Miley Cyrus denies raunchy image is attention seeking

Miley Cyrus has dismissed suggestions her raunchy new image is a publicity stunt.

The former teen star courted controversy with her racy performance with Robin Thicke at the MTV Video Music Awards in August (13) and her naked appearance in the promo for her track Wrecking Ball.

But Cyrus is adamant she is not simply courting publicity, insisting she would love to keep a low profile.

She tells Cosmopolitan Magazine, "The biggest misconception about me is that I like the media attention. I wish I could be who I am without the fame. If everyone would still buy my records and if everything would go to No. 1 in 30 seconds or whatever, that would be great...

"There are definitely times when I wake up and wish I could go out without being photographed. I don't care if people recognise me and say 'hey' but I don't want to be stopped. I want to just walk around and see new cities."