Justin Timberlake Defends Miley Cyrus: ‘Let Her Do Her Thing’

The President of Pop has spoken – and he’s on Team Miley.

Justin Timberlake defended Miley Cyrus’ much-maligned MTV VMA performance in a radio interview on Tuesday.

“Listen, man, you know, it’s the VMAs. What did you guys expect?” Justin – a fellow former Disney child star – told Fresh 102.7 radio host Jim Douglas, of the 20-year-old “We Can’t Stop” singer. “I like Miley. I like her a lot. I think, you know, she’s young. She’s letting everybody know that she’s growing up.”

Justin, 32, also said the VMAs are an appropriate venue to take performance risks.

“I just think it’s the VMAs. It’s not like she did it at the Grammys,” the “Take Back The Night” singer said. “Let her do her thing, you know?”

Adding, “Madonna: wedding suit, humping the stage. Britney: strip tease. This is not an uncommon thing.”

And Justin was even a fan of Miley’s giant furry friends.

“I actually thought all the bears were really cool,” Justin said.

VOTE: Is the Miley Cyrus VMAs backlash deserved?

— Erin O’Sullivan