Kelis: 'Miley Cyrus is finding her way'

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."