I’m irritated again.

Not because of “Dancing with the Stars” or over the price of arugula going up; it’s Miley Cyrus this time. The 15-year-old Cyrus offspring is exploring her womanhood, getting to know what angles to use in nude shoots and warding off invasive paparazzi. I hope Papa Billy Ray gave her the crash course in media maneuvering, because Miley’s going to need it.

Leave her alone! Please, don’t make me channel Chris Crocker. Everybody goes through the whole “Wow, I have a body” realization in their teenage years. Just because Miley looks a little ... um, tired in her Vanity Fair photo shoot doesn’t mean she wants to be Lindsaynicoleparisbritney.

First, the racy photos of her circulated online. She was no secret of Victoria’s, but her bra and underwear were shown. So what? If that’s the worst thing she’s going to do, we should put her on a pedestal next to Hilary Duff. At least she was wearing underwear and didn’t decide to emulate Britney Spears in her later years.

The Vanity Fair photo shoot seems to be the latest cause of Hollywood jaw-dropping. During the session with Annie Leibovitz, Miley was photographed cuddled in what looked like a single bed sheet. Leibovitz isn’t exactly Larry Flynt, kids. Vanity Fair is one of the most respected magazines in the world. It’s a good mix of political, feature and culture stories. I have yet to read a story in bad taste.

Miley is plunging into a media arena that sometimes the pros can’t successfully navigate. She’s apologized numerous times to her fans if she offended them with her photos in any way.

It’s unrealistic to assume teenagers will stay wholesome until they reach 18. If a teen wants to explore, or simply act out, the blinders won’t come off the first minute of their 18th birthday. Like all normal kids, it’ll be a progression. Besides, I hope for her sake that at some point she’ll relinquish the “Hannah Montana” reins and do some work that makes sense. Seriously, how much merchandise can be manufactured from one personality? It’s baffling.

Whatever. I’m too old for this.

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