She came in like a wrecking ball
OK, hear me out. Sure, licking sledgehammers and humiliating the inventor of the foam finger might not be the kind of traits that come to mind when one thinks of a feminist icon. Caitlin Moran and Emmeline Pankhurst never twerked on Robin Thicke or insisted on sticking their tongues out in every photo opportunity as if they’re suffering from some kind of rare disease that you would only ever hear about on House.
But despite the wrecking balls and the teddy bear costumes, Miley is the only feminist icon that we need in 2016.
She’s symbolic of feminism as it should be today
I’m in no way saying that Miley is the best feminist icon of all time. If she’d have been a suffragette, she would have probably started twerking on a horse instead of risking life for her cause. But, for 2016, she’s everything.
In a society of victim shaming and prolific messages to girls to not leave the house wearing clothes that a vicar wouldn’t approve of, Miley shuns that. She does what she wants when she wants and she wears whatever the fuck she wants whilst doing it.
Going on a sell out tour and want to dress as a teddy? Go for it. Been invited to perform on national television and think looking like a baby would be cool? Give it a go. Going on Jimmy Kimmel for a live interview but feel like going topless? Do it. While you’re there, you may as well promote the free the nipple campaign and inspire comedian Ali Wentworth to do the exact same thing straight after you. Iconic.
She has a huge following
You can’t be a 2016 icon unless you have a following and, on Instagram alone, Miley has more followers than there are people in Argentina.
We grew up with her
She was even an icon when she was 13. Her albums as Hannah Montana still hold up today. Sorry, but you’re lying if you deny that ‘Nobody’s perfect’ hasn’t gotten you through some tough times. Still wondering whether it’s possible to live the American dream and have it all? Give ‘Best of Both Worlds’ a listen and you’ll leave convinced that you can chill out and take it slow whilst also being able to rock out the show.
Sure, she didn’t write the episodes or some of the songs on the albums but that doesn’t mean her performances of them weren’t iconic and inspirational to the generation that grew up watching.
She’s not influenced by what other people tell her
In 2013, Sinead O’Connor wrote an open letter to the pop singer voicing concerns that Miley’s actions were as a result of being pressured by people in the music industry. If that ever was true, it certainly isn’t now.
Her latest album, ‘Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz’ was made for less than $50,000 and her label didn’t even know it existed until it had been finished. A complete passion project, Cyrus didn’t do any press around it as she felt it was too fake and insincere and the album is available for free on Soundcloud.
She does what she wants, when she wants and doesn’t let others get in the way. If that’s not an expression of 2016 feminism, I’m not sure what is.
She set up her own charity
The Happy Hippie foundation aims to fight injustice for the homeless, LGBTQ youth and other vulnerable groups. In their manifesto, they say: “People who say we can’t change the world are wrong. We will make some noise and cause a scene! We will challenge each other and the world & will stop pointless judgment.”
Amongst numerous other causes, they’ve provided support and resources for gender-expansive youth and collaborated with Planned Parenthood to promote the pro-choice movement.
When people write about 21st-century feminism, they’re writing about Miley
Probs not intentionally, no. But it still remains that Miley is living the life that feminist writers have been telling girls to for years. Maybe that’s why people are so critical of her. Her actions are groundbreaking for someone who’s been in the public eye for so long and, in the age of self-help and advice books, maybe someone taking the advice and exemplifying the lessons is too much for some people to handle.
In ‘#Girlboss’, Sophia Amoruso tells girls that, if they want a successful business like Nasty Gal, they need to get up and get it done. Miley is doing that daily. With the backyard sessions, her latest album and Happy Hippie, she’s symbolic of what a girl boss is. Caitlin Moran, Lena Dunham, and Emma Watson speak about feminism becoming inclusive for all sexualities and all genders, Miley doesn’t even identify with a single sexuality or gender.
Beyonce talked about running the world, Miley is doing it.