Teen star Miley Cyrus has admitted embarrassment over her recent picture scandal. The 15-year-old actress/singer has issued an apology for her provocative shots that rounded on the Internet last week.
Cyrus tells People magazine in an exclusive statement:
"My goal in my music and my acting is always to make people happy. For Vanity Fair, I was honored and thrilled to work with Annie [Leibovitz]. 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."
In the photos, the sold-out concert performer can be seen with her midriff exposed while lying on the lap of her then-boyfriend. In another shot, she can be seen with a white tank top on, but deliberately showing off her bright green bra.
Cyrus continues, "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. I never intended for any of this to happen and I am truly sorry if I have disappointed anyone."
"Most of all, I have let myself down. I will learn from my mistakes and trust my support team. My family and my faith will guide me through my life's journey."
Meanwhile, Disney Channel has also issued its own statement regarding the photos saying, "Unfortunately, as the article suggests, a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines."
A source close to the star describes to People magazine how excited Cyrus was at working with the photographer during the shoot. "Her parents were there all day. [Father] Billy Ray shot, too."
The insider also says that although her parents left before the final shot, her grandmother and teacher were still there. She was made to look topless although she was actually fully clothed.
The source continues, "Annie convinced them it was going to be artistic. Her parents are mortified. They know this is a learning moment for Miley."
"The photo suggests that she is [naked], but she is not. She is covered by a sheet, and beneath the sheet she is clothed. Originally, she was in a flesh-colored tank top but was asked to remove it."
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