The highly-criticized Miley Cyrus has found an unlikely ally in Kelis, who has jumped to the 17-year-old’s defense in a new interview. Chatting to Yahoo, Kelis warned people to get off Miley’s back when asked about what the “Can’t Be Tamed” singer has been going through lately, rolling out an impressive rant about artists’ verses popstars’ in the process.

“Somebody had said something to me about it, like, “Have you seen her new video?” and I was like, “Yeah, I actually think it’s great”. they were like “Yeah, but you know, that’s not who she is,” and I’m like, “Get over yourself!”. At the end of the day, her life is — and I don’t generally talk about other artists… — but people need to get off her back.

“It’s like, you live your life — especially as an artist — if you’re any good, your feelings are on your sleeve. That’s what I really appreciate about artists verses a popstar. A popstar, they always have to be good. I don’t want that responsibility. I’m not always good, sometimes I suck, but that’s OK because I’m human. I’m an artist, I’m expressing what I’m actually going through in my life. If I’m pissed off, if I’m happy, if I’m pregnant and emotional; whatever it is I’m dealing with, ‘screw you‘, because this is my life.

“My art and what I do is how I express what I’m dealing with right now. It doesn’t always have to be a number one hit – who gives a crap? That’s what it is, and I think for her Miley, in particular, she’s a teenager, her whole life has been on blast because of what she does and she happens to be good at it. I think it’s kind of retarded when people are like, “Oh she’s trying to be this and she’s…”, who gives a crap!  This is what you do, who wasn’t like that at eighteen, nineteen? Cut her some slack. People forget that just because you are in the public eye they think you’re supposed to temper yourself…

“I saw the video Can’t Be Tamed and I was like “wow”. I knew exactly what she was going through as I watched it. I thought it was a beautiful video, she looks great, I get exactly what she’s saying, she couldn’t have put it more clear; She’s in a cage. I get it, it’s great, I think it’s brilliant, good for her. I’m glad she did that. It’s her right.”

It’s about time someone came out to watch poor Miley’s back!

When it comes to stars like Miley Cyrus, people often let the drama and negativity of the celebrity gossip side of things cloud their judgement, and it turns into a bit of a witch hunt against whoever is the flavor of the moment. As long as the music and visuals are good, nobody is getting hurt and everybody is being honest, then it shouldn’t matter. She hasn’t even done anything bad either, which is what makes the whole thing so silly.

You can check the extensive interview for yourself below. Kelis reveals some really interesting details about recording Flesh Tone as an unsigned artist, the inspiration behind some of the sounds and songs and a lot more.