One of my friends sent me this funny video knowing that I’d appreciate it, given my embarrassing love of music by teen stars like Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, and Selena Gomez.

I’ve been feeling ambivalent about how Disney “engineers” teen stars.  Lately, I’ve been having trouble watching “Hannah Montana” or listening to Selena Gomez and not feeling guilty about participating in these teen girls being turned into brands and sort of, dare I say, exploited by Disney?  I used to joke about my immature taste in music being innocuous, but I personally think the Vanity Fair photoshoot with Miley Cyrus over the summer was a pretty creepy situation (it really seemed like it boiled down to adults who should know better than to take advantage of a girl too young to be able to spot when people are going to use her to sell magazines) and we’ve seen what has happened to Lindsay Lohan, probably the oldest of the actors who were Disney stars during my lifetime.

What’s your take? Do you think Disney interacts with its young stars in an ethical way, or is there a conversation to be had here about how Disney can promote teen stars without commanding their identities? (again, exhibit a: Lindsay Lohan)

For irony’s sake, check out my new favorite song by Demi Lovato: