MTV’s Video Music Awards are known as “music’s wildest night,” and pop singer Miley Cyrus made sure to carry on that tradition, exceeding the expectations of her as the host of the show.
Miley has often appeared in the media since the release of her 2013 album Bangerz and her new image that followed. Miley has been quoted during interviews saying that she doesn’t like to wear clothes, and she has recently advocated for the “Free the Nipple” campaign that stands against the censorship of bare breasts. Sounds like something Miley would support, right?
Miley’s bizzare behavior had people wonder what would be in store when she hosted the VMAs, and to be honest, it had me wondering why MTV even chose her as the host for the evening. If it was to increase their ratings, her first ensemble of the evening was sure to grab the viewers’ attention. Let’s just say Miley went commando Sunday night.
Throughout the two hour program, including the red carpet pre-show, Miley wore 10 different outfits that didn’t leave much to the imagination. Her red carpet look set the tone for the night. She wore a “dress” by Versace that consisted of two silver straps to cover her breasts, with a chandelier barely covering her front and backside.
There was a glimmer of hope for the viewers, when the show started and Miley walked out on stage wearing a sequin jumpsuit that covered all of her body parts. But Miley couldn’t resist and her next outfit revealed everything but her breasts. The white cutout dress showed off Miley’s sides and stomach, and the hemline almost showed off her front and backside. This dress redefined the definition of mini.
But Miley didn’t stop pushing the boundaries. As the night went on, it seemed that she was wearing less and less clothes. One of the stranger outfits of the night was a tube top like structure that looked like eyes covering her breasts, and a mini skirt that looked like lips covered the bottom half, and her stomach poked through between the two.
Miley’s most scandalous outfit came in the form of a plastic see through “dress” that had multi colored pom poms that were placed to cover her private parts.
The last half of Miley’s outifts were as equally scandalous, multi-colored, and bizzare as the first five, and they included items such as hot pink bras, leotards, a square rainbow costume, a gleaming mirrored jumpsuit, and more eyes and lips.
Now, some viewers may be thinking that Miley’s outfit choices weren’t that bizarre compated to the 2003 VMAs when Madonna and Britney Spears kissed on stage. Viewers also recall rapper and producer Kanye West interuppting singer Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video. Some may say that stranger things have happened than a naked host.
While it is true that the VMA’s are known for dramatic events and crazy fashion choices, the host is usually fully clothed. The last time there was a host for the VMA’s was in 2012, and it was Kevin Hart, so rest assured that he was fully clothed.
MTV’s ratings dropped 40 percent this year, the channel itself only had five million people tune in, their lowest number since 2012 when only six million people tuned into MTV. Some fans of the awards show have attributed this to Miley being the host, while others said that it had nothing to do with her, but MTV’s different advertising style this year.
To get their ratings up again maybe MTV will go back to their tradition of not having a host, or at least find one who enjoys wearing pants next year.
Keeley Gould is a fourth-year student majoring in English and minoring in journalism. She can be reached at KG787739@wcupa.edu