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NAKED AMBITION

Celebs who bared it all to make a statement – but is it a powerful message or an attention-seeking stunt?

SOMETIMES less is more - a saying these celebs have taken quite literally, stripping naked in a bid to make a serious statement.

Last week model Caprice Bourret shared a series of nude photos with "F U WAR" scrawled across her back in response to the ongoing Russian invasion of besieged Ukraine.

The model shared her message for peace in a series of intimate photos
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The model shared her message for peace in a series of intimate photosCredit: Instagram
Her statement was in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
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Her statement was in response to the Russian invasion of UkraineCredit: Instagram

But the 50-year-old model faced some backlash for her stunt, with Janet Street Porter branding it "crass, self-centred, inappropriate" and "a perfect example of an ego pimping off a catastrophe".

Caprice defended her post, while TV personality Lizzie Cundy showed her support, telling : "I feel we should promote peace in any way we can and if it means wearing less clothes and it gets attention then that's what I'm going to do'.

"I feel like we should all be doing our bit to protest about the war in our own way and which will get the most attention."

PR guru Edward Hopkins believes that while Caprice's intentions are good, she missed the mark by getting undressed.

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He told The Sun: "I can't see how being naked relates to war. She is simply doing what she knows as an ex glamour model.

"It doesn't quite have the same impact as it would if it was someone who we rarely saw without clothes.

"The coverage she has generated with the aim of helping Ukrainian refugees is great, but she could have done it another way."

Here we reveal other celebs who got their kit off to make a statement - while Ed gives his verdict as to whether they succeeded or missed the mark.

Emily Ratajkowski - 'Our bodies, our choice'

Emily used her platform to send a message regarding her stance on anti-abortion laws
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Emily used her platform to send a message regarding her stance on anti-abortion lawsCredit: EMILY RATAJKOWSKI - INSTAGRAM

When a law was passed in Alabama prohibiting abortions in 2019, model Emily Ratajkowski, now 30, posted a powerful image of herself naked to Instagram to hit back at the "25 old white men" who passed the bill.

Alongside the striking photo, the mum-of-one wrote: 'This week, 25 old white men voted to ban abortion in Alabama even in cases of incest and rape.

"Our bodies, our choice."

Ed said: "This is a very sensitive subject she is raising awareness about and I'm not entirely sure if getting naked was the right way to do it.

"I can see why she did it, but I think it was inappropriate given the issue."

The model recently shared a series of stunning natural portraits from her pregnancy to mark her son Sylvester's first birthday and International Women's Day.

Eva Mendes - animal rights

PETA's 'I'd rather go naked' campaign saw a whole host of big names strip off to raise awareness about animal cruelty
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PETA's 'I'd rather go naked' campaign saw a whole host of big names strip off to raise awareness about animal crueltyCredit: Mega

She's one of Hollywood's leading ladies, so Eva Mendes knows how to make a statement.

The actress, who is married to Ryan Gosling, has previously used her influence to pose for a PETA campaign, highlighting she'd "rather go naked" than wear fur.

Eva said: “I want people to know that there are options—that killing a poor animal and wearing it isn’t cool… respecting all life forms is cool."

She's one of many stars to have posed for PETA over the years, with the likes of Pamela Anderson, rocker Tommy Lee, Gillian Anderson and Pink also lending themselves to the cause.

Ed said: "This is a very clever campaign and having celebrities getting naked makes perfect sense.

"But they have used celebs we are used to seeing strip off which makes it have slightly less impact."

A-listers - stripping for votes

Some big names including Mark Ruffalo created a video during the US election - naked
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Some big names including Mark Ruffalo created a video during the US election - nakedCredit: YouTube
Even supermodel Naomi Campbell got behind the political campaign
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Even supermodel Naomi Campbell got behind the political campaignCredit: YouTube

A-List stars including Mark Ruffalo, Chris Rock and Naomi Campbell went nude for a mail-in voting campaign during the 2020 US election.

In some states rules stipulate that a voter must seal their mail-in ballot in a secrecy envelope and the return envelope for it to count.

Any ballots without the secrecy envelope are considered "naked" and deemed invalid.

Ed said: "This is by far the most effective use of naked celebrities as the people involved aren't normally undressed in public.

"It's a very clever marketing ploy and nakedness is linked directly to the issue - naked votes. Overall it was really well done."

Amber Rose - slut-shaming

Amber Rose bared all to raise awareness of slut shaming
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Amber Rose bared all to raise awareness of slut shaming

Model and activist Amber Rose - who also happens to be Kanye West's ex-girlfriend - posed completely naked back in 2017 to promote her annual SlutWalk event, aimed at ending slut-shaming.

Speaking about the event, the 38-year-old said: "It doesn’t matter what we have on. It's still not an excuse to come and touch me inappropriately or assume I want to f**k you—because I don’t."

Ed said: "Amber's nakedness makes a really strong point given the political statement she's making.

"It grabbed grabbed attention and has now evolved into an annual slut walk I believe.”

Little Mix - trolling

Little Mix posed together with all the cruel comments they'd had directed at them scrawled across their skin
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Little Mix posed together with all the cruel comments they'd had directed at them scrawled across their skinCredit: Instagram/jadethirlwall

Little Mix bared all in their 2018 music video for Strip, which showcased all the insults they'd been subjected to written all over their bodies.

According to the former group, it was "all about standing proud" and "to encourage and empower people to be who they are".

Fans heaped praise on the band's tasteful black and white shoot, with one writing on Twitter: "Little Mix’s Strip song and video and the whole meaning behind it is fantastic."

Reality stars - kit off for cancer

Chris has been very vocal about cancer awareness
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Chris has been very vocal about cancer awareness
Jake Quickenden stripped off for the show, which aimed to raise prostate cancer awareness
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Jake Quickenden stripped off for the show, which aimed to raise prostate cancer awareness

Love Island hunk Chris Hughes and X Factor star Jake Quickenden joined a star-studded line-up on The Real Full Monty on Ice in 2020.

As well as providing entertainment, there was a serious message behind the ITV show, to raise awareness about prostate cancer.

Over the years Chris has been vocal about cancer awareness and previously underwent a testicular exam live on This Morning. 

Ed said: "This is a really worthwhile cause for people to get their kits off for. It is done very cleverly with the mix of celebrities that sign up each year.

"It makes sense because it is encouraging people to check their bodies."

Britney Spears - conservatorship

The singer has been celebrating her new found freedom
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The singer has been celebrating her new found freedomCredit: Social Media - Refer to Source

Singer Britney recently freed herself from her restricting and controversial conservatorship - and now regularly posts nude photos to her social media to celebrate her new-found liberation.

"Free woman energy has never felt better," she wrote alongside one of her powerful posts.

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Her bold statement came after her 13-year conservatorship was terminated - meaning her father Jamie Spears no longer controls her finances.

Ed said: "While this is controversial, it is Britney expressing her freedom in the clearest way. That win gave her back control to do whatever she wanted."

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