Kelis has defended those criticising Miley Cyrus's sexed-up image.

The singer, whose new album Flesh Tone was released in the US last week, said Cyrus acts just like any other teenager her age.

She said: "She's a teenager. I think it's retarded when people say, 'Oh, she's trying to be this [kind of person].' Who gives a crap? She's 18! Who wasn't like that at her age?

"People think because you're in the public eye you have to [behave] yourself. Why? When you're a teenager... you're finding your way."

Kelis also said that Cyrus is showing the true makings of an "artist" as opposed to a "pop star".

She explained: "At the end of the day... if you're a good artist... you live your life with your feelings on your sleeve, and that's what I appreciate about artists versus a pop star.

"A pop star has to always be good. I don't want that responsibility. I'm not always good, sometimes I suck! That's ok though, I'm a human - an artist expressing what I'm actually going through in my life. [Whether] I'm pissed off, if I'm happy, or if I'm pregnant and emotional.

"My art and what I do is how I express what I'm dealing with. It doesn't always have to be a number one hit, who gives a crap? It's my life."

Yass Kelisus
Stanning for your fellow queen

Miley can dress as sexy and inappropriate as she wants, but that's not going to salvage her career.

Example: Album sales.

are you joking?

"Retarded". How mature.

she's talking like a regular person would

Kelis is correct in saying leave Miley alone. Miley's performances are relatively tame compared to the other popular singers.

I like Kelis but I disagree with her.

Who's Kelis? Does her opinion even matter? Miley is 17 right?

That word though can offend people. I have Aspergers Syndrome which is a mild form of Autism, and ignorant people would say I'm retarded because I'm labeled with "autism". I haven't dealt with that, but when I was a kid at day care kids would say that to me.

Trust me, I know Kelis isn't referring to Autism people in this, but saying the word retarded though when she means it's stupid is like using gay for the word stupid.

But anyways, Kelis defending Miley

oh, the irony

she's prolly right, I just can‘t like kelis..

THis is very emotional

Wow...Kelis is spitting the truth like no other

LOL!

How did Kelis get interviewed about Miley Cyrus? They are like two unrelated artists.