Miley Cyrus has apologized for appearing in both personal and professional photos playing out her more seductive side, photographer Annie Leibovitz regrets the ‘misinterpretation” of her Vanity Fair portrait of the teen singer while Disney is adamant that its prized star was used…

Young pop sensation Miley Cyrus is in the midst of the first major scandal of her career. Inappropriate photographs leaked on the internet earlier this month to the great confusion and anger of parents of “Hannah Montana” fans, who want their children to look up to a wholesome Miley Cyrus, not a sexy Miley Cyrus.

The drop that tilted the glass was a photo shoot the 15-year-old singer did with famed photographer Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair, which includes a photo showing Miley’s bare back as she clutches a silk sheet to her chest. With tousled hair and a pouty look, the Disney star has the appeal of a Lolita.

This however appears to not have been the goal of the photo spread. While both Miley and Leibovitz were pleased to be working together, the former says she feels “embarrassed” with the final product, while the later is sorry to have the portrait “misinterpreted” by the public.

“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,” the young artist said in an exclusive statement for People on Sunday.

Miley also apologized for another series of photos, this time not made by a professional, which showed her cuddle with a boy or lift her shirt to show her belly or pull down a bit of her sleeve to show part of a green bra.

“The pictures of me on the Internet were silly, inappropriate shots,” Miley continued. “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.”

Miley Cyrus, born Destiny Hope Cyrus, started out with a squeaky-clean image as star of the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana,” which debuted in 2006. Her portrayal of Miley Stewart, a high school student who leads a double life as Hannah Montana, pop sensation, and subsequent projects related to the series, such as concerts and a movie, were always laced with good role-model material.

The Disney Channel is standing by the 15-year-old, accusing Vanity Fair of manipulating the girl in order to have a more appealing edition. “Unfortunately, as the article suggests, a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines,” a statement said, referring to Miley’s telling the reporter that the controversial bare-back photo was Leibovitz’ idea.

Annie Leibovitz’s photos (which include dad Billy Ray Cyrus) are now available on Vanity Fair’s website. The accompanying article suggests that Miley is in fact growing up and exploring the maturing young woman in her, as she slowly steps away “from under Hannah’s shadow.” She is also portrayed as a diligent, responsible artist who has a clear idea of the business industry and of what she wants to accomplish.

Vanity Fair has said of the photo: “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.”