Miley Cyrus apologises for last photo scandal - and the next one

Miley Cyrus has apologised for last week’s photo “scandal” - and the one that’s set to kick off this week.

Last week photos circulated on the internet of the Hannah Montana star exposing her bra and draping herself across her one-time boyfriend.

She told People magazine: “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.”

But while those were candid personal snaps made public, she’s apologised in advance for being involved in a semi-nude photo shoot with renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair.

The as-yet-unpublished photos included images seeming showing the 15 year old topless, with her bare back on display and a blanket pulled to her chest.

Miley explained: “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 added: “For Vanity Fair, I was so honored and thrilled to work with Annie [Leibovitz]. “You can’t say no to Annie. She’s so cute. She gets this puppy-dog look, and you’re like, OK.”

“[But] I never intended for any of this to happen, and I apologize to my fans, who I care so deeply about. My goal in my music and my acting is always to make people happy”

A source at the Disney Channel, which broadcasts Miley’s hit show, told Entertainment Tonight: “Unfortunately, … a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines.”

But Vanity Fair has defended the pictures, saying: “Miley’s parents and/or minders were on the set all day.”

“Since the photo was taken digitally, they saw it on the shoot, and everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley.”

“[Interviewer Bruce Handy also] asked [Miley] about the photo and she was very cheerful about it and thought it was perfectly fine.”

• See the Fametastic Blog for our thoughts on this story