Justin Timberlake has defended Miley Cyrus's controversial decision to pose provocatively in her recent Vanity Fair photo shoot.

"Of course they're going to pick on a wholesome young female American at the first sign of anything. It's the way the world is. I'm going to make 'Leave Miley Alone' T-shirts," he recently said.

Meanwhile, the 15-year-old singer - who appears in the current issue of the US magazine draped in nothing but a sheet - has thanked her fans for their support over the Vanity Fair photo scandal. She praised everyone who has stuck by her during a Disney Channel Games concert in Florida at the weekend.

After seeing a fan holding a placard that read 'I'm praying for you', Miley told the crowd: "I can't be more appreciative of that."

Last week, Miley issued a statement apologising for the controversial pictures, which were taken by world famous photographer Annie Leibovitz.

She said: "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. I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologise to my fans who I care so deeply about."

Source: Bang Showbiz (Photo: Vanity Fair by Annie Leibovitz)

May 7 2008