Miley Cyrus: I was being goofy not racist in photo

Miley Cyrus has denied that she was being racist in a recent photograph.

In the picture, which emerged this week, the Hannah Montana star, boyfriend Justin Gaston and other friends are shown pulling their eyes and squinting as they pose with an Asian-American friend.

Earlier in the week, advocacy group OCA said that the picture “encouraged and legitimized the taunting and mocking of people of Asian descent, [and] she has also insulted her many Asian Pacific American fans.”

But writing on her blog, Miley explained yesterday: “I’ve also been told there are some people upset about some pictures taken of me with friends making goofy faces! Well, I’m sorry if those people looked at those pics and took them wrong (sic) and out of context!

“In No way was I making fun of any ethnicity! I was simply making a goofy face. When did that become newsworthy?

“It seems someone is trying to make something out of nothing to me. If that would of (sic) been anyone else, it would of been overlooked! I definitely feel like the press is trying to make me out as the new ‘Bad Girl’!

“I feel like now that Britney [Spears] is back on top of her game again, they need someone to pick on! Lucky me!

“I really wish everyone would stop focusing on my personal life and get back to focusing on what I love! Music and acting!”

Despite her short time in the public eye, Miley has been involved in a number of photo controversies from provocatively posing with a female friend in a hotel room, showing off her bra while laid across a delighted teenage boy and most notably, a semi-naked photoshoot with photographer Annie Lebowitz for Vanity Fair last year.