A few months ago I did a photo shoot for Playboy. My issue hits stands on Friday and being the “oversharer” that Gawker so affectionately deems me, I thought I’d tell you a little about my decision to pose for the magazine (you know, in case you find yourself in a similar situation down the road…hey, you never know;-).
I’ve spent the last 2 years trying to be known as anything other than a prostitute. You might find this shocking, but it’s kind of hard to live down. When the news originally broke in 2008, someone suggested Playboy to me and I just couldn’t do it. I guess I thought it would make things worse for me. That was until the photos started to surface.
You might remember the newspapers being covered with my nearly naked body for what seemed like eternity. (Advice: don’t send naked pictures of yourself to people you hardly know via cell phone. Scratch that, don’t send them to anyone. Never ends well!) I was being sold out by nearly everyone I knew. Those stupid little cell phone pictures were everywhere, blown up and plastered on the front page. The less I was wearing, the more they were worth. Why? Because sex sells. A former friend or acquaintance would sell pictures of me to anyone who’d buy. Then the newspaper would use my scandalous photo to generate more sales. Everyone was buying and selling sex. They were buying and selling me. And all I could do is bang my head against the wall.
It seemed really hypocritical to me. They used a woman’s nudity, her sexuality, to make money for themselves, but didn’t hesitate to call her a whore. And the entire time they benefited from my mistakes. It just doesn’t seem right.
The truth is, I have never been ashamed of my sexuality. It’s who I am, for better or worse. You can pick a name and call me it, that’s fine. I sincerely regret my former profession. That goes without saying. But posing for Playboy gave me the opportunity to regain a sense of control. These aren’t photos I texted to someone. They’re not stupid mistakes I made years ago. These photos are done beautifully. I’m very happy with them and I am happy and honored to be a part of the Playboy family.
Being exposed and having the world know my secret profession eliminated a lot of opportunities for me. I can’t exactly become a third grade teacher – which was something that I always wanted to do if music didn’t work out. While closing some doors it has opened others. I may have never started Stiletto Suicide with Andi and it’s something we both find so fulfilling. I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to have my own advice column every Sunday in the NY Post. I am trying to make the most of my situation. I’m trying to build an honest life for myself.
I would love to see Stiletto Suicide and my advice column for the NY Post grow into a true career for me. So many people have reached out to me and I feel honored to give them advice, be it on sex or how to know when their children might be going through some trouble. At 25 I have the opportunity to tell young women what I’ve gone through and encourage them to make healthy decisions. I want them to learn from my mistakes. What I say will have an effect on their lives and I understand how important that is. While I take what I say seriously – I’m having so much fun in the process and I love writing it.
Yes, the scandal catapulted me in front of the world – but it’s my brain and what I have to say that will allow me to succeed and not let my mistakes define me.
To those of you with opens minds, I hope you enjoy the magazine. To those of you with issues, well, all I can say is that what’s right for some isn’t always right for all. We’re all made differently. It keeps things interesting.
The May issue of Playboy magazine hits newsstands on Friday, April 16. Pick up a copy or check out additional photos online at www.playboy.com/dupre
Playboy May Issue 2010
15 Comments
Nicely written Ashley.
I’m a big fan of yours and I think you’re a very interesting girl. Best of luck with your writing and music.
I don’t think you should regret your former profession for a second,as you’ve wound up with so much exposure that since you’re talented and intelligent you can use to your advantage!
I have no problem with your former profession, and I have no problem with you doing Playboy.
I do have a problem with you lying and minimizing your past. These: http://static.thehollywoodgossip.com/images/gallery/ashley-dupre-nude-photos.jpg
are not cell phone photos that some friend sold. You were a wannabe model, looking to get famous, etc, and you sold naked photos of yourself. No different than Playboy, just a lot less money. Own your past – don’t deny it.
Enjoy the fact that your “sordid” history is now giving you the opportunity to earn a living by being a personality rather than having to do anything of substance.
Just don’t get caught up with thinking you are better than anyone else. You will always be famous because you were Spitzer’s prostitute – if you remember this, you will stay humble and will go places.
Very well done, Ashley. I would imagine that explanation is far from one many folks probably assumed was the reason you decided to do Playboy.
It’s also great that you are willing to share what you’ve learned from your experiences with others rather than trying to ignore or forget your past.
Can’t wait to see your pictures.
I truly wish you joy, happiness, and good health
Best of luck to you with the website and the weekly column in the post
You are simply a GOOD person.
Period!
You rocked it, girl! You look GORGEOUS!
I’m surprised how much your writing has changed my opinion of you. You are right, you’re a human, a young woman and you made a series of mistakes which lead to your undoing in the ny press. I honestly feel sorry for thinking badly of you. I think you are a talented writer and you have the strength to move forward and become a success in spite of what you have experienced and not because of it.
