WWW- Miley Cyrus, the 15-year-old star of “Hannah Montana,” said she is “embarrassed” by a provocative photo spread shot by famed photographer Annie Liebovitz that is appearing in the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair.
“I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be ‘artistic’ and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed,” she said in a statement released today. “I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about.”
Cyrus, the daughter of country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, is the singing and acting sensation known to her legions of teenage fans from the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.”
In one of the photos, Cyrus is shown from the side, with most of her back bare, clutching what appears to be a satin sheet loosely around herself.
The Disney Channel, after learning of the Vanity Fair photo spread and article also issued a statement critical of the magazine.
“Unfortunately, as the article suggests, a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines,” the statement said.
Cyrus also recently apologized for a series of personal photos that circulated on the Internet last week in which she bared her midriff and her bra.
“The pictures of me on the Internet were silly, inappropriate shots. I appreciate all the support of my fans, and hope they understand that along the way I am going to make mistakes and I am not perfect,” she said in a statement to People.
Cyrus is known for her good-girl image. In 2007, she told USA Today that her Christian faith is “the main thing” and what helps her stay grounded in Hollywood. She also told ABC News’ “20/20” that she faces the same pressures and temptations as less-than-wholesome stars like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.
“People will say, ‘Well, you’re only 14. You’re not getting the same pressures as them,'” she said. “It’s like … ‘Yes, I am.’ It’s because, you know, this life that I lead is pretty crazy. It’s just about, you know, having value and having pride in yourself.”