Washington, May 6 (ANI): Pop star Justin Timberlake feels sorry about 15-year-old actress Miley Cyrus, who was compelled to apologise to her native U.S. after the publication of her controversial photographs in Vanity Fair magazine recently.

He also accused the media of deliberately targeting teen stars in an attempt to create scandal around them.

He said that the practice that has been prevalent for a long time is just not right.

“Of course they’re going to pick (on) a wholesome, American, young female (for) the first sign of anything, Contactmusic quoted him as telling MTV.com.

“Unfortunately, there’s a picture of her that’s published with her in just a blanket. And that’s the photo, that’s the catalyst. But that’s also the age we live in. People want to take a photo, and that’s who you are for a year’s time. We’ve all become victims of that,” he added.

Cyrus candid snaps showed her posing barebacked, wrapped in a satin sheet.

The pictures clicked by controversial photographer Annie Leibovitz sparked outrage in the U.S., forcing the teen star to apologise, and claim that she was duped into the shots. (ANI)