Miley Says "I'm Sorry"

Miley Cyrus issued a statement exclusively to People on Sunday, apologizing for a series of playfully provocative photos that circulated on the Internet last week, as well as those from a racy, as yet unreleased Vanity Fair photo shoot in which she appears to be nude.

The singer, 15, tells People: "My goal in my music and my acting is always to make people happy. For Vanity Fair, I was so honored and thrilled to work with Annie [Leibovitz]. 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."

A source close to the singer tells People that Cyrus is clothed but shown by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz in such a way that the teen appears to be topless.

In the photos that circulated on the Internet, Cyrus, her midriff exposed, is shown draped over the lap of her then-boyfriend, her producer's son. In another image, a hint of a green bra is evident.

Cyrus goes on to say: "The pictures of me on the Internet were silly, inappropriate shots. 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. I never intended for any of this to happen and I am truly sorry if I have disappointed anyone.

"Most of all," she says, "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."

In its own statement about the Vanity Fair story, the Disney Channel, which broadcasts Cyrus's series, Hannah Montana, said: "Unfortunately, as the article suggests, a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines."