The Disney Channel stands by its “Hannah Montana” superstar, 15-year-old Miley Cyrus, in the midst of this unfortunate scandal, arguing that certain typical aspects of a teenager’s life can be exacerbated by the media when the teen in question is a star.

Miley Cyrus’ photo shoot for Vanity Fair has blown up into an unfortunate controversy over the image the 15-year-old is presenting to her very young and presumably impressionable fans. Previously leaked photos of Miley baring a bit of skin or cuddling with a boy fueled the scandal as well.

Yet the Disney Channel apparently has nothing to reproach its star. A statement released after the emergence of a particular Vanity Fair photo, taken by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz and showing much of Miley’s bare back as she clutched a silk sheet to her chest, accused the fashion magazine of using a young girl for financial gain.

Before the VF element entered the formula, and after the homemade photos had leaked, Gary Marsh, Disney Channel entertainment president, told the Los Angeles Times that being a famous teenager like Miley was bound to turn every little more or less mundane situation into a media event.

"Being the most famous 15-year-old in the world is exciting but fraught with challenges and exceptional responsibility," Marsh told the paper.

While the debate continues, Miley is certainly not hiding inside her house, cringing with shame. The talented young singer/actress will perform Saturday, May 3, at the 2008 Disney Channel Games, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, report People.com.

Her performance will be televised in July, along with appearances from the Jonas Brothers, The Cheetah Girls, Demi Lovato and Jordan Pruitt.

Miley will also begin filming the Hannah Montana movie next week in Nashville. E! News adds that the teen star is scheduled to perform on May 10 at KIIS-FM's annual Wango Tango concert in Orange County.

Disney spokeswoman Brenda Kelly Grant told E! News that "nothing has changed on our production."

People.com also has a good forecast for Miley’s future, quoting industry experts who are certain she will weather the controversy well. "The audience is going to let this one go," Jerry Del Colliano, a music industry professor at the University of Southern California, told the magazine. "The parents are going to forgive and the kids are going to love her just as much."