At the Hellmans/Facebook Feeding America Charity Event on Thursday aftenoon, country star Billy Ray Cyrus responded to the controversy surrounding daughter Miley’s controversial pole-dancing routine at the Teen Choice Awards earlier this month. While performing her hit song, “Party In The USA” at the Aug. 10 event, the 16-year-old Disney star gyrated feverishly and danced next to a metal pole attached to the top of an ice cream cart. Her seductive dance moves drew criticisms across the Web.

When asked about the controversy, Billy Ray replied: “You know what? I just think that Miley loves entertaining people. She loves singing [and] songwriting.” he added. “I always tell her to love what you’re doing and stay focused for the love of the art and not worry so much about opinion,”