Miley Cyrus Embarrassed By Racy Photos

Miley Cyrus has apologised for a reportedly racy Vanity Fair photo shoot in which she appears to be topless.

The 15-year-old star of Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus said she was embarrassed by the photos, taken by photographer Annie Leibovitz, in which she appears wrapped in only a blanket, the Associated Press reported.

The photos accompany an article on Cyrus and her father, country music star Billy Ray Cyrus.

“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 said in a statement.

“I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologise to my fans who I care so deeply about.”

The Disney Channel, which airs Hannah Montana, criticised Vanity Fair.

“Unfortunately, as the article suggests, a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines,” the network said.

Vanity Fair defended the photos to TV show Entertainment Tonight.

“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.”

Miley Cyrus is widely considered a wholesome role model for young girls.

Last week some playfully provocative photos of her began circulating on the internet.