Miley Cyrus has been the hot topic of the media after a VMA performance critics call “vulgar” and the release of her emotional music video “Wrecking Ball.” This has left many parents covering their children's eyes and grimacing in disgust at the flick of her tongue. Dedicated fans, though, are giving her their overwhelming support and calling the newly grown-up, former Disney star “artistic” and “real.” So what do you think: is she 21^st century art, or an embarrassing cry for attention?

    As a man with a passion for music, Mr. Heitkamp was dumbfounded by Miley's Video Music Awards (VMA) performance.

    “I don't consider that music. It's music in its own right, but more or less a demonstration of what MTV could do,” he said.

    MTV aired the VMAs at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, which was the reason for even more backlash. “I can't believe the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) allows that to happen when we sensor so many other things in America,” Heitkamp said, seemingly shocked that this would be aired on a public network at hours considered prime time TV, according to Nielsen (Newswire). The FCC website states that the Commission's rules prohibit the broadcast of indecent material during the period of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

    Why those times, you may ask? According to the federal courts, there is a reasonable risk that children will be in the audience from those times, and the courts don't lie; check Twitter. “My Twitter feed was blowing up the next day,” said Heitkamp, who didn't even watch the VMAs but looked up Miley's performance after viewers took to Twitter.

Photo Courtesy of digitalspy.com (Fair Use)

    Miley's performance may have been described as “crazy,” singing a duet with “Blurred Lines” artist Robin Thicke, complete with a pale-latex bikini and provocative dance moves with a foam finger. But what about Lady Gaga in her revealing bikini, or Madonna and Britney Spears's infamous kiss?

    “Shock value, plain and simple,” explained Heitkamp. “There is that good ole saying in show biz, 'there is no bad press.' That probably made her a lot of money.” Many can agree that Miley Cyrus is a big name, and that only increased after her recent performances.

    “She had a background from Disney channel; she wants to show she is an adult now,” said senior Joel Schumacker, who gave a teenage male's view on Miley Cyrus.

    While her VMA performance is making negative headlines, the release of her new music video “Wrecking Ball” has brought many Miley fans to their feet in defense.

    “I like her music video, I think it's artistic and I can see why she did it,” said devoted fan Abby Shroll. Shroll also had a stance that people are close-minded about her video because they lost respect for her after the VMA performance. “Miley has transitioned into a new role, and it's not expected,” she explained. “I respect the video and its meaning.”

  Miley Cyrus released her new album Bangerz on Oct. 4. Miley, 20 years old, has recently made big news again by posing topless on the cover of Rolling Stones for the Oct. 10 issue, making it clear that she's a “good girl gone bad,” according to the New York Daily News.    In a recent interview with Elvis Duran, Miley urged viewers to actually look at her and see she is even more broken than the song sounds. She explained the metaphors beneath the song and its accompanying music video.

    Many people have their own opinion of Miley Cyrus, and it's up to the public to decide: Is Miley free to be herself and do what she wants, or has she crossed the line and been a bit too...over exposed? Vote in our poll!