May 02, 2008

Miley Cyrus, On For Disney Games This Weekend, Makes First Public Appearance Since Scandal

By Chris Harris (MTV.com)

The massive media coverage of her controversial photo spread for Vanity Fair's June issue isn't keeping Miley Cyrus from leaving the house.

People.com reported Wednesday that the actress/singer will indeed be performing at Saturday's 2008 Disney Channel Games, which caps a weeklong charity event that's being held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The performance won't air until July - when Cyrus' next LP is due - and will also feature the Jonas Brothers, the Cheetah Girls and others.

While she's still on for her performance, a Disney rep confirmed to TMZ on Thursday (May 1) that Cyrus won't appear at Friday's red carpet arrivals, presumably to avoid the inevitable photo-scandal questions.

Also, according to UsMagazine.com, Cyrus made her first public appearance on Wednesday, stopping by a Target store in Nashville, Tennessee. The 15-year-old Cyrus, the site reports, has been spending much of the week in Nashville, where she has a home, working on preproduction for the next "Hannah Montana" flick. When asked how she's holding up, she reportedly replied, "Good, thank you," but declined to discuss the photos.

However, plenty of other people have been discussing them, including Hilary Duff, Nick Cannon, "The Hills" stars, the Jonas Brothers, media types speculating on their effect on her career and lots of fans and parents.

Over the weekend, Cyrus issued a statement apologizing for both the controversial, private photos - depicting the pop star in her underwear - that hit the Web earlier this month, as well as those she'd taken for Vanity Fair. Cyrus' statement expressed embarrassment over the pictures.

"The pictures of me on the Internet were silly, inappropriate shots," she said. "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, 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."