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

After spotting a fan holding a placard which read, ‘I’m praying for you’, Miley told the crowd, "I can’t be more appreciative of that." Meanwhile, Justin Timberlake has defended Miley’s decision to pose for the provocative shoot.

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

She said, "I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be ‘artistic’ and now, I feel so embarrassed. I apologise to my fans who I care so deeply about."