The artifact we chose to analyze was the music video “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus. In this video Miley Cyrus is depicted as a very vulnerable woman. Her vulnerability is shown through her actions and emotions. The actions she performs are things such crying, crouching over, leaning against a wall, and walking very slowly. Her vulnerability is really shown when she is stripped down to bare skin and is swinging on a wrecking ball. Throughout the entire video she carries around a sledge hammer and violently swings it against the walls. Not only does she convey sad emotions while swinging on a wrecking ball, but also enraged emotions when using the sledge hammer. The twist of emotions in the music video leave for a very powerful story.
The story and controversy behind this music video is why we chose to analyze it. Some may say that Miley Cyrus is just going crazy, meaning her drastic hair change and shift in clothing or lack thereof, while others believe that she is just trying to break free from the innocent reputation she built during her years as Hannah Montana. Little do they know, that a lot of her actions are a mere reflection of her trying to show the world that she is her own person. The story within the “Wrecking ball” video specifically hits on her relationship gone wrong with Liam Hemsworth. The couple met on the set of the 2010 movie “The Last Song”, and since then they have had an on and off again relationship. In 2012 Hemsworth and Cyrus announced that they were engaged. After their 15 month engagement, they ended their relationship. The video basically tells the story of how all she wanted to do was be with him for the rest of her life and then he “came in like a wrecking ball” and destroyed that. The younger generation of today’s society is very intrigued by the story of Miley and Liam’s relationship. Having began their relationship on the set of a romance movie and remaining in constant scrutiny, just like any other Hollywood couple, the two instantly became a fan favorite. The fans are able to feel connected to Miley’s heartbreak through the story she tells in “Wrecking Ball”. Overall we chose to analyze this music video because it not only shows great controversy but also allows us as fans of Miley to feel connected with her.
“Wrecking Ball” contributes to our class conversations because it clearly shows the change in popular culture. When you look back at music videos from the early 2000s, you see little to no scandalous clothing and bare skin. An example is in the music video “Genie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera. She may be wearing clothing that is portrayed as promiscuous, however she is not naked like Miley Cyrus is in “Wrecking Ball”. As the years have progressed popular culture has become more and more open to risky behavior and nudity. This is evident through Miley’s actions and lack of clothing in the “Wrecking Ball” music video. Although some of society still looks down upon the change and openness in popular culture, that will not stop artists like Miley Cyrus from being who they are whether they are naked or not. Popular culture is always evolving and we believe that Miley Cyrus’s recent actions have been prime examples to prove that it is never going to stop. Although some may be completely against the changes popular culture is undergoing, it is something that they will just eventually need to accept.
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