Unwritten rules stars like Kim Kardashian & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley follow to turn naked-selfies from trashy to classy
EVER wondered why some celebs can bare all and still be called chic, while others get tagged as tacky?
Life in the limelight means every move you make is up for public debate – your outfits, your love life, and yes, even your birthday suit moments.
Style guru Trinny Woodall was recently labelled an “icon” after she shared how she once used a “naked” image as a business card to boost her career.
But why is it that celebs like her and others, including models Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 37, and Emily Ratajkowski, 33, escape public wrath when they strip off unlike Kerry Katona, 43, and Bianca Censori, 29, who face harsh backlash?
CEO of award-winning PR agency Go Up, Edward Coram James, believes that how the public perceive a certain celebrity as well as personal branding play a crucial role.
“Celebrities who have cultivated an image of sophistication, like Rosie Huntingdon Whitley may be more likely to maintain that perception even when ‘stripping down,’” he says.
“Others, who have solidified their celebrity through reality TV or similar ‘lowbrow’ media, may already have a negative public image and are likely to receive more criticism.
“The context also makes a difference here.
“Nudity in a high-fashion context or for artistic expression will be viewed differently than nudity for explicit or commercial purposes.
“For example, Bianca Censori being banned for life by a Venice boat company for indecent exposure is bound to have a far more negative public reaction compared to Lady Amelia Windsor sunbathing topless on holiday.”
Another factor to consider is ageism, particularly for women.
He says: “Kerry Katona might be judged more harshly than a younger woman in the spotlight making the same decisions, such as Megan Barton-Hanson.
“Barton-Hanson, who first found fame on Love Island, has managed to use her Only Fans success to gain traction as an influencer and collaborate on a lingerie line with Playful Promises.”
Also in the know is personal brand PR expert Brenda Gabriel and Joseph Hagan, celebrity publicist and owner of Streamline PR.
Here, they take a deep dive into the double standards of nudity, and how Kim Kardashian managed to go from trashy to classy by using some specific rules.
Lady Amelia Windsor
As a member of the British royal family, Lady Amelia Windsor’s public image is inherently tied to elegance and class.
Brenda says: “When she posts revealing photos, like her topless shots from Ibiza, they are framed within luxurious and sophisticated contexts.
“Her royal background contributes to a narrative of refinement and good taste.
“Media coverage of Lady Amelia’s photos tends to be positive, framing them as stylish and classy rather than provocative. This is in part due to her royal status.
“The 29-year-old’s reception vs that of some other celebrities underscores how branding and presentation impact public perception.”
Emily Ratajkowski
Emily, 33, is well-known for her bold approach to nudity and body positivity.
Joseph says: “She has built her brand around the idea that women should have the freedom to express their sexuality and body however they choose.
“Her nudity is often portrayed as a form of empowerment and self-expression, which aligns with her strong advocacy for women’s rights and body autonomy.
“This narrative has helped her maintain a ‘classy’ image despite frequently posing nude.”
Jodie Comer
The ‘Killing Eve’ actress, 31, has featured in several magazine shoots that have included nudity or provocative imagery.
Brenda says: “Her portrayal in these contexts is often framed within her acting career and in high-fashion settings, again contributing to a perception of classiness.
“Each of these women have built personal brands based on their talent or status in the public eye which frames their nudity in ways that align with their carefully crafted public images, helping them maintain a sense of class and elegance despite the revealing nature of their content.”
Kerry Katona
Kerry Katona’s decision to share revealing content on OnlyFans during the pandemic has attracted a completely different kind of attention.
Brenda says: “Kerry has faced criticism for her content on platforms like OnlyFans.
“Her public persona, which includes a history of personal struggles and tabloid scandals, influences the reception of her revealing content.
“Despite the platform’s growing normalisation of adult content, instead of admiration, her nudity has been labelled as ‘trashy’ and ‘desperate.’
“Despite Kerry’s efforts to reinvent herself, her history and public persona shape how people react to her content.
“OnlyFans is often viewed through a lens of sensationalism, so by joining the platform, it’s been interpreted as a bid for attention, using her body to make money rather than it being an empowered choice.”
Bianca Censori
Bianca, 29, is best known for her relationship with rapper Kanye West, 47, and also her provocative fashion choices.
