New York - Speaking on the Today Show, Billy Ray Cyrus commented for the first time about the racy photo of his daughter, Miley Cyrus which appeared in Vanity Fair.
In the now famous photo (left) Cyrus 15, is shown partially nude in the, only covered by a dark sheet.
“I didn’t know they were going to strip her down and wrap her in a blanket,” Cyrus told Vieira.
He added, “I was surprised when I saw it, but hey, that’s life. Stuff happens. You gotta deal with it.”
The photo was shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, who has also done magazine covers of Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman and many other celebrities.
When asked why he didn’t stop the photo from being released, Cyrus, 46, said he was busy with other obligations.
“I didn’t have any choice,” he said. “I had a show to do, and an obligation, to go to Washington state … playing for the troops just back from Iraq.”
At the time, Miley Cyrus apologized for the photos, which she thought were supposed to be artistic.
“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,” Cyrus said. “I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about.”
Miley Cyrus is currently in Tennessee filming a big screen version of “Hannah Montana.”