Emily Ratajkowski is going to keep getting naked for the camera, whether her critics like it or not — but not just because she looks good doing it.
The 25-year-old stripped down for the new issue of Harper's Bazaar, in which she can be seen channeling Lady Godiva while posing totally nude atop a beautiful white horse, with nothing but her long brunette locks to protect her modesty.
Staring confidently into the camera, Emily looks totally at ease during the shoot, using her hands to steady herself on the horse's back.
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Taking it off: Emily Ratajkowski posed nude for the new issue of Harper's Bazaar
Honest: The 25-year-old actress seems confident in her skin, and also participated in an interview
Lady Godiva, a 13th century English noblewoman, famously rode naked through town in protest of taxes imposed by her husband, using her sexuality for political purpose.
So it's not hard to see why Emily would draw comparisons to the Countess, considering her own outspoken habits standing up for women and their right to own their own sexuality.
Speaking on the subject of female nudity in particular, the star told the magazine: 'A woman can be seeking attention and also make a statement. They don't need to be mutually exclusive.'
Of course, this isn't the first time that Emily has intended to make a statement by taking off her clothes. In March, Kim Kardashian — a woman Emily admitted she didn't know personally at the time — shared a nude selfie on her Instagram account, which drew mixed reactions from the public.
'There was this uproar, especially from Piers Morgan, who wrote this whole thing about "she's a mother, she's 35, it's ridiculous…She's too old and she's a mother, and we've given her enough attention, like she needs to stop doing this." That made me really angry... Kim's allowed to do what she wants.'
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Behind the scenes: Video from the shoot reveals that she wasn't fully nude atop the horse, but wore a thong
Lookalike: The thong was edited out in production to play up the Lady Godiva reference
On the issues: In an interview, she talks about Kim Kardashian's nude selfie in March
Talking bacK: The star supported Kim at the time, and says now that she didn't deserve the negative reaction she received
So, Emily said, she decided to team up with the star to back her up, taking a similar side-by-side nude selfie with the reality superstar — this time with both of their middle fingers in the air.
'Kim is someone who could be criticized for a lot of different things about what she represents, but to me it was an important moment to say, "Even this person who you could criticize for all these different things doesn't deserve this response, right?"'
The Gone Girl actress acknowledged that some people who had a problem with the selfie voiced the concern that men benefit from nude images of women, so they can't possibly be empowering. But, as she see it, the male gaze has nothing to do with it.
'That's something we really forget in this world, especially in my industry and being in the public eye as a female. There's this idea that if a man enjoys a photograph of a nude woman or if he likes your short skirt, he's taking something away from you,' she said.
'It's not right. Sex is normal. Desire is normal. Attention is normal, and that's okay. That's really what slut shaming is, right?'
Joining in: Take two: She also took a similar topless selfie with Kim after the incident
Tackling a problem: Emily noted the difference between the way women and men are perceived when they pose naked
In the interview — which was conducted by feminist author Naomi Wolf — Emily also shared her concern about some double standards women face when they decide to show some skin.
She pointed out that when Justin Bieber took his shirt off (on stage, for Calvin Klein, and in public in general), he was considered a 'grown-up'. But no so such shoulder-shrugging happens when women strip for photos.
Even among women who choose to go nude, there are discrepancies. Lena Dunham going topless and Kim Kardashian going topless are both viewed differently, and Emily finds this 'distinction in the reaction' troubling.
'The world should not be exclusive of the ideal body. It has to include all ideals, all bodies,' she said.
Not conflicting: She added that sexuality and desire are normal and just because a man likes a nude picture of a woman doesn't mean she doesn't own her sexuality
Bold: In an interview with the magazine, she opened up about her feelings on feminism and sexuality
Giddy up! Emily expressed her excitement about the spread while sharing the behind-the-scenes video from the shoot
In print: The photoshoot is online and appears in the August issue of Harper's Bazaar, featuring Gwen Stefani on the cover
In addition to sitting down for a candid interview, Emily also appeared in a behind-the-scenes video from the shoot, which she posted on her Instagram account on Thursday morning.
In the clip, it's revealed that Emily wasn't actually completely nude for the entire photoshoot, and she did in fact wear a thong while riding atop the horse — although the skimpy strips of fabric appear to have been edited out of the resulting images before publication.
'Tough day at work channeling Lady Godiva in all her nude glory for Harper's Bazaar,' Emily wrote alongside the black-and-white clip, which sees her riding around in a circle while expertly posing — and being followed by some eager cameramen.
In another image featured in the Harper's spread, the model is pictured without her equine companion, instead standing by herself in front of the camera, with her long hair left flowing around her shoulders, while her hands are clasped in front of her body.
Emily posted this one on Instagram, too, and gushed about her interview with Naomi.
'Naomi Wolf is someone I grew up admiring. Her ideas in The Beauty Myth and Promiscuities helped me to develop the opinions I carry today,' she said.
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