Billie Ray Cyrus Says Annie Leibovitz is “Paparazzi”

Billy Ray Cyrus recently revealed that his family really doesn’t think too highly of famed Annie Leibovitz, who photographed Miley Cyrus in a controversial photoshoot earlier this year. Billy Ray spoke out on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM radio show on Monday, saying that Annie Leibovitz was now following his family like “paparazzi.”

“I was catching these crawdads [with daughter Noah, 8] and all the sudden this paparazzi lady jumps out with this big bazooka lens and starts snapping away. My little girl Noah looks up and says, ‘Is that Annie Leibovitz?’”

I have a feeling that there’s more background to the story than he’s letting on. After all, Miley Cyrus is a total cash cow and her relationship with Disney is very important to continue building her billion-plus empire. After eyebrows were raised and it was revealed that Billy Ray “happened” to step out for the crucial last photos, he’s probably got a big fat grudge going.

I’m not sure if a woman who produces work like this (and this and this) could ever be a member of the paparazzi, no matter what really happened.