NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Billy Ray Cyrus says the Disney TV show "Hannah Montana" destroyed his family, causing his divorce and sending daughter Miley Cyrus spinning out of control.
In a December interview published in the Feb. 22 issue of GQ Magazine, Cyrus said he wished the show that launched his daughter to pop stardom had never happened.
"I hate to say it, but yes, I do. Yeah. I'd take it back in a second," Cyrus said. "For my family to be here and just be everybody OK, safe and sound and happy and normal, would have been fantastic. Heck, yeah. I'd erase it all in a second if I could."
Cyrus and his wife, Tish, filed for divorce in October. They have three kids together — Miley is the oldest — and two from Tish's previous marriage.
Billy Ray Cyrus said when he asked about the rumored video footage of his daughter smoking from a bong at her 18th birthday party in December, he was told it was none of his business. He refused to attend the party, saying it was wrong to have it in a bar.
Cyrus says in the interview that he tried too hard to be a friend instead of a parent to his daughter. He said he is scared for Miley and compared her current path to those of other stars whose lives ended tragically, including Kurt Cobain, Anna Nicole Smith and Michael Jackson.
"I should have been a better parent," Cyrus said. "I should have said, 'Enough is enough — it's getting dangerous and somebody's going to get hurt.' I should have, but I didn't. Honestly, I didn't know the ball was out of bounds until it was way up in the stands somewhere."
He said his entire family was baptized before leaving Tennessee for Los Angeles to protect themselves from evil, and he believes Satan is attacking his family."
Are there ANY circumstances under which you would encourage your child to become a star, or even attempt to go that direction? Is it possible for ANY teenager to properly grow up with such public scrutiny and money? I saw True Grit last weekend, and was astounded at the depth of talent and intelligence clearly on display by the young actress in the film. I am with a recent critic of the Academy Award nominations who said that is wasn't clear "exactly WHOM Hailee Steinfeld was supporting" indicating that she clearly deserved to be in the "Best Actress" category. With Miss Cyrus I've always thought, "What are her parents thinking???" and with Miss Steinfeld I can't help but think how awful it would be if she goes the same direction.
Maybe there is hope. Miss Steinfeld reports that her parents insisted she go to bed on time the night of the news release concerning Awards nominees. When her name was on the list, they came into her room and told her. The night that Miley Cyrus' most recent movie was released? She was seen lap-dancing with the director at a wrap party. She was 16. Her parents were not at the party. Satan can't get in your house unless somebody hands him the keys.
5 comments:
I remember my mom saying that my aunt had mentioned once that her oldest two daughters (who are close in age to my sister and me) would always come home and tell her all about their dates and if they'd kissed, etc. All the details.
My mom said at first she felt a little badly that her relationship with us wasn't like that, but then she decided she wasn't trying to be our best friend. She was trying to be our parent. I have always appreciated that my mom knew clearly what her role was.
Parents that are trying to be best friends, especially to a teenage child, seem somewhat desperate to me.
The best advice my mother ever gave me was, "Somebody will be in charge at your house, and it may as well be you: you're the grown-up."
In a related head-exploding moment . . . a "concerned aunt" appeared in Dear Abby today expressing deep concern over her sister. You see, said sister READS her daughter's texts, but rather than censoring them or using the information to keep tabs on the child, she boasts about how "popular" her daughter is because she has so many boyfriends. And why all this awesome male attention?
She is giving them oral sex. Regularly. Frequently. And indiscriminately.
"Concerned Aunt" wants to know if it is appropriate to talk to her niece about STD's, etc. etc. Uh. Yes. For the love! Somebody has got to.
Oh. Did I mention that the niece is 14?
So reading this post and your comment about Dear Abby sent chills down my spine. I pray every day that I can do things right for my kids.
"Satan can't get in your house unless somebody hands him the keys."
Excellent point. Sometimes the hard part is knowing when you're handing over a key. When do video games or a cell phone, for example, go from being harmless fun to a liability or a danger? I'm grateful for prophets and the Spirit to clarify, and I pray I'll have the wisdom to follow them.
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