The Male Gaze - Case Studies

1. The Male Gaze
Case Studies:
-Miley Cyrus
- Katy Perry

2. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
We see a pure and innocent Miley in the opening shots. Her lips are covered in red
lipstick – the focus on the lips is immediately sexualising Miley, they are also typically
associated with femininity. These establishing shots aim to make Miley look attractive,
thus relating to the male gaze. Miley Cyrus is also looking straight into the camera
making the video feel more intense and personal.

3. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
Miley’s association with the hammer makes her seem submissive to men – hammers and
building equipment are often associated with building work (a male dominated industry). This
clashes with the fact that Miley is “showing her femininity” by not wearing many clothes, the
red lipstick, etc… At the same time, the association to the hammer suggests the empowerment
of women, the idea of “taking over from men”.

4. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
Licking the hammer suggests the sexual acts that Miley could do to the audience (being
signified by the hammer). There are strong sexual connotations and it seems that Miley is
trying to pleasure her audience – once again being submissive. The display of the heart
tattoo on her finger and focus on her red lips show the contrast between her past as fun-
teen pop star and present as a sex icon.

5. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
The shots of Miley riding the ‘wrecking ball’ are both sexual and empowering. Firstly, the
sexual poses riding on top of the ball implies that she is the subject of sexual desire,
pleasing the male gaze. She wears little to no clothing which is both erotic and
controlling. Once again, this comments on both the feministic elements of the music
video as well as sexual deviations of Miley.

6. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
Showing Miley naked is both an act of freedom and one of sexuality. Miley is putting herself on
the line completely, liberating herself, and is letting the audience think what they want of her. It
suggests that she “doesn’t care anymore” and wants to show everyone her full self. At the
same time, the fact that she is wearing no clothes is entirely sexual and suggests that she is
falling into the demands of her audience.

7. Katy Perry – California Gurls
Whilst the opening shot of Snoop Dogg doesn’t entirely relate to male gaze – it
does relate to the idea of Katy Perry being submissive to a higher, more powerful
male being. In this case, Snoop Dogg takes the role by opening the music video
sitting on a crown.

8. Katy Perry – California Gurls
This shot of Katy Perry licking the ice cream highlights both Katy Perry’s innocence as well as
her sexual deviance. Highlighting Katy Perry’s innocence (through the blusher on her cheeks)
brings a youthfulness which will be attractive to the average heterosexual male viewer.
Similarly, the action of ‘licking the ice cream’ will appeal to a similar sense.

10. Katy Perry – California Gurls
Similar to Miley, there are several shots in this video which show Katy Perry naked. Once
again, this promotes the ‘shock factor’, but it also appeals to the erotic gaze which is strongly
linked to the male gaze. Similar to Miley, Katy is putting herself on the line completely,
liberating herself – but it is also an entirely sexual act.