Hannah Montana Concert Winner Lied in Essay Describing Father's Death in Iraq

Associated Press ^ | 12/29/07 | Associated Press

[DFG]

GARLAND, Texas — An essay that won a 6-year-old girl four tickets to a Hannah Montana concert began with the powerful line: "My daddy died this year in Iraq."

While gripping, it was not true — and now the girl may lose her tickets after her mom acknowledged to contest organizers it was all a lie.

[HungarianGypsy]

So is High School Musical and any of the Disney venue. Parents have the choice on whether to buy the products or not. I said my daughter likes Hannah Montana, but *gasp* she doesn't own anything that's related to it. She just likes to watch the show an listen to her on Radio Disney. Although, if I had been hired to my current job a month earlier (ushering at a theatre), I am sure my daughter would have been asking if com tickets were available. :D

[LoneBugle]

If the girl was older I’d let her keep the tickets and even invite her up on the stage during the concert. Once she’s on the stage give her a mic and ask her to tell everyone why she lied about her father's death. I suppose she’d need to be 10(?) for that to be appropriate, though.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I agree, what were the rules for the essay?

Was fiction allowed or was it a non-fiction essay contest?

Would be interesting to read the original rules.

[Exit148]

6 year olds should go back to being 6 year olds. When does childhood end, now-a-days? There’s plenty of time ahead for this fluff — IMMHO.

[davisfh]

"As for your 8 year old son, he needs to turn off the boob tube and go play outside."

The six-year-old son of an extended family member (happily very extended) is permitted to wear a Hanna Montana wig and has a collection of dolls to play with. I had the unhappy experience of observing this during the Christmas season.

I privately inquired about this to other family members and was told that the child's father has attempted to end this activity and that the mother becomes enraged when he intervenes. I am in my upper senior years and will probably not live to see how this plays out. I'm no prophet, but I believe that I know the outcome.

[TightyRighty]

Ah, the things we do for our kids! I'm one of those parents that shelled out $250 for four Hannah Montana concert tickets. I would have gladly paid $200 more. The show was clean, the music was pretty good for bubble gum pop and my girls had a blast.

The Hannah Montana craze is as stupid as any craze out there is. As for good parents monitoring what they watch - what exactly have you seen on her television show that needs monitoring? It's the cleanest show I've seen on t.v.

Now, stop playing the parent police because it's sounds to me like you need to loosen up a bit and let your kids (if you have any) have some fun.

[G Larry]

Oh...I’m sure THAT rule was strictly followed!/sarc

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

“may”

[panthermom]

Because YOU think Hannah Montana is garbage all the rest of us are bad parents because we don’t make a big deal over it? It’s a kids show, geared towards kids.

My youngest son (11) loves Miami Ink, according to your logic, he has must be as dumb as a stump and I need to be in jail for child abuse.

[bennowens]

At the age of twelve, Miley beat out over a thousand other girls for the Hannah spot. She is quite a performer, and learned how to be that way by touring many years with her father. Go Miley!

[lilycicero]

How about giving the mom a limo ride with a family on the day they are to bury their husband/father/son from Iraq?

Then tell her to have fun at the concert.

[em2vn]

Hanna Montana is a fine show for little girls. What is your problem with it?
Do you drive a vehicle that carries a sign announcing that your 10 year old is smart and doesn’t watch Hanna Montana—somewhat like the stick on decals giving a child’s name and declaring he is number 1.

[dennisw]

Fortunately this girl is only 6 so she won’t be traumatized by having the tickets revoked.But her mother will be greatly embarrassed.I think. Or maybe she’ll dig the notoriety AKA 15 minutes of fame

[horse_doc]

Good parents monitor what their kids watch on TV. Hannah Montana is garbage.

I've watched Hannah Montana with daughters 6 and 8. They have a few of her CD's, and think that she's great.

Both girls can also swim 200 yards freestyle, and ride 10 miles with me on their bikes. They both took Latin this summer, as well.

Liking bubblegum rock isn't a crime, it doesn't make them fat, it doesn't make them stupid, and it isn't the end of Western Civilization.

[AD from SpringBay]

I doubt the little girl had that brain-storm all alone.

That's what I was thinking. Shame on the person who put that thought into her head - lie to get what you want and it's ok. That's a nice life lesson to give a six-year old.

[org.whodat]

Six year olds do not write “essays”. Methinks it was the Mom who lied.

Fox news showed the paper, it was not written by a six year old.

[RGSpincich]

Guess they’ll be adding a new verse to the song “War” and what it is good for.

[porter_knorr]

I don’t think any “celebrity” teen is really a role model. Fact is, her show shows consequences to poor choices. Shows a strong father figure who really loves his kids, etc.

She has stated publicly her choice to wait for marriage for sex. I think in light of what else is out there, she’s a good one for little girls to think “is cool”

And from what I have seen of her, she dresses fairly modestly.
She’s absolutely a teenager *shudder* but she seems like her parents are keeping her fairly on the straight and narrow.

[Mears]

I’m old.

My generation’s parents thought our adoration of Frank Sinatra was ridiculous.

Lighten up and don’t be so judgemental.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

Wasn’t anyone else struck by the fact that there was better fact checking by reporters on a Hannah Montana ticket contest than 90% of the stories spread by our enemies or the DNC?