'Call Girl' reveals her secret
Billie Piper played Belle de Jour in Showtime's "Secret Diary of a Call Girl." Showtime photo
Actress Billie Piper and the creators of "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" don't have to keep the secret any longer.
A 34-year-old British scientist this weekend outed herself as the author of the best-selling book about being a prostitute. Dr. Brooke Magnanti, who works for The Bristol Initiative for Research of Child Health, told The Sunday Times that she worked as a high-priced call girl, calling herself "Belle de Jour," while finishing the thesis for her doctorate in 2003-04.
She wrote what became a popular blog during that time, eventually turning it into the book, "The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl." The books were adapted into the TV series "Secret Diary of a Call Girl," starring Billie Piper of "Doctor Who" fame as Belle. Showtime has aired two seasons of the series. In past interviews, Piper talked about meeting the real Belle, but never revealed that it was Magnanti.
Magnanti, who lives in Bristol, told The Sunday Times that she revealed her past because a former boyfriend threatened to out her. According to AFP, a spokesman for her employer, the University of Bristol, has defended her.
"She's employed by the university but we've got nothing to add regarding the matter," the spokesman said. "She's a researcher. She's just a member of staff here and what happened in the past doesn't really bear relevance to what she's doing now."
Magnanti told The Times that she was paid $500 an hour for her companionship, and that she worked for an escort agency for 14 months in 2003.
On Sunday, she wrote a message on the Belle blog, saying:
"So a perfect storm of feelings and circumstances drew me out of hiding. And do you know what? It feels so much better on this side. Not to have to tell lies, hide things from the people I care about. To be able to defend what my experience of sex work is like to all the sceptics and doubters.
"Anonymity had a purpose then--it will always have a reason to exist, for writers whose work is too damaging or too controversial to put their names on. But for me, it became important to acknowledge that aspect of my life and my personality to the world at large.
"I am a woman. I lived in London. I was a call girl.
"The people, the places, the actions and feelings are as true now as they were then, and I stand behind every word with pride. Thank you for reading and following my adventures."
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