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Sexy Photo Scandals: A Celebrity's Best Nightmare

We see London, we see France, we see so much more than a star's underpants! Nothing brings on a bigger gasp than when news breaks that there's another celebrity caught in a nude photo scandal. As the initial shock wears off and the countless questions start rolling in (Why would any celebrity pose nude? How big is it? Are those real?), the situation becomes a celebrity's worst nightmare.

But at the same time, when a body part is inexplicably exposed for the world to see, it can be the biggest career boost a star doesn't need to hire a publicist for. (Other than for damage control, of course.) Here's why.

Scandalous Photos Change the Subject

It seems like every week there's a new celebrity photo scandal just waiting to jump out of the vaults. This week, Christina Aguilera fell victim as rumors started circulating that hundreds of raunchy photos of the singer, with celeb friends like Nicole Richie and boyfriend Matt Rutler, were found on a memory card at an upscale hotel Xtina stayed at in France.

Although the photos have yet to be revealed, this was exactly the kind of press Christina needed. She's had a less-than-stellar few months -- she botched the national anthem at the Super Bowl, fell on stage at the Grammys and got arrested for public intoxication. As a result, Christina was getting attention for everything but her amazing vocals. When knowledge of these photos surfaced, yes, it did bring more focus to her negative actions, but until the evidence is out there for the world to see, it's all hearsay. The proof is already in the pudding for her past wrongdoings, and it's time for the public to start talking about something new.

Chris Brown is also a great example of nude photos leaking at the perfect time. Ever since he got in a domestic dispute with Rihanna in February 2009, the only attention the press was giving him, whether it was good or bad, had to do with that fateful night. As Brown geared up to promote his new album 'F.A.M.E.,' the last thing he wanted to deal with was more questions about his situation with Rihanna. "It's pointless," he tweeted.

Coincidentally, just two weeks before his CD dropped, nude photos of him also dropped. Instantly, all attention was diverted from Rihanna -- the photos were the perfect distraction to get people talking about something else. (Well, that was until he smashed a window at 'Good Morning America'...)

Nude Pictures Help Shed an Innocent Image

The transition from sweet teen star to edgy adult star is not easy. (Just ask Mischa Barton.) But take it from celebs like Vanessa Hudgens -- the process becomes a lot quicker when nude photos of you are revealed. The 'High School Musical' star just had another set of photos leak -- the first set being in 2007 -- and it sealed the deal that she isn't the same sweet girl Zac Efron courted for five years. Hudgens has left the halls of East High and hasn't looked back.

The "Hey! Remember Me?!" Factor

You don't need to be an A-list celebrity for people to buzz about your leaked photos because let's face it, a scandal, no matter how big, is a scandal -- there will always be interest. Case in point? 'Twilight' star Ashley Greene. In August 2009, a year before she broke teenage hearts by dating Joe Jonas, full-frontal photos of her surfaced on the web. Suddenly, she went from "that girl from 'Twilight' with the short hair that's not Kristen Stewart" to "'Twilight' star Ashley Greene."

Same goes for model Amber Rose. Before her birthday suit photos surfaced online, Amber was solely known as Kanye West's arm candy. Now, people actually know her name -- and what her badonkadonk looks like.

If All Else Fails, Just Say "Oops"

Does the phrase "pulling a Paris" ring a bell? Posed private photos aren't the only kind of naked pics that will keep a star's name alive. Simply going commando, accidentally wearing a see-through shirt or donning a low-cut dress that has potential for a nip slip are sure-fire ways to get people chatting. One false step out of a limo or a quick breeze, and a star's fun night out turns into next day's headlines. Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus have all had "oops" moments that were splashed all over the news.

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