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<\/p>\nMonica Bellucci admits she was happy to be sexually objectified during the early years of her career because it helped turn her into a global phenomenon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Italian star rose to prominence as a model with Dolce & Gabbana before transitioning to TV and film, with notable roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mel Gibson’s controversial religious epic The Passion Of The Crist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And Bellucci, 58, credits the objectification she experienced as a young model and actress for giving her a solid professional foothold.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She told Harper’s Bazaar Spain: ‘Being objectified didn’t bother me. When I felt that critical attitude towards me, I went along with it. Sometimes beauty creates masks.’\u00a0<\/p>\n
Referring to two early films in which Bellucci appears nude, she added: ‘And then I’ve also made the most of body in certain roles, haven’t I? Like in\u00a0Mal\u00e8na or Irreversible.’\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Opening up:\u00a0Monica Bellucci tells Harper’s Bazaar Spain she was happy to be objectified during the early years of her career because it turned her into a global phenomenon<\/p>\n
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Old times: The Italian star rose to prominence as a fashion model before embarking on a career as an actress in films such as 2000 thriller Under Suspicion (pictured)\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Italian star admits it was easy for onlookers highlight her sex appeal because she was an established model before embarking on a career as an actress.<\/p>\n
‘Of course they labelled me like that,’ she said. ‘The fact of coming from a fashion background, having worked with a lot of photographers before I started making films, created that image a bit.’\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bellucci also discussed her new romance with Tim Burton, just weeks after finally confirming their relationship.<\/p>\n
She said: ‘I found in Tim [Burton] a wonderful spirit. I met a spectacular soul.’<\/p>\n
Her romance with Burton comes ten years after her separation from Vincent Cassel, with whom she was married for 14 years. They share daughters Deva, 18, and Leoni, 13.<\/p>\n
Speaking about her personal life,\u00a0 she also described fame as a ‘double-edged sword’ and told how she tries to keep aspects of her life private.<\/p>\n
‘Fame is a double-edged sword, it causes a lot of curiosity and can also provoke conflicting feelings,’ she explained.<\/p>\n
‘When I am not working, I like to lead a normal life – I go shopping, I take my daughters to school.’<\/p>\n
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Previously: Bellucci says she made the most of her body in\u00a0 2000 romantic comedy\u00a0Mal\u00e8na (pictured), in which she appears nude\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Iconic: Another early film role came\u00a0in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, with Bellucci playing one of Dracula’s brides (pictured)\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Fashion first: Bellucci pictured in a 1991 fashion shoot – she worked as a model before embarking on her acting career\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bellucci finally confirmed her romance with American filmmaker Tim in June, after months of secretly dating.<\/p>\n
She professed her love for the offbeat director and told how she was glad that she met him during an an interview with Elle France.<\/p>\n
‘What I can say… I’m glad I met the man, first of all,’ she said. ‘It’s one of those encounters that rarely happens in life… I know the man, I love him, and now I’m going to meet the director, another adventure begins.’<\/p>\n
The model and actress has recently been shooting Beetlejuice 2 with Tim in London, and she reflected on the filmmaker’s vision for the much-anticipated sequel.<\/p>\n
‘I love Tim,’ she continued. ‘And I have great respect for Tim Burton… I love this dream world where the monsters are kind, like we can turn our darker aspects into something bright, forgiving. Tim Burton’s films talk about that a lot.’<\/p>\n
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Stroke a pose: Bellucci is pictured modelling for fashion designer Guy Laroche in 1993<\/p>\n