Miley Cyrus (Reuters)
Miley Cyrus took to Twitter to defend her curvy shape after online critics criticized her for piling on the pounds.
Several tabloids posted commentaries last week on Cyrus' apparent weight gain -- observing how the 18-year-old was sporting a seemingly rounder face and wearing loose fitting clothing.
Fans of the teen star took to Twitter Tuesday, with one admirer calling her "a role model & an inspiration" and another writing to Cyrus "you're beautiful and don't you forget it."
"By calling girls like me fat this is what you're doing to other people. I love MYSELF," Cyrus tweeted in response, posting a graphic picture of an emaciated woman suffering from an eating disorder to her 3.5 million Twitter followers.
"I LOVE being shaped like a WOMAN & trust me ladies your man won't mind either," Cyrus added, alluding to her Aussie boyfriend Liam Hemsworth who recently told an Australian magazine he finds it's sexy when Cyrus has "steak sauce dripping down her chin."
Fellow Disney star Demi Lovato, 19, who has struggled with body image issues, chimed in to offer her support to Cyrus.
"I love you," Lovato told the former "Hannah Montana" star in a tweet. "Whoever called you that has it coming."
Trending
Who's making headlines in television, music, movies and more from Hollywood to the Heartland.