Miley Cyrus, star of Disney's Hannah Montana, has apologised over photos of the teen star which are due to be published in Vanity Fair magazine.
Cyrus, 15-year-old daughter of singer Billy Ray, said she was embarrassed by the Annie Leibovitz photos.
"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 apologise to my fans who I care so deeply about," she said in a statement.
In the images Cyrus, who said she was "thrilled" to work with celebrity photographer Leobovitz, appears wrapped in a blanket, apparently topless.
'Manipulation'
The Disney Channel, which airs hit show Hannah Montana, accused the magazine of trying to manipulate the young star.
"A situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines," said a statement released by Disney.
But in a statement to US TV show Entertainment Tonight, Vanity Fair defended itself.
"Miley's parents and/or minders were on the set all day," it said.
"Since the photo was taken digitally, they saw it on the shoot and everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley."
Cyrus has also apologised over a second set of photos currently circulating on the internet.
"Most of all, I have let myself down"
The images show Cyrus draped over the lap of a former boyfriend, while another shows her revealing part of a green bra.
"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," she said.
"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."
The Disney show sees Cyrus playing a girl who leads a double life as a teenager and a pop star. A film version, Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds, topped the US box office in February.
Leibovitz is best-known for her images of a naked John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, and the 1991 shot of then-pregnant actress Demi Moore.
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