Miley Cyrus and the stripper pole: What do you think?

Miley Cyrus' brief flirtation with a stripper pole on Fox's Teen Choice Awards on Monday night has people buzzing today with online forums and message boards lighting up with adjectives like "inappropriate," "shocking" and "trashy." 

But was it really any of those things? As Culture Monster recently reported, pole dancing is fast losing its risque stigma, thanks in part to gyms and fitness centers that use the pole for workouts. In the dance world, the stripper pole has become the focus of a new competitive sport that has followers all over the world. Even family-friendly Cirque du Soleil has hired a pole dancer for its "Zumanity" production.

Cyrus, 16, is reported to have said her on-air pole dance was intended as an homage to her small-town, trailer-park roots. However you want to parse that statement, the teen star's actions have clearly succeeded in sending mixed messages. That the stripper pole was planted on top of an old-fashioned ice cream cart -- a symbol of childhood innocence and wholesomeness -- only heightens the cognitive dissonance. 

So what did you think about Cyrus' little dance Monday night? Take a minute to vote.

-- David Ng

Comments

[Dillon Triplett]

What she did was not even close to pole dancing, first of all the pole was there so she wouldn't fall, secound of all she dipped down inches away from it, and finally most likely this whole thing was choreographed by someone else, not miley cyrus. So she did as the instructor said she might of inprovised here and there but someone else came up with those moves, and for the most part she really didn't even dance, this whole thing is getting out of praportion just because she is an icon for little girls. So was lindsy lohan, brittney spears, and all them, then after they got to a certain age, they all tryed to go out for the young sexy woman thing, miley cyrus wont be any exception, and its all natural because after a certain point they dont want people to still see them as a little girl, they want to be known as a fully grown woman, atleast shes not doing drugs like most the other stars, and by doing that she is already setting a pretty good example for little kids, and besides that point little girls will be exposed to much more than that in real life weather they hear about it from their parents or the tv is up to the parents. Stop looking for someone to blame.

[ladeda]

It is saddening to see that girls look up to this. It is not the fact that Miley should not be able to live her own life, but the fact that she is a role-model to young girls. If Miley wants to be mature and grow up, then she should do it in a more classier fashion than what she is taking on. I am neither a fan nor a hater of Miley, but I do find it inappropriate to wear that type of clothing while having a stripper pole to hang on to. Even though she technically did not dance with it, it still personifies a sexual thing. Most people are blaming her parents, which they have the right to, but at the same time, Miley should have enough morals to know that she is performing infront of children who look up to her. If she wants to be taken more seriously, then she needs to judge her actions a little better. She is only 17. She has all the time in the world to mature and grow up. It is definitely a different world we live in today.

[Brianna]

First thing, she is depicted at trailer trash, getting out of a trailer in the beginning.

Second, not a stripper pole. Looks like it was put up there so she would not fall of the "ice cream handcart".

Third, not dancing, not even close. Wriggling a bit.....bu that is it.

[marc]

Pole dancing = bona fide white trash.

[Kelly]

I just think that people just make it a big deal because she's supposed to be an "icon" for young vewiers. But the truth is , WHO CARES ? Its her life & I dont find anything wrong with what she was doing. People really need to get over it. Like , why do you care If she bahaved like that ? It's not you up there. So go find someone els to HATE on . I believe im done here.

[fan]

she's 18 now her daddy doesnt have a say

[analisa ledesma]

i think u are a stipper and not 2 be mean

[DANNY]

SHES SO FINE