Music

People seem really upset over Miley Cyrus' VMA performance

by Tyler Munro

Last night’s VMAs were full of things that happened. ‘N Sync reunited, surprising no one. Lady Gaga was there, wearing something and doing something else. And Drake was there looking like a pack of gum. But nobody was more there than Miley Cyrus, whose love of ass wiggling seemed to set the world on fire late last night with a flurry of reactions that ranged from confused smirks to disappointed look-aways.

It was basically the boiling point for Miley’s new attitude, which more and more seems like the result of a caged animal finally let free.

People made a big deal about Rihanna’s reaction to the performance, based on this screen cap. Maybe she’s rolling her eyes. Maybe she isn’t?

Did Jaden Smith look absolutely flabbergasted by what he was seeing? Sure. But he always looks like that. And as for Willow Smith, she’s 12. That’s basically how 12-year-olds react to everything, isn’t it?

Let it be clear that she’s not doing anything wrong. Miley’s ass shaking, weird as it is now ubiquitous, is completely harmless.

Last night when she rubbed up on Beetlejuice Robin Thicke, the crowd didn’t seem to know what to think. Forget for a second that her shorts made her butt look weird and ask yourself if this is something we should be encouraging. Our response? Sure. Why the fuck not. Is it awkward? Yes. Can she twerk? No. Should she stop? Why?

Preach it, Judd. If Miley’s going to keep clapping that ass as the world’s reaction evolves from shock to disappointment to boredom, let her. It’s better than the alternative: she could start to focus on singing again.

Wait. Did the Onion predict this five years ago?

UPDATE: Rihanna and the Smith’s might not have been reacting to Miley Cyrus after all. No matter—our point still stands.