More details are emerging about the way that Miley Cyrus was persuaded to pose backless and covered in a sheet for famed celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz in a series of photos to be published in the June issue of Vanity Fair, which is out tomorrow and features Robert F Kennedy on the cover. A spokesperson for the magazine claimed that Miley’s “parents and/or minders were on the set all day” and implied that they approved all the photos before they were published, but both Disney and Miley’s people claim that’s not how it happened.

Disney says Miley was manipulated; her dad says he wasn’t on the set at that point and didn’t see those photos
When the Disney Channel issued a statement that “a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines,” I assumed they were overstating their case in an attempt to do damage control, but new details make it seem as if that’s exactly what happened.

Miley’s reps say that her parents weren’t on the set at the time that the controversial backless photos were taken. Her grandmother and teacher were there and were convinced that it would be ok.

“Miley’s parents did leave the shoot and were not present for the final shot, nor did they see any digital images of the shot in question,” a Miley spokeswoman told The Post yesterday.

Her grandmother and her teacher were left to supervise, according to People magazine.

“Annie convinced them it was going to be artistic,” a source told People. “Her parents are mortified.”

[From The NY Post]

Leibovitz convinced Miley to take those photos after her parents left
Leibovitz explained how the photos came about, saying “Miley and I looked at fashion photographs together, and we discussed the picture in that context before we shot it. The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful.”

In the article accompanying the pictures, Miley says that it was hard to refuse the photographer’s request. She called the photo “really artsy,” but not “in a skanky way,” and said “You can’t say no to Annie. She’s so cute. She gets this puppy-dog look, and you’re like, OK.” [NY Post]

Given the news that Miley’s parents had left at that point, you can’t help but think that Liebovitz knew exactly what she was doing. I personally don’t find the photos all that revealing or sexy, but Miley’s target audience are young kids and a lot of people say she’s sending the wrong message with those pictures. Her whole image as a wholesome Christian teen star is threatened by this mini-scandal, and rumor has it that Disney plans to keep her out of the spotlight for a while until the story dies down. Meanwhile Miley’s dad Billy Ray is said to be “furious” that the photos were taken and never shown to him or his wife before they were published. He is said to have left early on the day of the shoot due to “a prior commitment.”

Here’s a behind the scenes video from Vanity Fair’s website:

In Tuesday’s new issue of Vanity Fair, famed photographer Annie Leibowitz captures a photo shoot of some of entertainment’s funny women dressed as Hollywood’s most troubled starlets. The shoot is part of a story in VF about the rise of female comedians like Tina Fey and Sarah Silverman.

The ladies channel pop tarts for the photog (it’s doubtless Amy Winehouse ever got a laugh for political parody). Sarah does her best Amy, complete with pinup-girl tattoos, The Office sweetheart Jenna Fischer goes Lindsay Lohan (center) and Wanda Sykes gets nasty as Lil Kim (right).

“There is no question that there are a million more funny women than there used to be,” writer Nora Ephron says of the featured femmes, also including E!’s Chelsea Handler (second from left) and Sandra Bernhard (left).

Alessandra Stanley’s cover story explores the recent inundation of female-driven comedy that, while capturing mass audiences (good move on f***ing Matt Damon, Sarah), relies heavily on sex appeal.

30 Rock creator Tina thinks you can thank Jennifer Aniston for that.

“In the ’90s, it seemed like every person on a sitcom — think of the cast of Friends —was just really foxy,” Tina says.

Joan Rivers echoes the sentiments.

“Nowadays, you can’t even get on open mike with less than a C cup,” the Botoxed comedy vet said.

The issue, C cups and all, hits newsstands nationwide next Tuesday.

[From Page Six]

Jenna Fischer, who plays Pam on “The Office,” says the idea of playing Lindsay Lohan in a photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz was such a source of stress and excitement, she had trouble sleeping the night before the shoot.

Turns out Jenna, 33, was more concerned with impressing the legendary photographer shooting her than with La Lohan.

“I couldn’t sleep the night before the shoot because I was so nervous to be shot by Annie Leibovitz. As a result I would sit and stare off into space when she was focusing on the other girls,” Jenna tells PageSix.com.

And about Lindsay?

“Then all of a sudden I’d hear Annie say, ‘That’s perfect, Jenna!’ and she’d be clicking away,” the actress says. “I guess for me, channeling Lindsay meant not getting enough sleep.”

[From Page Six]

I think it’s great that female comic actors are getting some much deserved attention, but it is ironic that the girls they’re lampooning in the shoot get more attention for their drug-addled, cooch-flashing antics, though. Tina Fey has more talent in her pinky finger than Blohan, Paris and Britney put together, if you ask me.

Pictures from Vanity Fair via ONTD.

Annie Leibovitz has shot another series of celebrity advertisements for the Disney Parks. Her last set of images drew praise for the creative way it brought Disney fantasy to life. Scarlet Johansson was Cinderella fleeing the ball in a flowing gown, David Beckham was Prince Phillip on his bucking steed, and Beyonce, Lyle Lovett and Oliver Pratt were Alice, the Mad Hatter and the The March Hare sitting on the famed teacups.

The latest photos are equally impressive. Rachel Weisz is a lovely Snow White in congress with the birds and animals, Julie Andrews and Abigail Breslin are fairies, and tennis great Roger Federer is King Arthur removing the sword from the stone.

My son hasn’t gone to Disney World yet, but if grandma has her way he will soon. It’s a fun, extremely well-crafted amusement park, but it’s still a pain in the ass dragging your kid around for an entire day, waiting in line, and walking everywhere. You can put celebrities in perfect costumes and add wind and props and it does evoke a feeling of other-worldliness and relaxation. These photos are beautiful, but if I want a fantasy experience I know I should be going to the spa, not to an amusement park with my family.

Here are the latest advertisements, which will run in US magazines in December. Rachel Weisz and Roger Federer are also shown on set. Thanks to The Daily Mail via ONTD for these photos.