Justin Timberlake Defends Miley Cyrus's VMAs Performance
"Let her do her thing" says the pop superstar
Justin Timberlake has defended Miley Cyrus’s controversial MTV Video Music Awards performance on Sunday night.
20-year-old Miley’s routine with Robin Thicke at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York saw her gyrate suggestively in a nude bikini while sticking out her tongue.
The performance sparked a media firestorm and even saw US lobby group The Parents Television Council (PTC) lodge a damning complaint saying the routine was unsuitable for under 14-year-olds.
!Despite the huge backlash, fellow VMAs performer Justin Timberlake says such shocking spectacles are a norm for MTV awards ceremonies.
"It's the VMAs, what did you guys expect?... This is not an uncommon thing," Justin told US radio station Fresh 102.7.
He continued: "I like Miley. I like her a lot. I think, you know, she's young. She's letting everyone know that she's growing up. I just think it's the VMAs. It's not like she did it at the Grammys. Let her do her thing. You know?"
Justin joked that his personal highlight of the performance was undoubtedly the agape reaction from Will Smith’s family.
"My favourite part of the Miley Cyrus performance is the Smith family reaction," Justin added. "I was late to the game on that. I was just shown that this morning, so it was fresh in my mind."
Justin performed a medley of his greatest hits at the ceremony before being joined by his former globe-conquering boyband for three hits – ‘Gone’, ‘Girlfriend’ and ‘Bye Bye Bye’.
JT also scooped four gongs on the night – Video of the Year and Best Editing for ‘Mirrors’, Best Direction for his Jay-Z collaboration ‘Suit & Tie’ and the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
CLICK HERE to see 22 amazing photos of the MTV Video Music Awards 2013.
Photo credits: MTV/Getty