Miley Cyrus has spoken out to deny claims that her “Bangerz Tour” show is racist.

She has been criticised by many for choosing to use African-American backing dancers but claims that in doing so, she isn't degrading anyone.

She said: "It's really funny how serious people take it. And they're like, you're racist. And I'm like, 'Really?'

"It's like, literally, we're just a bunch of kids dancing around in bears. We don't [even] have choreography... They're awesome dancers on their own; it's not me telling them how to be."

Cyrus also denied claims that she was exploiting little people.

"We're making them feel sexual and beautiful," she said and went on to talk about one little person in particular saying: "We're all about lifting her up and making her feel so sexy all the time, and having her dance - she's actually an awesome dancer."