SCREEN
BY CARRIE LYELL AND DANIELLE MUSTARDE
Pick of the Month
BLACK MIRROR: RACHEL, JACK AND ASHLEY TOO
Created by Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones
It’s the episode that stars Miley Cyrus as the candy flosshafired, teen pop icon Ashley O. In it, Ashley is pushed by her overbearing aunt-come-manager to perform mindless, sugar-coated pop when, behind closed doors, she yearns to create music with depth and emotion. Rather ironically, the episode’s intention to critique the “churn it out” side of the music industry and the depthless processes behind it has created a one-off hit for the fictional Ashley O and single On A Roll, which has been viewed over 12 million times on YouTube. Blurring the lines between fact and fiction further, Cyrus also performed as Ashley O at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Perhaps expectedly, comparisons have been drawn to Cyrus’ own music career, which began with her as “smiley, pop princess” and has evolved into something much more raw and dark. Watch and make up your own mind.