We would say "sit down," but you're probably not going to be shocked all that much: The Disney-darling-turned-twerking-diva Miley Cyrus that has become so controversial this past year is not doing so well in the polls.


If you were around for the backlash that followed her tongue-filled, nearly-nude, foam-fingered VMA performance, we bet you're hardly surprised. Twitter exploded with criticism and disapproval, but even prior, people loved to hate on her short, blunt haircut and her "is it still on?!" engagement to Liam Hemsworth.


Quantifiably, Miley Cyrus' public image has changed even more dramatically than her appearance over the past three years.


Celebrity DBI, an independent index that quantifies and qualifies consumer perceptions of 3,082 celebrities (actors, musicians, models, athletes and politicians), measured Miley’s impact when it comes to seven attributes: appeal, aspiration, breakthrough, endorsement, influence, trend-setter and trust.


In December 2010, she was in the top 3 percent in influence and trend-setter and top 23 percent for endorsement. As of August 2013, Miley ranks in the bottom 1 percent for appeal, aspiration, breakthrough, endorsement and trust. She is also in the bottom 20 percent for influence and trend-setter. That’s a hard and significant fall for under three years.


There are more statistics directed towards more specific demographics:



  • For men and women over 55 -- only 1 percent report liking her a lot.


  • In the 13-17 age group, 35 percent say they dislike her a lot.


  • In the 18-24 age group, a whopping 43 percent dislike her a lot.


The public has clearly responded to Miley's erratic and unexpected behavior, particularly the younger generation who grew up with her as Hannah Montana. It seems her target teen girl audience is either no longer identifying with her behavior, or is not finding it appealing or aspirational.


The older demographic clearly no longer considers her a positive role model for today’s youth, as previously demonstrated when Miley and Chris Brown were named the worst celebrity role models by over 2,400 parents back in June.


In August, Time featured an article written by a concerned mother to her daughter, saying "this is what happens when you constantly hear everything you do is awesome. This is what happens when people fawn over your every Tweet and Instagram photo. This is what happens when no responsible adult has ever said the word 'no,' made you change your clothes before leaving the house, or never spanked your butt for deliberate defiance."


Though the extreme distaste for Miley's demeanor is unsurprising, her fall from tween "it girl" to criticized young adult is quite notable. With the way her career's path has changed direction, it seems like she would have to try pretty hard to be even less favorable in the public's eye. Though it seems like rock bottom, one thing we know about Miley Cyrus is that she never has trouble finding a new way to surprise us. For the sake of her fans, we'll hope there are no more of these pigtailed, grill-filled or sledge-hammer-licking surprises.





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  • December 9. 2011


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  • August 23, 2012




  • February 9, 2013


    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at Clive Davis & The Recording Academy's 2013 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Antonio 'L.A.' Reid at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 9, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • February 11, 2013


    NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 14: Miley Cyrus poses backstage at the Marc Jacobs Collection Fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at New York Armory on February 14, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)




  • February 24, 2013


    WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Singer Miley Cyrus attends the 21st Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at West Hollywood Park on February 24, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for EJAF)




  • May 6, 2013


    NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Miley Cyrus attends the Costume Institute Gala for the 'PUNK: Chaos to Couture' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for The Huffington Post)




  • May 19, 2013


    LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 19: Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)




  • June 12, 2013


    LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 12: Actress/recording artist Miley Cyrus attends the Myspace Event at the El Rey Theatre on June 12, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)




  • June 29, 2013


    MIAMI BEACH, FL - JUNE 29: Miley Cyrus poses at the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party Presented by VISIT FLORIDA at Fontainebleau's BleauLive in Miami on June 29, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Clear Channel)




  • August 4, 2013




  • August 11, 2013


    UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - AUGUST 11: Singer Miley Cyrus attends the Teen Choice Awards 2013 at Gibson Amphitheatre on August 11, 2013 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • August 22, 2013




  • August 25, 2013


    NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Miley Cyrus attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for MTV)