Ulrika Jonsson insists she is proud of her sexy lads' mag photoshoots and denies they were 'misogynistic and objectifying' as she says she 'felt completely in control'
Ulrika Jonsson has declared that she is proud of her lads' mag photoshoots from her younger years, defending them against criticism that they were sexist.
The TV personality, 56, appeared on the covers of a slew of the biggest magazines, such as FHM, Loaded, Nuts and Zoo - known for their scantily clad female celebrity cover stars - back in their heyday in the 90s.
But the popularity of the controversial publications soon waned, as they drew backlash for objectifying young women for the purpose of male gratification, and circulation dropped rapidly, causing the majority to shutdown.
But Ulrika has now insisted that she 'loved' doing the sexy photoshoots and claimed that she and her fellow cover stars 'did it almost as a right of passage'.
Writing in The Sun, she said that looking back on the covers gives her 'a sense of pride and fun and, moreover, control.'
Ulrika Jonsson has declared that she is proud of her lads' mag photoshoots from her younger years, defending them against criticism that they were sexist
The TV personality, 56, appeared on the covers of a slew of the biggest magazines, such as FHM, Loaded, Nuts and Zoo - known for their scantily clad female celebrity cover stars - back in their heyday in the 90s (pictured on Loaded)
But Ulrika has now insisted that she 'loved' doing the sexy photoshoots and claimed that she and her fellow cover stars 'did it almost as a right of passage' (pictured in 1996)
She said that the shoots were like jobs, but that instead of getting paid they got coverage, calling it a 'win win'.
Ulrika added that she had always had 'reputable photographers' that never made her feel uncomfortable.
She wrote: ''I loved it because I felt completely in control, I didn’t feel compromised in any way. I was able to express a different version of myself. It was fun, cheeky, titillating.'
In response to those who criticised the covers as 'misogynistic and objectifying' and 'purely for the gratification of men', Ulrika said that she disagreed.
She insisted: 'Why can’t us women enjoy feeling sexy or raunchy in between the drudgery of domesticity, kids and society’s relentless insistence on us to behave?
'I look back at those pictures with a sense of pride and awe and wonder whether I would have the same courage today.'
She added that the only thing 'ground my gears' about the era was that they were referred to as 'ladettes'.
Ulrika fumed: 'We were enjoying ourselves and proving that women are capable of having morals, opinions and wanting sexual equality at the same time as pulling sultry poses in revealing clothes and exuding sexiness.'
Writing in The Sun , she said that looking back on the covers gives her 'a sense of pride and fun and, moreover, control'
Emily Atack also appeared on a number of lads' mag covers in her younger years, and said that she 'enjoyed' them, because they gave her the opportunity to 'celebrate her beauty and youth'.
Having posed for the likes of Loaded and FHM in the past, the actress, 34, said that despite 'not seeing it as a sexual thing', she also admitted some men 'ruined' the experience for her later.
Last year she said: 'I enjoyed them. You know, I was quite young and, but I look back and I go f***ing hell I look amazing in those pictures.
'And I was young and slim and pretty and I enjoyed being all those things and I didn't see it as a sexual thing.
'I was just really enjoying the moment of being in films and working with all these great photographers and wearing these lovely clothes and celebrating my body and my youth. And I think that's fine.'
Discussing backlash she received at the time, Emily continued: 'It's the stuff that happens because of that it's the people that can't control their sexually aggressive thoughts that ruin it later.
'You know, that's not my fault. I can't do anything about that. If you're sitting there and can't control your thoughts as a man, you know?
'That's not my fault. I can't, I'm not doing it for that. I'm not doing it so that you can say all those nasty, abusive, sexually aggressive things to me.
Emily Atack also appeared on a number of lads' mag covers in her younger years, and said that she 'enjoyed' them, because they gave her the opportunity to 'celebrate her beauty and youth'
Having posed for the likes of Loaded and FHM in the past, the actress, 34, said that despite 'not seeing it as a sexual thing', she also admitted some men 'ruined' the experience for her later
Denise Van Outen also graced the covers of several men's magazines, including FHM in 1997 and Esquire in 1998 (pictured in 1995)
In 2021, the TV presenter, 50, told The Sun that she has 'no regrets' about posing on the front of men's magazines and that she even keeps them in a box in her attic
'I'm genuinely doing that because I'm comfortable and happy doing it. And I feel good in myself. This is for me.'
Denise Van Outen also graced the covers of several men's magazines, including FHM in 1997 and Esquire in 1998.
In 2021, the TV presenter, 50, told The Sun that she has 'no regrets' about posing on the front of men's magazines and that she even keeps them in a box in her attic.
She said: 'I have no regrets about the shoots. They were fun. It was very fashionable at the time and I enjoyed all of it. I never felt uncomfortable.'
Rachel Stevens has also displayed some of her covers in her home after appearing in several publications and even being hailed FHM's sexiest woman of all time in 2014.
The S Club star admitted: 'I’m super proud of my lads’ mags shoots. They were so fun. The first cover I shot in 2000 was really exciting.
'I was 22 and the band were so used to being all kiddy, sweet and nice. It was an opportunity to be a bit more grown up, to be more womanly and sexy.'
Rachel Stevens has also displayed some of her covers in her home after appearing in several publications and even being hailed FHM's sexiest woman of all time in 2014 (pictured in 2002)
Louise Redknapp was also a favourite on the lads' mag circuit, having graced the cover of Loaded, FHM and GQ (pictured in 1996)
Louise Redknapp was also a favourite on the lads' mag circuit, having graced the cover of Loaded, FHM and GQ.
The singer was particularly popular with the readers of FHM, with a place in the magazine's famous 100 Sexiest Women poll every year it ran from 1996 to 2017.
She said she remains proud of her lads' mag era but admitted that she's sometimes 'embarrassed' about that period in her career.
She told Women's Health: 'Some women may say it was sexist, but I would say it just really celebrated women. I admit though, I used to get a bit embarrassed and think, 'Oh no, that wasn't just what I was about'.'
