- Miley Cyrus speaks out on her controversial performance
- She said it's to be expected at the MTV Video Music Awards
- Cyrus said the public is thinking about it more than she did
(CNN) -- Miley Cyrus has a message for the haters: You are overthinking it.
The singer has broken her silence regarding the MTV Video Music Awards performance that set tongues wagging (and some other parts shaking as folks tried to imitate her twerking).
Cyrus, in an interview feature on that network's site, said she doesn't "pay attention to the negative."
Foam finger inventor upset with Miley 
Miley Cyrus became a household name for families when her Disney Channel television show, "Hannah Montana," premiered in 2006. Cyrus, now 20, quickly rose to pop star fame and has been changing her appearance ever since. Here the singer attends a July 12 event in Los Angeles. 
The future pop star with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, in October 1994 in Memphis, Tennessee. 
The father and daughter team make a New York appearance for the Disney Channel in February 2006. 
Cyrus performs during the Radio Disney Totally 10 Birthday Concert in July 2006 in Anaheim, California. 
Cyrus appears at the 2007 American Music Awards in Los Angeles. 
Cyrus arrives at a film premiere in Hollywood in January 2008. 
Cyrus performs for ABC's "Good Morning America" at New York's Bryant Park in July 2008. 
Cyrus appears at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Westwood, California, in 2009. 
Cyrus and her mother, Tish Cyrus, at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in January 2010 in Los Angeles. 
Cyrus performs at a music festival in June 2010 in Arganda del Rey, Spain. 
The singer arrives at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas in May 2012. 
The grown-up Cyrus performs during the "VH1 Divas" concert in Los Angeles in December. 
Cyrus shows off her moves with Robin Thicke during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Brooklyn, New York, on Sunday, August 25. 
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Photos: Evolution of Miley Cyrus 
Miley Cyrus stunned the crowd at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, August 25. Cyrus' "We Can't Stop" performance featured her now-signature twerking and a crotch grab or two. After she donned the fuzzy gray leotard pictured here ... 
... Miley Cyrus stripped down to a flesh-toned bra and panties while Robin Thicke performed "Blurred Lines" with 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar. 
On receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Justin Timberlake took the VMAs audience back in time through his jams, from his new single "Take Back the Night" to "SexyBack" and "Cry Me a River." And then ... 
... 'N Sync "surprised" the crowd when the group reunited on stage. It was only a brief interlude during JT's performance, but it was awesome to see (from left) Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick making beautiful music together again. 
Drake performed "Hold On, We're Going Home" and "Started From the Bottom." 
Bruno Mars took to the VMAs stage in a leopard print button-down and performed his new single "Gorilla" among laser beams and bursts of fire. 
After being introduced by NBA player Jason Collins and A$AP Rocky, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis performed their same-sex marriage equality song "Same Love" with Mary Lambert. 
Kanye West performed a stirring rendition of "Blood on the Leaves" in silhouette, against a backdrop of Steve McQueen's "Lynching Tree." 
Lady Gaga returned to the VMAs stage for the first time in two years. She opened the show with her new single "Applause," featuring the singer's requisite multiple costume and hair changes, starting with this conceptual get-up ... 
... and ending in a sea-shell bra and flower-festooned thong. 
Katy Perry was ready to rumble while playing her chart-topping single "Roar" under the Brooklyn Bridge. The song closed out the VMAs. 2013 VMAs: Performances 
Why we can't stop talking about Miley "Me and Robin (Thicke) the whole time said, 'You know we're about to make history right now,' " Cyrus said in a clip provided to MTV.
Cyrus' dance routine and provocative outfit were the talk of the VMAs, and the former child star is fully aware they have garnered her what most celebs covet -- the public's attention.
Opinion: Miley is sexual, get over it
She points out in the clip that what she did is nothing new.
Let's not let Robin Thicke off the hook
"How many times have we seen this play out in pop music?" Cyrus asked. "Madonna's done it, Britney's done it. Every VMA performance. Anyone that performs, that's what you're looking for. You are wanting to make history."
Miley Cyrus upholds MTV VMA tradition
She goes on to say in the clip, which was reportedly recorded three days after the performance, that it's amazing how much buzz the whole thing has garnered.
"You are thinking about it more than I thought about it when I did it," Cyrus said. "I didn't even think about it when I did it because that's just me."
There's something (potentially dangerous) about molly
