Talented Miley Cyrus caught between girly and all grown-up

They sure grow up quick, don't they?
Less than two years ago, Miley Cyrus appeared at the Oracle Arena in Oakland and played the part of her Disney Channel alter-ego Hannah Montana. She smiled as she bounced about the stage, singing happy tunes that delighted pigtailed little girls and comforted their minivan-driving chauffeurs (aka parents).

In that role, Miley (the daughter of country star Billy Ray Cyrus) wasn't threatening in the slightest. Her function seemed simply to provide a much-needed stepping stone between Raffi, the Wiggles and other children's music favorites to young-teen idols such as Gwen Stefani and Britney Spears.

Now, however, little Miss Cyrus wants to join that latter group.

On her current "Wonder World Tour" — the first not to advertise the Hannah Montana name — the 16-year-old brunette has tossed aside her Disney character's blonde wig, as well as most of her teeny-bopper charm, to further establish her own star. Compared with what we've seen in the past — including the 2007-08 "Best of Both Worlds Tour," which was billed to both Montana and Cyrus — this trek is a decidedly more mature affair.

The result, at least at the gate, has been more of the same for Cyrus. She drew a capacity crowd of screaming young girls and earplug-wearing parents to the Oracle Arena on Friday night. A similar scene awaits the pop princess when she performs tonight at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.
source: http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_13377752