Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake says Miley Cyrus is "really talented".

The 'Mirrors' hitmaker has defended the 20-year-old singer from critics - who have objected to her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards and her 'Wrecking Ball' video in which she appears nude - but admitted while he admires her as an artist, he isn't entirely convinced by her image.

He told Matt Lauer on 'Today': "I don't know that I have a definitive thought in one direction or the other about it. I think she's really smart, and I think she's really talented.

"I'm not saying I agree with the presentation, but I also feel like every 10 to 15 years we pick somebody that this is what we're going to do with them, is we're going to make them the model of who we want our daughters to be or not be."

Justin has spoken in the past about Miley's duet with 'Blurred Lines' singer Robin Thicke and insisted it was fine given the context of the event.

He previously said: "Listen, man, it's the VMAs - what did you guys expect? I like Miley. I like her a lot.

"I think she's young, she's letting everybody know she's growing up. I think it's the VMAs, it's not like she did it at the Grammys.

"It's the VMAs, let her do her thing. You know, Madonna. Wedding suit. Humping the stage. Britney. Striptease. This is not an uncommon thing."