--- description: Miley Cyrus openly discussed marijuana and accidentally 'exposed' herself on air title: Parents TV Council Criticizes Miley Cyrus for 'Offensive Content' at VMAs image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd4d1de5b06a3c8b6/698861a8524fc00961df44fe/miley-cyrus-vma-2015.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Parents Television Council Criticizes MTV and Miley Cyrus for 'Offensive Content' at VMAs by [Jessica Goodman / Entertainment Weekly](/author/entertainment-weekly/) ## Jessica Goodman / Entertainment Weekly Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Aug 31, 2015 3:32 PM CUT  Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Aug. 30, 2015. Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Aug. 30, 2015.Jon Kopaloff—Getty Images by [Jessica Goodman / Entertainment Weekly](/author/entertainment-weekly/) ## Jessica Goodman / Entertainment Weekly Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Aug 31, 2015 3:32 PM CUT The VMAs are no friend to the Parents Television Council, which has [slammed the MTV awards show in previous years](http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6221812/vmas-parents-television-council "undefined"). After Sunday’s broadcast the PTC released a statement accusing MTV of “perpetual blatant sexualization,” and chastised the network for host[Miley Cyrus’ discussion of marijuana](http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/30/vmas-2015-miley-cyrus-new-album "undefined") and her wardrobe malfunction, which occurred during a candid backstage moment. “MTV had an opportunity to use its powerful VMA platform to stir a young audience to aspire to something positive and uplifting. Instead they chose to perpetuate blatant sexualization – much of it self-inflicted by the artists – and to celebrate the use of illegal drugs,” PTC President Tim Winter said in a statement. “MTV rated the content of the program as appropriate for a child as young as 14, though most parents of teens that age would find such a content rating preposterous. In the end, the network succeeded in what it wanted to do: stir up controversy without regard to its impact on an entertainment environment that is increasingly toxic for children.” The statement continued: “Are we surprised that Miley Cyrus exposed herself to millions of viewers, and to more people who will inevitably see the news in the mainstream media? About as surprised as we’ll be if the sun rises in the east tomorrow morning. We had hoped she would have proven us wrong and demonstrate her considerable talent as a performer, rather than rely on her own sexuality to entertain the audience.” Cyrus was “exposed” [while changing backstage](http://mashable.com/2015/08/30/miley-cyrus-nip-slip-vmas/ "undefined"), partially hidden behind a curtain. The camera cut away, but not before Cyrus was heard saying, “Oh, what’s happening? Oh sorry, my tit’s out?” The Parents Television Council ended its statement, “MTV and Cyrus could both be forces for something positive, but tonight’s VMA partners relied on exposing millions of children to graphic, inappropriate and far-too-frequently offensive content.” _This_ [_article_](http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/31/vmas-2015-miley-cyrus-wardrobe-malfunction-ptc "undefined") _originally appeared on_ [_EW.com_](http://www.ew.com "undefined") _Read next:_ [_Miley Cyrus’ Surprise Album Is Bigger Than the VMAs_](http://time.com/4016502/vmas-2015-miley-cyrus-surprise-album/?iid=time%5Freadnext "undefined") [_Listen to the most important stories of the day_](http://time.com/newsletter/the-brief/autoplay/?xid=spl-fullbrief-article "undefined") ### See Celebrities on the Red Carpet at MTV's 2015 VMAs  Host Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—;Getty Images  Demi Lovato arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason MerrittGetty Images  Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images  From left: Models Gigi Hadid, Martha Hunt, actress Hailee Steinfeld, model Cara Delevingne, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, model Serayah, Mariska Hargitay, models Lily Aldridge and Karlie Kloss attend the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images  Rita Ora arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images  From left: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West arrive at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Kylie Jenner arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. John Shearer—Getty Images  Justin Bieber arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Britney Spears arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Tyga arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Nick Jonas arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  FKA twigs arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images  Vanessa Hudgens arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images  Austin Butler attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015, in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  From left: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  From left: Model Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams arrive at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Kourtney Kardashian arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images  Kris Jenner arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images  Bella Thorne arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images  Holland Roden arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Rebel Wilson arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Emily Ratajkowski arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Kelly Osbourne arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jordan Strauss—Invision/AP  Melissa Rivers arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images  Brooklyn Beckham arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Actress Brandi Cyrus, sister of host Miley Cyrus, attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images  Singer Tori Kelly arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. John Shearer—Getty Images  Maria Menounos arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images  Designer Jeremy Scott arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images  Miguel attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  From left: Blac Chyna and Amber Rose arrive at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Larry Busacca—Getty Images  Internet personality Baddie Winkle arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images  From left: Patrick Stump and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy arrive at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images  Kat Graham attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. John Shearer—Getty Images  Vance Joy attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. John Shearer—Getty Images ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4017225/vma-2015-miley-cyrus-mtv-ptc/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4017225/vma-2015-miley-cyrus-mtv-ptc/"},"headline":"Parents Television Council Criticizes MTV and Miley Cyrus for 'Offensive Content' at VMAs","datePublished":"2015-08-31T15:32:29.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T05:01:51.144Z","description":"Miley Cyrus openly discussed marijuana and accidentally \"exposed\" herself on air","url":"https://time.com/4017225/vma-2015-miley-cyrus-mtv-ptc/","keywords":["Television","celebrities","Miley Cyrus","MTV","VMAs 2015"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd4d1de5b06a3c8b6/698861a8524fc00961df44fe/miley-cyrus-vma-2015.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jessica Goodman / Entertainment Weekly"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd4d1de5b06a3c8b6/698861a8524fc00961df44fe/miley-cyrus-vma-2015.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Aug. 30, 2015.","caption":"Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Aug. 30, 2015.","creditText":"Jon Kopaloff—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/entertainment/","name":"Entertainment"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4017225/vma-2015-miley-cyrus-mtv-ptc/","name":"Parents Television Council Criticizes MTV and Miley Cyrus for 'Offensive Content' at VMAs"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"InStyle 2015 VMA Red Carpet","description":"InStyle 2015 VMA Red Carpet","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hdA2D44i/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2015-08-31T14:34:42.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/hdA2D44i.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4017225/vma-2015-miley-cyrus-mtv-ptc/","duration":"PT1M11S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4017225/vma-2015-miley-cyrus-mtv-ptc/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```