Cape Town - Kim Kardashian threatened to ‘break the internet’. She didn’t, but it was rocked. Paul Eksteen takes a look.
KIM KARDASHIAN
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian launched the era of the sex tape, a mainstream fascination with booty, and became the doyen of the Instagram selfie. Banking on the power of her posterior, she decided to “break the internet” with a nude shoot for Paper magazine that exposed what everyone had already seen but in far more explicit detail. The internet remains unbroken.
BOITY THULO
Actress and TV presenter Boity Thulo bared her behind for the Marie Claire Naked Issue this year and the internet went stir crazy. There were two other women in the shot, but no one remembers them. Thulo’s tail went on to dominate her appearance on the local version of Strictly Come Dancing, but provided little ass-istance when it came to public votes.
THE ORLANDO PIRATES TEAM
They had just won the Nedbank Cup and were clowning about with the trophy in the shower when someone snapped a pic. Boys will be boys, but the public didn’t seem ready for five naked Buccaneers and their physiotherapist, even if their cutlasses were tastefully hidden. A lively debate on social media ensued, with some fans questioning their allegiance to the team. Pirates of the fairer sex were not, however, complaining. One player offered an apology and the club promised to investigate the matter.
NICKI MINAJ
The booty that launched a thousand imitators, Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda album cover art certainly set tongues wagging. It featured Minaj on her haunches in a dental-floss-thin G-string. Cue a swathe of memes from admirers, including the forever twerking Miley Cyrus, and a major publicity boost for an album in an era where only Taylor Swift appears to be selling. Some said the cover was degrading to women.
PRINCE HARRY
The ginger prince had always had a reputation for wild partying, but Windsor noses were put way out of joint when Diana’s youngest son presented his bare bottom to the world at a raucous party in a Las Vegas hotel last year. Harry had reportedly lost a game of strip billiards, and one of the pictures showed him hugging an equally naked woman in a bid to protect his modesty. Queen Elizabeth was said to be disgusted by her grandson’s antics.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE
Oscar winner and Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence was already a celluloid sex symbol, but naked pictures of her online shot her profile through the stratosphere. Lawrence likened the hacking of her pictures to sexual assault. Millions sympathised, but few averted their eyes and despite the fact that a slew of celebrities also had their most private moments violated, Lawrence’s full frontal photos were the ones that dominated the discussion.
KELLY KHUMALO
Back in 2007, recording artist Kelly Khumalo claimed she was still a virgin, but the sceptics weren’t so sure. After all, the video for her hit song Qinisela seemed to suggest carnal knowledge. Perhaps this is why the Zulu Britney Spears took it upon herself to present the evidence, taking to the stage minus her panties in a performance that quickly went viral. The indecent exposure helped turn Kelly into a superstar, kickstarting a trend in which controversy, rather than talent, ensures she remains relevant.
KHANYI MBAU
The Queen of Bling was never shy about sharing the most intimate details of her life, happily accepting the golddigger tag and turning it into a successful career. Still, when highly explicit pics surfaced in 2011, social media sites were swamped with speculation on who took the pictures and whether Khanyi intended them for public consumption. The saucy snaps, featured Khanyi soaping up in a tub and then hanging her most sensitive areas out to dry.
JANET JACKSON
Millions tune in to catch the showpiece of the American football season and artists would trade their left arm to perform during the Superbowl half-time show. In 2004 Janet Jackson, instead, offered her right breast. After a rather risque duet, Justin Timberlake ripped away a panel from Jackson’s costume and thus the term “wardrobe malfunction” was born.
LEXI AND MANDLA
Big Brother Mzansi’s shower hour concept got the steamy treatment last year when housemates Lexi and Mandla took the term “deep cleaning” to another level. Pictures and videos quickly circulated of a decidedly agile sex session. Despite Lovers Plus condoms being one of the show’s official sponsors, the reckless abandon of the amorous pair saw spaza shop owner Mandla requesting morning-after pills from Big Brother. He went on to win the reality show – for his winning personality and obvious blessings in the manhood department.
Sunday Argus