WHY SOME WOMEN STRIP IN PUBLIC AND WHY STARS POSE NAKED? For  one million reasons. And it has nothing to do with money, as many ingenious minds and rednecks believe or imagine. Kate Moss does not need to pose naked to make money. She appeared in full armored clothes on major glossy magazines covers. And she earns zillions, just by holding a product or looking at the camera. She does it because it is part of the fabric of the business. Almost 88% of stars and celebrities, including university professors, anchorwomen, women-wrestlers, top executives and moms posed in the nude at one time in their lives and careers for pragmatic, incomprehensible reasons, fantasy, celebrity quest, notoriety exposure, re-launching a career, antagonizing  boyfriend, steering gossips, enjoying nudity, sex-mania, fortune or simply for the fun of it or taste for the risqué. Women have more tendency to go for the extremes and pose naked than men. Many female celebrities and accomplished artists see and illustrate in nudity and in confronting a camera in the nude a sign of rebellion, freedom, mutiny, an art expression or even an essential part of the femina esthetics.  In 1956, Brigitte Bardot posed nude in "Et Dieu Crea La Femme" her debut in a major French film, to attract attention, to reach stardom and to  steal headlines, NOT to make a living. Some stars take off their clothes, to stay in the limelight, under the spotlight or to create one. A perfect example is Brigitte Nielsen. Despite her fame and fortune, Nielsen parades topless on the beaches of the French Riviera. Madonna does it for different reasons: The Madonna's reasons and that's enough for us! Some superstars and starlets categorically refuse to pose naked. Grace Kelly, Katharine Hepburn and  Audrey Hepburn are perfect examples. They would not do it for all the gold in the world.

Photos: The legendary Louise Brooks in the thirties.

Is it immoral or unethical to pose nude? Many think so, including the executive committee of Miss America. Vanessa Williams was stripped from her title because Miss America Election Committee discovered that once upon a time, Williams posed naked for Playboy. She had to return her crown but, not the fat check she got from the committee. So what is the problem here? What is the critical issue? The issue? Very simple: SEX! And sex in America could be taboo for public officials, elected people, members of the judicial system, the Congress, governors, men and women of the robe, et al. Approximately 89% of political disgraces, scandals and resignations from public office were caused by a sex scandal, regardless of the ramifications and nature of the affair. And posing naked could or would constitute disgrace to many, while delighting many of us, including those hypocrites  who wrapped themselves with the morality robe. Should I say, morality ropes?! And women know that. ""Men like me because I don't wear a brassiere. Women like me because I don't look like a girl who would steal a husband. At least not for long.", said Jean Harlow. Women stars who pose naked are fully aware that nudity and sex pay big time. Even cabaret and "boite" chanteuses admit that fact. Sure, talent is primordial but, showing flesh could be an enormous boost for a star's career. And nobody demonstrated this "La Verite de La Palice" better than the legendary Josephine Baker.

JOSEPHINE BAKER: "I WILL STRIP BY THE NAME OF GOD"

Photo: Josephine Baker.

In Paris' thirties and early forties, Mistinguet or Mistinguette reigned as the queen of the French music hall and cabarets. She was untouchable. Until, a poor, half-way talented obscure black American entertainer from Missouri showed off half or totally naked on the Parisian cabaret stages: Josephine Baker in person, Et Voila, for the first time in her career, Mistinguette faced the most threatening move by another aspiring star. Josephine Baker was crowned by the French audience as the new queen of the French Cabaret. Not because of her talent, but, simply, because she paraded on stage wearing only a banana belt around her lower part. Yet, this outstanding woman was highly spiritual and religious. A great humanitarian and charitable woman who adopted 12 orphans from different races and nationalities. "If taking off my clothes will help me to feed my children, I will do it by the name of God..." said Josephine Baker.