Miley Cyrus wants voice, not twerking, to be spotlighted

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Miley Cyrus wants you to concentrate on her voice — not her twerking — when she launches her tour next month.

"Ren and Stimpy" creator John Kricfalusi and contemporary artist Ben Jones have crafted videos to play during the 38 shows as Cyrus prioritizes singing over dance routines.

"When it's such a visual show, I'm not going to get up there and dance because I've got to sing live," Cyrus said in an interview Thursday night. "So it's like to have things that people can watch other than me ... not about me trying to keep up with choreography."

The 21-year-old performer spoke at a rehearsal studio two days after performing with — and spanking —  Madonna at her "MTV Unplugged" concert this week. She found the 55-year-old star a kindred spirit in displaying unabashed eroticism.

"I'm not trying to replicate her or be her, but we're standing for a similar freedom," Cyrus said. "It's even easier for me than I'm sure it was for Madonna. So I think it's going to get easier and easier, as generations go on, women are going to be more accepted to be free and embrace sexuality."

Her North American tour kicks of Feb. 14 in Vancouver.