Miley Cyrus reveals the backstage process of THAT shocking topless picture for Vanity Fair… back when she was just 15 YEARS OLD

Miley Cyrus has revealed the backstage process of her topless Vanity Fair photo, which sent shock waves through America in 2008.

The photo, taken by celebrated fashion photographer Annie Leibovitz, scandalously debuted when Miley was just 15 years old.

At the time, Miley was trying to cultivate a more mature media image, going against the wholesome Disney Channel persona she first rode to stardom during the run of her claim-to-fame sitcom Hannah Montana.

Now, on her new Disney+ special Endless Summer Vacation (backyard sessions), Miley reflected on the arguments with the benefit of looking back over a decade.

“Everyone knows the controversy surrounding the photo, but they don’t really know the behind-the-scenes background, which is always much more meaningful,” she said.

Behind the camera: Shot by celebrated fashion photographer Annie Leibovitz (pictured last September), the image scandalously debuted when Miley was just 15 years old

Miley strategically holds a sheet over her front in the topless image, which was published in black and white for the June 2008 issue.

In addition to a profile titled Miley Knows Best, she was also pictured with her heartbreaking father, the Achy Breaky Heart one-hit wonder Billy Ray Cyrus.

“My little sister Noah sat on Annie’s lap and pressed the camera button to take the pictures,” Miley revealed in the Disney+ special.

To make it clear that her “family was on set,” Miley also noted that the Vanity Fair shoot was “the first time I ever wore red lipstick.”

She recalled, “Pati Dubroff, who did my makeup, thought that would be another element that would separate me from Hannah Montana.”

Fifteen years later, Miley reflected on the photo and argued that the discrepancy between that photo and Hannah Montana’s personality was what sparked the scandal.

“This image of me is the polar opposite of the bubblegum pop star I was known for, and that was so disturbing,” she said. “But really brilliant choices, looking back now from those people.”

Miley faced a barrage of outrage when the photo first hit newsstands, back in 2008, when Hannah Montana was still on the Disney Channel.

That year: Miley strategically holds a sheet over her front in the topless image, which was published in black and white for the June 2008 issue; she is pictured the following month

Throwback: Miley tried to cultivate a more mature image, going against her wholesome Disney Channel persona on Hannah Montana, which she’s pictured in 2006

Many parents were outraged and baffled by Miley’s position as a pop idol to their own children, while the Disney Channel released a statement condemning Vanity Fair for choosing to “deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old into selling magazines.”

As the ruckus mounted, the teen star found herself publicly apologizing for the photo, prompting a New York Post cover of “Miley’s Shame.”

Ten years later, however, Miley retracted her apology, defiantly tweeting a picture of the cover of the New York Post and screaming, “I’m not sorry, F*** YOU.”

Annie Leibovitz, who is known in addition to her career for her long-term romance with Susan Sontag, defended the photo from the start.

“I’m sorry my portrayal of Miley has been misinterpreted,” she said at the time of the controversy. “Miley and I looked at fashion photos together and we discussed the photo in that context before we took it. The photo is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little make-up, and I think it’s very beautiful.’

In a subsequent interviewAnnie claimed the photo was “actually kind of innocent on some level.”

“She loved taking that picture, and she was ready to take that picture. It was just that her audience wasn’t ready for it. I think if there was a mistake, it’s likely she shouldn’t have posed for Vanity Fair.”