Fashion

Adriana Lima Explained Why She Will No Longer Pose Naked In A Candid Instagram Post

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A longtime Victoria's Secret supermodel is taking a stand in the name of body positivity. Adriana Lima will no longer pose naked, according to a post on her personal Instagram. In the empowering statement, the iconic model simply says, "I will not take off my clothes anymore for a [sic] empty cause."

Lima has spent much of her career strutting her stuff on runways in lingerie as a VS Angel. She explained her decision in the caption of her Instagram post, saying she was approached to do a sexy shoot after having a conversation with a friend who was unhappy with her body. Lima realized that she scrutinized herself for how she looks as part of her job, too — and felt some ownership for helping to perpetuate beauty standards.

"I thought that's not a way of living and beyond that.... that's not physically and mentally healthy, so I decided to make that change," she writes.

It's not clear what causes Lima will deem unworthy of modeling for, or if she will no longer walk for Victoria's Secret. Bustle reached out to Victoria's Secret and Lima's reps for additional comment.

In the image in the post, which was a text note, Lima wrote she hopes to stand beside all women who feel societal pressures to look a certain way.

Below is the full text of Lima's caption, as written, where she seemingly acknowledges how her views of modeling have become more critical.

"I had received a call for the possibility of filming a sexy video of me to be posted and shared in social media. Even though I have done many of this type, something had changed in me, when a friend approached me to share that she was unhappy with her body, then it made me think.... that everyday in my life, I wake up thinking, how do I look? Was I going to be accepted in my job?"

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Lima furthered, "And in that moment I realized that majority of woman probably wake up every morning trying to fit in a stereotype that society/socialmedia/fashion etc imposed.... I thought that's not a way of living and beyond that that’s not physically and mentally healthy, so I decided to make that change..... I will not take of my clothes anymore for a empty cause..... #Embraceyouself #natureisbeautiful #naturalissexy #LOVEYOU."

The internet certainly has a lot of opinions about Lima's statements. Some users were posting their appreciation and support the model and her statement.

This user praised Lima for her progressive views and history of activism.

Many assumed Lima's announcement meant the end of her Victoria's Secret career. Lima, however, has not confirmed if her work as a VS Angel is over

Others, however, were a little more skeptical, wondering if this was as a veiled announcement that she would be hanging up her long-worn VS Angel Wings, and not really meaningful activism.

No matter the reason for the announcement, it is incredible to see one of the world's top supermodels take such a strong stand. Call it a sign of the times.