Brenda says: “Bianca has been featured in the press in revealing outfits and photos that push boundaries of what may see as public decency, especially as there doesn’t appear to be a link between what she wears and her line of work.
“When Bianca was first linked with Kanye it was believed that the power couple might be releasing a clothing line based on Bianca’s outfits but this hasn’t yet materialised.
“Her poses in photos on her social media are often provocative rather than artistic and demure.”
Katie Price
Katie Price, 46, formerly known as Jordan, has frequently appeared in revealing photos and lingerie shoots throughout her career.
Brenda says: “Her content often involves sensationalist media coverage and personal controversies.
“Her image is often associated with scandals and a focus on her personal life, which frames her nudity as more sensationalist and less sophisticated.
“Katie’s career in the public eye has been marked by frequent media coverage of her personal struggles, relationships, and financial issues, which often overshadow her professional achievements.
“While her content is not necessarily more explicit than that of other celebrities, it is often perceived as trashy due to the context in which it appears.”
Chloe Ferry
Chloe Ferry, known for her appearance on ‘Geordie Shore,’ posts content linked to the reality TV culture, which is perceived by many to lack the sophistication that would otherwise elevate the perception of her nudity.
Brenda says: “Her public image is closely associated with the sensational aspects of reality TV culture, including dramatic personal stories and high-profile relationships.
“Her social media presence frequently features revealing photos and videos, reinforcing her public persona as a bold, attention-grabbing figure.”
Lauren Goodger
Lauren Goodger, from ‘The Only Way Is Essex,’ content is often associated with reality TV culture and sensationalism.
Brenda says: “Her brand includes a focus on her physical appearance, including her body shape and cosmetic enhancements.
“Her media presence often emphasises her looks and personal drama rather than high-fashion or artistic achievements.”
‘Straddling the line‘
Despite frequent displays of nudity, Kim Kardashian, 43, maintains a classy status because of her branding and the context of her nudity, according to Brenda who explains:
“Kim Kardashian initially gained fame through her status as a socialite and her family reality TV show ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians.’
“Over the years, she has strategically transformed her public image, focusing on entrepreneurship, fashion, and beauty.
“Her relationship with Kanye West and the connections made through him significantly improved her status in the fashion industry.
“Kim has cultivated a brand combining glamour, luxury, and self-empowerment.
“Her appearance in Vogue and GQ, framed were artistic and stylised rather than sensationalist.
“Her personal brand is associated with high fashion, beauty, and a curated lifestyle.
“Kim’s strategic use of Instagram allows her to control the narrative, framing her nudity as an expression of self-confidence and empowerment.”
Where is the fine line drawn?
By PR Director Brenda Gabriel, an expert in personal branding:
The secret to navigating the fine line between ‘classy’ and ‘trashy’ is down to how celebrities frame their nudity and their public image.
Rosie, Trinny, Jodie and Kim do it in a way that feels sophisticated and intentional, while others like Kerry, Bianca end up facing harsher judgments because their approach is less about high fashion and more about personal expression.
Frequency of nudity plays a role. Those seen as classy are rarely seen nude and when they are, there is the perception that there is still much left to the imagination.
With celebrities seen as trashy the nudity is often seen as frequent and putting ‘everything on display’.
Bianca Censori and Lady Amelia Windsor have faced similar scrutiny. Censori, famous for her relationship with Kanye West and her controversial fashion choices, has faced criticism for her nudity.
On the other hand, Lady Amelia Windsor’s topless Ibiza photos were deemed ‘classy’ due to her royal connections and sophisticated image.
Ultimately, it’s about how nudity is framed and perceived.
Celebrities who manage to align their nudity with a sophisticated or empowering narrative tend to escape negative judgements.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kardashian excel in this, using their platforms to craft images of elegance. Conversely, those like Katona and Censori, who use more direct or unconventional platforms are frequently judged by different standards.
Those who are seen as stepping outside of these carefully constructed images face considerably harsher criticism. How we view celebrity nudity is about more than the nudity. It’s about the story behind it, the platform it’s shared on, the image the star has crafted and societal expectations.
Our judgements are generally influenced by context, bias and the narratives we’ve constructed around the individuals involved.