Dear Kim Kardashian & Other Naked Celebrities: Here’s How Classic Stars Did It

Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn

Remember back when celebrities were classy? Back when we admired these larger-than-life stars who strolled down the red carpet in their gorgeous designer gowns and Harry Winston jewels, never a hair out of place?

Sure, I realize social media has changed things, but I have to think that Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly never sent their lovers Penthouse-like photos because “either your boyfriend is going to look at porn or he’s going to look at you.” That’s how Jennifer Lawrence explained her explicit nude photos that somehow leaked out of “the cloud” and into our news feeds.

Her statement bothers me. Why do we assume that all boyfriends are going to look at porn? It’s a slam to all the upstanding guys who never look at porn (yes, they’re out there).

Then there are the stars who actually pose naked on purpose, each trying to one-up the next. Miley Cyrus swung naked on a wrecking ball. Scout Willis walked around naked in New York City, then her sister Tallulah posted a nude selfie on Instagram. Chelsea Handler posted naked topless photos of herself (first mocking Vladimir Putin, then Kim Kardashian).

Let’s talk about Kim Kardashian, who apparently wasn’t getting enough attention, so she took it ALL off for Paper Magazine — first the back and then the front — so everyone on the planet would be talking about her. But is that REALLY how you want people talking about you, Kim? Whatever happened to leaving something to the imagination? Are you ok with your kids and grandkids seeing this somewhere down the line?

And what’s next for all these so-called stars who flaunt themselves in the buff? Will Hollywood be filled with naked celebrities everywhere – walking down the street, eating in restaurants, hitting the red carpet without a stitch on? It’s getting to the point where you’re actually an anomaly if you wear clothes. How about we try that? Then people will be talking about how you’re not naked. What a novel idea.

Anyway, the whole debacle got me thinking about how the classic stars promoted themselves — with beauty, class and taste. Take a look at some publicity shots of the gorgeous stars of yesteryear.

Are you ok with all the naked celebrities these days? Would you rather go back to a time when celebrities remained clothed? Sound off in the comments below! 

Comments

10 responses to “Dear Kim Kardashian & Other Naked Celebrities: Here’s How Classic Stars Did It”

  1. melanie Votaw Avatar

    I actually don’t have a problem with nudity or porn, but I think it’s more seductive and, yes, classier to show less.

  2. Renee Avatar

    I totally agree with Melanie.

    I haven’t really seen many of these naked celebs, and I think I saw the Kardashian pic and I can’t believe that’s really her butt… but that’s a different issue. But it’s odd to ask Kim if that’s how she wants to be remembered or if she wants to leave anything to the imagination. Didn’t she start her whole career by making a sex tape?

    I wonder if some of these women are reacting to the stolen naked photos by issuing their own photos themselves. It’s not something I’d do, but it’s obviously their right to do it.

  3. Alexandra Avatar

    Glad you wrote about this. I find sexting impossible to understand and that quote from Jennifer Lawrence is too much. Isn’t it more sexy when there remains something to reveal? Not getting this craze or KK for that matter.

  4. laurel Avatar
    laurel

    whats left to put on display? an electron microscope image of her clitorus after the assisstant oils it up & the photoshop crew tweeks it from all angles?

  5. Kimberly Strand Avatar
    Kimberly Strand

    Okay, I have been meaning to comment, so here I go. I don’t have a problem with nudity, but, I do think it should be tasteful, which isn’t how many celebs are showing themselves nowadays. What happened to self-respect or, as Jane put it, leaving something for the imagination. Yes, that may sound old fashion, but there’s something to be said about being classy. (By the way, I am not a conservative!) That being said, Kim is the one laughing all the way to the bank!

  6. Felicity Jones Avatar

    Scout Willis was not “naked” in NYC, she was topless. She also had a very specific reason for doing that and a feminist message behind it, but that seems to have been lost on you. Chelsea Handler was also conveying a similar message in pointing out sexist censorship policies on Instagram.
    But this idea that women being naked is not “classy” or that it indicates a lack of self-respect? It’s bullshit, and it’s just another way women have been taught to police each other’s bodies and sexuality.
    So stay clothed if you want to, but let’s respect others’ choices to reveal as much or as little as they want, to whomever they want.

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Yeah, but why do WE have to see it? (whine whine whine) Isn’t that what indecent exposure laws are all about? You can’t boot your computer up without seeing Kim K.’s nakedness in every newsfeed.

      The “free the nipple” thing … I dunno. I don’t think I’m ok with it. I don’t want to see naked (or even topless) people walking down the street – and I don’t want my kids to see it either. Yes, that’s just my opinion, but there you have it.

  7. Roxanne Avatar

    I’ve only seen the butt photo in a comparison showing that it’s a derivative (OK, pretty much copied entirely) from an earlier photo of someone else. Nudity in general doesn’t bother me, but I’m pretty sick of the trend toward over-exposure. I’m even getting sick of friends / family on social media who post photo after photo after photo that’s all BOOBS and pouty look. Honestly, aren’t we about more than that anymore?

  8. ruth pennebaker Avatar

    Agree with you — but have to add I find all the Kardashians, naked or clothed, to be objectionable. Enough of the famous for being famous schtick.

  9. Jeanine Barone Avatar

    I don’t have any issues with nudity. But being known as or remembered as the naked celeb seems like an unbelievable waste.

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