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Nude Photo Scandals: A Celebrity's Best Nightmare

By Kristina Madison Posted Mar 31st 2011 11:30PM

celebrity nude photo scandals

We see London, we see France, we see so much more than a star's underpants! Nothing brings on a bigger gasp than when news breaks that there's another celebrity caught in a nude photo scandal. As the initial shock wears off and the countless questions start rolling in (Why would any celebrity pose nude? How big is it? Are those real?), the situation becomes a celebrity's worst nightmare.

But at the same time, when a body part is inexplicably exposed for the world to see, it can be the biggest career boost a star doesn't need to hire a publicist for. (Other than for damage control, of course.) Here's why.

Scandalous Photos Change the Subject
It seems like every week there's a new celebrity photo scandal just waiting to jump out of the vaults. This week, Christina Aguilera fell victim as rumors started circulating that hundreds of raunchy photos of the singer, with celeb friends like Nicole Richie and boyfriend Matt Rutler, were found on a memory card at an upscale hotel Xtina stayed at in France.

Although the photos have yet to be revealed, this was exactly the kind of press Christina needed. She's had a less-than-stellar few months -- she botched the national anthem at the Super Bowl, fell on stage at the Grammys and got arrested for public intoxication. As a result, Christina was getting attention for everything but her amazing vocals. When knowledge of these photos surfaced, yes, it did bring more focus to her negative actions, but until the evidence is out there for the world to see, it's all hearsay. The proof is already in the pudding for her past wrongdoings, and it's time for the public to start talking about something new.

Chris Brown is also a great example of nude photos leaking at the perfect time. Ever since he got in a domestic dispute with Rihanna in February 2009, the only attention the press was giving him, whether it was good or bad, had to do with that fateful night. As Brown geared up to promote his new album 'F.A.M.E.,' the last thing he wanted to deal with was more questions about his situation with Rihanna. "It's pointless," he tweeted.

Coincidentally, just two weeks before his CD dropped, nude photos of him also dropped. Instantly, all attention was diverted from Rihanna -- the photos were the perfect distraction to get people talking about something else. (Well, that was until he smashed a window at 'Good Morning America'...)

Nude Pictures Help Shed an Innocent Image
The transition from sweet teen star to edgy adult star is not easy. (Just ask Mischa Barton.) But take it from celebs like Vanessa Hudgens -- the process becomes a lot quicker when nude photos of you are revealed. The 'High School Musical' star just had another set of photos leak -- the first set being in 2007 -- and it sealed the deal that she isn't the same sweet girl Zac Efron courted for five years. Hudgens has left the halls of East High and hasn't looked back.

The "Hey! Remember Me?!" Factor
You don't need to be an A-list celebrity for people to buzz about your leaked photos because let's face it, a scandal, no matter how big, is a scandal -- there will always be interest. Case in point? 'Twilight' star Ashley Greene. In August 2009, a year before she broke teenage hearts by dating Joe Jonas, full-frontal photos of her surfaced on the web. Suddenly, she went from "that girl from 'Twilight' with the short hair that's not Kristen Stewart" to "'Twilight' star Ashley Greene."

Same goes for model Amber Rose. Before her birthday suit photos surfaced online, Amber was solely known as Kanye West's arm candy. Now, people actually know her name -- and what her badonkadonk looks like.

If All Else Fails, Just Say "Oops"
Does the phrase "pulling a Paris" ring a bell? Posed private photos aren't the only kind of naked pics that will keep a star's name alive. Simply going commando, accidentally wearing a see-through shirt or donning a low-cut dress that has potential for a nip slip are sure-fire ways to get people chatting. One false step out of a limo or a quick breeze, and a star's fun night out turns into next day's headlines. Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus have all had "oops" moments that were splashed all over the news.

More: Why Celebs Romance Their Agents, And Why It Works

Comments

(12)

Thursday 31 March

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um nude pictures aren't dangerous to a stars career unless their under age or are supposed to be considered the girl or guy next door. it's a career move like doing a licencing deal for fragrances Jewlery footwear & Clothing is. any press is good press as long as the celebs name is spelled correctly.

Thursday 31 March

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Puh-leeze. As if chris thewomanbeater brown didnt rlease those photo's himself. Kinda like tearing off his own shirt in anger.

Thursday 31 March

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Ridiculous! These people should be ostracized back to working blue-collar jobs, not rewarded with millions of dollars!

Friday 01 April

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@David: But do you want to know the irony? A reaction like yours is exactly WHY they are as you put it "rewarded with millions of dollars". Simply put, the scandal, be it real or staged gains them publicity. People act outraged, as you just did here. Which keeps their name in the spotlight, thus they sell more records, or more movie tickets, or whatever. If people just ignored it when some celebrity had images stolen off of a cell phone's memory (or leaked by the celebrity, which I'm sure some are leaked intentionally despite claims), then they wouldn't be "rewarded with millions of dollars" for such an act.

Or the short form: Want to make sure some celebrity scandal doesn't gain them more fame and/or money? Don't treat their scandal as an earth shattering issue. If I got drunk and naked in a bar, all I'd get is arrested, and I doubt anyone past MAYBE my immediate family and some friends would care. Why should we care if some celebrity does the same?

Friday 01 April

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@NotMe, You're wrong! Being outraged at these people doesn't get them paid! Apparently, for every one person "outraged", there is some immoral moron that will pay to see them. I sure as hell don't pay them any money! For example, if nobody watched Kim Kartrashian on E! network, then she would be gone! And from what I hear, E! didn't want her to begin with, but Ryan Seacrest begged them to give her a try. SO, you are blaming the wrong people! You should be blaming the people with low moral standards that keep these people "in the spotlight"!

Thursday 31 March

By Heartbreak Kid

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POPEATER SUCKS!!

Thursday 31 March

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Chris Brown "got in a domestic dispute" with Rihanna? Seriously? He beat her up - badly - and everyone knows it - why euphemise when you're writing about his bad publicity anyway?

Thursday 31 March

By mem

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If it weren't for Kim Kardashion's sex tape with that loser Ray J 4 years ago they would never have the fame they have now.

Thursday 31 March

By Ernest DeBrew

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Yeah, that is good, I guess.

Friday 01 April

By Ted

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Why do they walk around with naked pictures of themselves? I don't feel sorry for these idiots and who would want to see Christina naked? She looks like a tranny.

Friday 01 April

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as my mom would say..ballderdash! celeb nude photos don't cause them nightmares..most of the time it boosts their image..the media gets hold of the pics and for weeks it's publicity for a star who may have been sliding into media obscurity or in need of a media jolt..some times I've wonder if some of these people haven't leaked their photos on their own

Sunday 03 April

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Chris Brown = black trash....and get rid of the blonde hair,looks pathetic ....but then again he is pathetic!!

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