Miley Cyrus seemingly embraced the spirit of old headshot day this weekend when she posted a few throwback photos from her Hannah Montana days. But she also used the opportunity to comment on an old scandal that arose a decade ago.
In 2008, Miley made the cover of Vanity Fair in a story that included what the New York Post called "near-nude" portraits shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. Media outlets widely criticized Miley, who was then 15 years old, for posing for the images. Both she and Leibovitz ended up issuing apologies. Miley's read, "I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be ‘artistic,’ and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed. I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about."
Now Miley is rescinding her apology. On her Instagram Story on Sunday, she posted the New York Post cover about the photos with a caption that said, "IM NOT SORRY" and then, "F*/k YOU #10YearsAgo." The newspaper front page includes the most controversial photo in the bunch, which is Miley wrapped in a white sheet, her back exposed.
At the time, Disney Channel released its own statement, saying, "Unfortunately, as the article suggests, a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines.” But there was some pushback from Vanity Fair at the time. A spokeswoman for the magazine told The New York Times that Miley's family was on set and knew what was being shot: “Miley’s parents and/or minders were on the set all day. Since the photo was taken digitally, they saw it on the shoot and everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley.”
Now, 10 years after the photo shoot, it seems like Miley is trying to set the record straight about what she experienced at that time. It is interesting, however, how the years have wrought many more scandals for the pop star, including another shoot that kicked up controversy. In 2013, Terry Richardson, who has been repeatedly accused of sexual misconduct, directed her music video for "Wrecking Ball." Miley would later express regret for the video, telling the Zack Sang Show, "That’s something you can’t take away, swinging around naked on a wrecking ball lives forever. I’m never living that down. I will always be the naked girl on the wrecking ball.”
In the continued aftermath of #MeToo, Condé Nast (Teen Vogue and Vanity Fair's parent company) released a code of conduct in January that adds protections for models and crew. It also has specific stipulations for underage models, saying, "All models on set must be 18 years old. Where exceptions need to be made — such as when children are essential to a story — they must be accompanied by an agency-provided chaperone." It also adds the following: "Any shoot requiring nudity, sheer clothing, lingerie, swimwear, animals, simulated drug or alcohol use or sexually suggestive poses must be signed off in advance by the subject."
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