The Miley Cyrus/Vanity Fair pictures have been misinterpreted, according to the photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Miley has said she felt “so embarrassed” after the pictures, which show her naked back and suggest she’s topless, were released over the weekend and the Disney Channel, who make Miley’s show Hannah Montana, said they believe “a situation was created deliberately manipulate” the 15 year old.

But renowned photographer Leibovitz insists that she discussed the idea with the young star ahead of the shoot: “I’m sorry that my portrait of Miley has been misinterpreted.”

“Miley and I looked at fashion photographs together and we discussed the picture in that context before we shot it.”

“The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little make-up and I think it is very beautiful.”

The photo series, with an accompanying interview, will be published in the magazine’s June issue, released on Thursday.

Miley Cyrus's Vanity Fair photos:
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