Some would say Joanna Krupa's career straddles the fine line of physical exploitation and sexual empowerment, depending on the stage of her career and who you're asking. Before she was on Dancing with the Stars, the Polish stunner was known as the swimsuit model. Well, the commercial swimsuit model anyway, because who can top the SI Swimsuit Models? Anyway, before she was the commercial swimsuit model, she made rent by performing in softcore porn, but it was really, very soft-- she tickled co-stars in a tickle fetish film. Around the same time, Krupa posed for her first Playboy cover, without the world even so much as batting an eyelash. But this was all prior to being injected into mainstream media via her moves on DWTS, and now that she's chosen to pose for the December 2009 issue of Playboy, there are many eyelashes batting -- and many of them belong to feminists. But it's all good because Krupa believes that having pride in your body, and bearing the confidence to go bare, is the feminist's way.

Feminists seem to be divided on the exact definition of what feminism truly is. In one side of the ring people box for equality, dismissing the exploitation of feminine beauty in commercial platforms like beauty ads, nudie mags, and lingerie ads. In the other corner, usually wearing short-shorts and a bikini top, is the opponent who says embracing the female physique and using your beauty as currency to your advantage is the correct way to be a feminist. Though some felt her Playboy cover was "degrading," Krupa has been poised and outspoken on her decision. I have to say, Krupa makes a beautiful argument.

I think they suffer from lack of knowledge and tunnel vision. How many of those self-important, so-called "feminists" have been on the set when a celebrity shot a Playboy spread? There you go. What is feminist about discriminating a photo shoot just because it involves female (partial) nudity that happens to give men pleasure? Pathetic.

Krupa has taken her mainstream network following and fans into consideration, explaining to TVGuide:

I would hope it wouldn't change their views on me because it doesn't change who I am as a person. I also think Playboy helps build your name, just like how the show helps you build your name. They open doors. I'm a huge animal activist and I try to do good with whatever opportunities I have. ... I owe a lot of my success to Playboy, so why go against it? I'm very proud of it.

I say it's the feminist's way to not pick one single side, but to pick and choose separate ideals based on your own personal belief set. Not cool with a guy holding the door open for you, but think Victoria's Secret is awesome? Like strong women in dated roles but would never wear a skirt? It's your own feminist world. Because after all, it's a woman's right to choose.