Miley Cyrus concert banned on morality grounds in the Dominican Republic

Miley Cyrus performing in New York. Photo/AP.

Miley Cyrus' twerking has been deemed too offensive for the Dominican Republic government, which has banned the singer from performing on "morality grounds".

The country's commission that oversees public performances has banned a concert Cyrus was due to play as part of her Bangerz world tour on 13 September.

In a statement, the commission said it took the action because Cyrus often "undertakes acts that go against morals and customs, which are punishable by Dominican Law".

The singer's Bangerz world tour sees her wear a cannabis-patterned leotard and simulate fake oral sex on a Bill Clinton impersonator.

Cyrus has also previously smoked cannabis on stage, an illegal act in the Dominican Republic.

Tickets ranging from $27 to $370 for the concert in the capital Santo Domingo are said to have been on sale since July.

A representative for Cyrus did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Concert organisers in the Dominican Republic also did not comment on the ban.

In the past, the commission has banned songs it considered vulgar from the country's airwaves, including some by Calle 13 of Puerto Rico.

The 21-year-old former Hannah Montana star and Wrecking Ball singer will perform at Auckland's Vector Arena on Wednesday, October 8.

The two-hour show, which Cyrus started touring in February, has courted controversy for its implied sexual themes, raunchy outfits and drug references.

But in an interview with the Herald, Cyrus defended the show, saying the sexual themes were a celebration of female empowerment.

Tickets for the show go on sale on August 28.

Who: Miley Cyrus
Where: Wednesday, October 8, Vector Arena
Tickets: Pre-sale begins on August 25 through daintygroup.com; on general release from August 28 through ticketmaster.co.nz
Albums: Meet Miley Cyrus (2007); Breakout (2008); Can't Be Tamed (2010); Bangerz (2013).

- Independent / NZ Herald