which coincides with the darker pop direction that the 2010 album pursued.
Later in Miley's career, up until the present day, her star image has changed monumentally from the innocent early teen pop star that she once was. Miley decided to take a break from music in 2010 but she re-emerged in early 2013 - saying goodbye to her past music with the cutting of her infamous long hair. 'We Can't Stop' was released on June 19th and Miley can be seen doing things that would have been unimaginable for her back in the 'Start All Over' days. Other than wearing a minimal amount of clothing, Cyrus is seen donning a golden grill and shaking her bum. She's also seen causing destruction and acting mischievous with many members of the opposite sex to signify that she is no longer innocent like she used to be. Marijuana leaves are shown briefly at intervals during the music video as a visual motif which then becomes associated with the artist. The music video can be described as controversial for many different reasons but this shock factor allowed her to attract public attention again. The recurring colours of gold and white instantly associate with the hip-hop/R&B music genres and tell the audience that she is pursuing a different musical direction to what has been heard of her previously.
Miley then followed up 'We Can't Stop' with 'Wrecking Ball' which saw her stark naked and seductively licking a hammer (phallic object). This video was clearly acting upon the controversy that was evoked from her previous video and so she obviously decided to turn it up a notch. It seems that Miley's career has become less about the music and more about the negative public feeling that her music videos summon. It should be noted however that throughout Miley's career, all of her music videos contain her performing the songs. This may be due to the constraints of mainstream videos and their lack of a narrative. 'Wrecking Ball' affirmed that the days of Hannah Montana and the innocent Disney image were over and that Miley's transition to an adult image was complete.
Even before the 'Bangerz' era, Miley's star image was established through the use of close-up camera shots:
Even as early as 'Start All Over', the focus was on Miley's face where the video opens with her tucked in her bed with her face taking up most of the frame. '7 Things' also featured dozens of close-ups shots of Miley's face to cement her new status.
As her career has progressed, more and more close-up camera shots on her face are being used to firmly establish her image. However, as she has got older, the close-ups are being used more frequently to show her emitting her sexuality. For example, the focus on her licking the hammer in 'Wrecking Ball'.
Focus was also on Miley's hair during 'We Can't Stop' as a metaphor for the clean-cut image that she left behind. She is seen laying comfortably during the end of the video as she knows that she's broken away from the pressures of Disney forever.
Miley would be classed as an exhibitionist female as in her latest videos she uses her own body as she is proud of it and also to evoke sexual gratification from those that are watching. Typical props used during her latest videos would include gold jewellery and white clothing (if any).
Camerawork is used mostly to focus on the main subject of the frame during Cyrus' music videos; whether it be her face, bum or other lady parts. For example, during 'Adore You', the camera focuses on Miley's hand leading towards her underwear in a voyeuristic fashion.
The shot then changes to another shot of the same scene but from a different angle via a handheld video camera that Miley has control over. This editing technique gives the viewer an even more "intimate session" with Miley and draws further viewers towards the video as it is about as sensual as they are going to get with the star.
Miley Cyrus' wider cultural significance is in the expression of her body and the 'girl power' ideology that she presents. She considers herself as "one of the biggest feminists in the world" and I can see why. She has become so popular as she broke free from her Disney shackles and practices free expression in the public eye.
Miley Cyrus' star image has changed exceptionally from being a squeaky clean, manufactured popstar in her early teens to a confident young woman in touch with her sexuality. Miley obeyed her management through most of her youth but has now achieved world status through controversial music videos, risque public appearances and vulgar vocabulary.
Miley's album covers have also progressed aesthetically during her career:
Her first album, 'Meet Miley Cyrus (2007)', featured a fresh-faced, friendly Cyrus on its front cover. She is seen fully clothed in pink with innocent jewellery. The backdrop is white to focus on her subject and to introduce her solo career. This album was a second CD that accompanied the 'Hannah Montana 2' album to allow fans of Miley's character to become fans of her new career under her own name. Miley was fourteen years old at the time so controversy was unthinkable at the time.
Miley's second album, 'Breakout (2008)', had a very similiar album cover to her previous one. Miley is seen in front of a white backdrop once again however she is dressed in a more 'mature' outfit and is wearing a little more make-up than she did on the 'Meet Miley Cyrus' cover. Her hair is a lot more styled to show that Cyrus has grown up but yet her Disney image is still retained. Looking back, the golden microphone in Miley's hand could be seen as a case of subtle phallic symbolism but I highly doubt that Disney would have used this subliminally.
'Can't Be Tamed (2010)', released two years after her last album, saw Cyrus attempting to mature as an artist and in her image. On the album cover she can be seen pulling her trousers down to reveal her toned stomach. This showing of skin is a significant change as no skin had been showing, other than her bare arms, on her previous album covers. Miley is also dressed in a full leather outfit which connotes 'sexy' and 'risque'. The backdrop of the album cover is still white but with a dark shadow to imply that Cyrus is leaving her early-teen, guilt-free image behind. Miley intended to say goodbye to her virginal image but failed as she was still being associated with her Disney role.
'Bangerz (2013)', Miley's latest album, saw her take a completely different musical direction in the form of R&B and the album cover exhibits some of the genre's typical conventions.Miley is seen dressed in nothing but a long black jacket as she looks back at the viewer. This 'sexy' stance is reminiscent of Can't Be Tamed's album cover but turned up a notch. The background of the cover is a purple/pink gradient which relates to her new genre pursuit. Dropping her old record label, Hollywood Records, for RCA clearly had an impact on her image as well as her music. 'Bangerz' also has an alternative cover where the background is the same whereas Miley is topless. This would have been unimaginable of her back in 2007.
How Miley's star image has changed throughout her career so far:
2008
