The Caged Bird Sings

Britney was a "Slave 4 U"

Christina got "Dirrrrty"

And now, it's Miley's turn...

http://www.eonline.com/videos/v53035_miley-cyrus-cant-be-tamed-video.html

She is soaring out of the cushy Disney closet, leaving behind her morals and most of her clothes. Miss Cyrus gave us a little taste of what's-to-come with her infamous Vanity Fair shoot, her pole dancing at the Teen Choice Awards in 09 and those long forgotten slumber party-shower photos. Now it's official--Miley Cyrus can't be tamed.

Apparently, as her new video points out, she is like a rare, wild bird that can't be confined to a cage or metallic corset for that matter. She is breaking out of her Mickey-made-mold and slipping into something a little less comfy with a lot more feathers. "Party in the USA" was, and still is, wildly popular in most circles for its upbeat-good time feel. "I Can't Be Tamed" is sure to hit a different crowd (a.k.a. not my 5-year-old cousin.)

Some may find the transformation a bit jarring. One week she's Hanna Montana and the next she looks like Brtiney Spears in "Womanizer" meets Sasha Fierce. Couture S&M gear and a pole shouldn't be as appealing to her young fans as a blond wig but, odds are, giant black wings, thigh high boots and a leather bodysuit may be on your tween daughter's newest shopping list.

While her young fans (and their parents) may not be prepared, Miley's friends and Hollywood teammates are loving the new look, so far. Demi Lovato tweets, "SO proud of that girl... THAT VIDEO IS SOOO GOOD!!!!!" and others say she's the next Britney Spears just with a ten year headstart. Let's hope that title doesn't come with the psychiatric breakdown, two children with a hobo and a Mr. Clean haircut.

For now, we need to anxiously await her new album's release in June and accept the wild bird for what she is--a 17-year-old "discovering herself" with the help of her bottomless piggy bank and a team of people dedicated to pushing her to the edge. Hopefully, those gigantic wings really help her fly when/if she gets pushed too far.

Talent Show

Today in Hollywood a resume without at least 3 or more marketable talents is tossed aside for someone who can act, sing, dance, do trapeze and perform brain surgery. Ok, obviously I'm kidding with the last two (that's giving young Hollywood way too much credit). It seems that to make it in the biz today, you need to be at least a triple threat. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were the original multi-threat performers with TV shows, movies, CDs, books,
fashion and then some. This trend picked back up with the Disney channel and shows like Lizzie McGuire. With a younger sister in the house, there was no avoiding this tragedy of a children's show.

Where are the Boy Meets Worlds or Full Houses of my childhood? Anyway, I digress.

Disney's Lizzie/Hilary Duff empire came out with a movie in which she debuts as a (sort of) pop singer who (somewhat) dances. This starts a domino effect with Disney promoting "stars" like Raven Symone, Aly and Aj and Ashley Tisdale and now most popularly Miley Cyrus. Apparently any 12 year old with mediocre acting skills has equally mediocre singing abilities.

I'm sure not many of these Disney actors are familiar to everyone but there is no denying or hiding the fact that you all know High School Musical. The 6 or so "teen" actors (ranging from 18 to 28 in age) showcased there many talents in this wildly popular movie, turned stage show, turned ice show. HSM propelled these young actors onto young Hollywood's A-list.

I'm pretty sure big shots like Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie didn't really have to sing and dance their way into the spotlight; there are exceptions such as everyone's favorite over-achiever Will Smith. It's a necessity today that you come as a full package deal or you're out.

Just last week I spent some time with Justin Kredible-- an upcoming magician who not only has a traveling act but also does comedy, commercial acting (Cingulair and Sunny D) and is a correspondent for the Rachael Ray Show and MTV. He knows what's up.