Good Luck!
I’m watching your interview on LX New York and I am APPALLED with how they are treating you… ESPECIALLY the dude.
You held your head high and did very well… Hang in there
Ashley,
I used to look down on you for all of the drama that happened. Maybe “look down” is not the right verbage, let’s just say I didn’t understand. I saw this site on Perez Hilton and decided to take a look. Let me assure you, I am impressed. As a girl who once got so out of control I didn’t recognize myself, it’s nice to see someone (other than me!) overcoming life’s obstacles. I want to wish you luck with your endeavors. Soudns like you a have a great source of support in Andi. Best of luck to you both.
You look gorgeous in Playboy pictures. You’re doing a great job marketing your and turning a bad situation into a positive one.
I can’t wait to see how you develop this blog in the months to come.
You have a gift when it comes to writing and building an audience. Keep the fresh posts coming!
Kind regards,
Nicky Papers
WOW!!! Hot PB photos!!! Don’t let the haters get to you. Stay strong.
-BW
I would never wish death on anyone. However, I do wish you some sort of bodily harm. Just for you to be mamed perhaps.
You are a sociopath. You are a lot of what is wrong with this country; Vanity, Greed, Entitlement. Only in America can a girl with little common sense and below average intelligence become famous by being a whore. That is all you are, after all. You’re famous because you got caught being balled by the Governor, in exchange for cash. Whatever you achieve through the rest of your life can be attributed to the fact that you are a whore who got caught. Yes, you are attractive (with all that makeup), at least until you open your mouth. But you are in Playboy not because of your looks, but because you are a whore who got caught. You are on TV. Not because you have something interesting to say (lord knows you don’t), or because you’re doing some great, interesting thing, but because you’re a whore who got caught. Scandal sells.
Though I don’t know you personally, from all accounts I’d say you’re a completely unremarkable person who is desperate for some sort of attention or recognition. At heart you’re a Jersey Girl with big hopes and dreams, but know deep down that’s all they will ever be because you lack any type of uniqueness or character. Your music sucks. It’s completely average and unoriginal. You probably use a ton of auto-tune. You wanted to teach elementary school, but now you can’t because you were outed as a whore. Least you forget that regardless if you were outed or not, you would have still been a whore. That part wouldn’t change. Whores shouldn’t be teachers. I wouldn’t want someone who used to drop to their knees for money teaching my kids much of anything. The skills you could pass along are not appropriate for K-12 education. Now you want to mentor young girls?!?!? Where do you manage to hide balls that big? What could you possibly pass along to the youth of America? “Don’t be money hungry, gold digging whores with an over-inflated sense of self-importance, girls!”?
Seriously, you are the worst-of-the-worst, bottom feeding scum. You’ve gained some wealth and notariety for doing nothing at all. Instead of cutting your losses, you then milk it with a Sex Column (Whores are dissapointing. I’m pretty sure I could teach you a few things, and I’ve never been a whore), TV and print appearances, etc. And when someone has the audacity to bring up the fact that you’re a whore, you seem offended?!?! You even seem to try to subtely hint that you may be a victim in all of this?!?!?
Anyway, I hope you enjoy your 15 minutes (Aren’t they up yet?). When that bell does toll, please off yourself. You obviously have little true talent, and very little to offer this universe. You’re sucking up perfectly good oxygen that could be used by a balanced, strong, morally and emotionally adjusted, productive member of our society.
Have a pleasant day.
Awwww, sounds to me like somebody needs a hug!
Mark you are obviously a deranged man to come on here and write something like this. You came on here wishing her harm.
I got news for you Mark. She didn’t break anyone’s arm and force them to dial a number. They did that all by themselves.
Ashley is a strong, intelligent woman. She has learned a lot and she will continue to learn even more every day.
From what I can gather Mark you are an “unremarkable person who is desperate for some sort of attention or recognition.”
I hope Ashley makes millions just to bug the shit out of you even more.
What can we learn from you Mark? Oh wait that’s right we can all learn how to hate. That is the direction of your life. You are a hater.
PLAYBOY should of ran your layout pictures as PLAYBOY OF THE YEAR. You are one sexy lady.
Ashley, do not be ashamed or embarrassed, hold your head up high, the ones that put you down are probably full of envy and more than likely the biggest hypocrites. I was in the military for twenty two years, believe me I know what I’m talking about.
I hope the man you find appreciates and treats you with respect and makes all your wishes come true. I would definitely take you home to meet mom.
Keep writing,doing photos, and may the grass be always green under your feet, rainbows with a pot of gold at journeys end, and God cradle you gently and safely in the palms of his hands.
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