HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Miley Cyrus has denied having any racist intentions after a controversial photo sparked outrage with some members of the Asian community.
In the photo, which surfaced earlier this week, the "Hannah Montana" star is seen pulling the corners of her eyes and squinting as she plays along with her friends.
"There are some people upset about some pictures taken of me with friends making goofy faces! Well, I'm sorry if those people looked at those pics and took them wrong and out of context!" explained Cyrus on her official Web site. "In NO way was I making fun of any ethnicity! I was simply making a goofy face.
"When did that become newsworthy? It seems someone is trying to make something out of nothing to me."
Shortly after the photo surfaced, the OCA, a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States, issued a statement slamming the Disney star and her friends.
"Not only has Miley Cyrus and the other individuals in the photograph encouraged and legitimized the taunting and mocking of people of Asian descent, she has also insulted her many Asian Pacific American fans," said George Wu, executive director of OCA. "The inclusion of an Asian Pacific American individual in the photo does not make it acceptable."
"OCA hopes that Miley Cyrus will apologize to her fans and the APA community for this lapse in judgment and takes the opportunity to better understand why the gesture is offensive."
Cyrus, however, stopped short of issuing an apology, instead questioning whether she's become the newest celebrity target for the media.
"I definitely feel like the press is trying to make me out as the new 'BAD GIRL!' " she wrote. "I feel like now that Britney [Spears] is back on top of her game again, they need someone to pick on! Lucky me!"
Cyrus also faced a public outcry last year following a controversial photo shoot for Vanity Fair, in which she appeared to pose topless. She later apologized to her fans for the nearly nude shoot, but said this situation is different.
"In NO WAY do I want to disappoint any of you!" Cyrus tells her fans. "But, when I have made mistakes in the past, I feel like I've owned up to them and apologized."
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