Billy Ray Cyrus has defended daughter Miley's pole-dancing at the recent Teen Choice Awards.

The 16-year-old singer-and-actress caused controversy with her provocative performance at the annual event but the 'Achy Breaky Heart' singer insists there was nothing wrong with it.

He said: "You know what? I just think that Miley loves entertaining people. She loves singing and songwriting."

While many critics claim Miley is too young to be so sexually provocative - especially as her fan base is mainly impressionable girls - Billy encourages his daughter to ignore the negative comments.

He told US TV show 'Access Hollywood': "I always tell her to love what you're doing and stay focused for the love of the art and not worry so much about opinion."

During her performance of her song 'Party in the USA', Miley was pushed up onto an ice-cream cart by her backing dancers, before crouching and gyrating next to a metal pole attached to the top of the cart.

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/billy-ray-cyrus-proud-of-poledancing-miley_1113569

It took me a while to find this on Youtube, but I finally did. I can't stand her anyway, but honestly her "pole dance" wasn't that bad. I mean, yes, it was a little provocative for her Disney fans and I'm surprised that it was even allowed, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated it to be. It only lasted a few seconds, and the worst part was when she kind of slithered down the pole, bending her legs. After that, she basically got off and resumed dancing on the stage with the other dancers.

I'm not defending her by any means. As I said, it shocked me that they would allow this, even if it was only about 15 seconds long. My best friend has a five year old daughter who loves Hannah Montana and I doubt that she would want her daughter to watch Miley's performance on the Teen Awards show. Really this just gives me another reason to loathe Miley. I'm sure they knew what would be implied by including this little "ice cream stand pole dance" in the routine. She is wearing very short shorts-leather at that, and leather boots, so it's no wonder that there is an uproar.

Sadly, despite her dad's best efforts to support her, I'm afraid she's headed down the same road as Lindsay Lohan, although hopefully not that bad.

Did this girl learn NOTHING from those photo controversies?? :confused:

Did this girl learn NOTHING from those photo controversies?? :confused:
Obviously she didn't! And apparently neither did her Dad! :eek::rolleyes:

I'm sick of the marketing of sex to children, especially girls. It's no wonder we have all these weirdos around preying on young girls. Miley, her father, and whoever allowed this to air should all be ashamed of themselves! I thought Miley was a good role model at first, but like Andrea, I fear she's headed down a dangerous path and sending the wrong message to tween and teen girls.

I'm sick of the marketing of sex to children, especially girls. It's no wonder we have all these weirdos around preying on young girls. Miley, her father, and whoever allowed this to air should all be ashamed of themselves! I thought Miley was a good role model at first, but like Andrea, I fear she's headed down a dangerous path and sending the wrong message to tween and teen girls.

Yeah, she does. ohno:

She's only 16!

My best friend's daughter loves Hannah Montana and my friend is pretty open-minded, but I bet she wouldn't want her daughter to see this disgusting display of "non-talent". I think it's really just Hannah Montana that her daughter likes. She's very young, just entering kindergarten this year.

I don't think it is a big issue. Actually miley loves his fans. And she respects their affection toward her. When ever she performs on the stage, she tries to give their best just for the sake of audience's love.

I saw that clip of her doing that pole dance on "The Soup". I then saw the close up of her father clapping then the show's focus went back to Joel McHale (The Host) and he said something to the effect of "Hmm...Billy Ray could be pulling a John Phillips". LOL. That was messed up.