9 Female Icons That Redefined Sexuality Forever (3 of 5)

Madonna

Madonna really shook things up when it came to gender expectations. Her projects, like Erotica and Justify My Love, put female desire and control right in the spotlight. Remember her 1984 MTV VMAs performance of “Like a Virgin”? The wedding dress, cross necklace, “Boy Toy” belt, and the highly provocative performance came together to create one of the most talked-about moments in entertainment history. Madonna believed the meaning of the song could change depending on who was listening and wasn’t afraid of keeping things vague. Through her work, the music icon really pushed for sexual autonomy and LGBTQ+ visibility in mainstream culture, all while calling out the double standards that often judge women for getting older and owning their desires.

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson was known for her tight red one-piece swimsuit, luscious blonde hair, and gorgeous face during her Baywatch era. Her looks were debated as much as her acting, but nonetheless, networks reportedly prioritized episodes featuring her, as they used the so-called “Pamela Clause.” But that amount of sexualization also impacted how she was treated professionally. In 1995, the infamous “intimate recordings” of her and Tommy Lee were leaked, which made people ridicule her instead of showing support. Much later, around 2022, Anderson voiced discomfort with being locked into the sex-symbol role and shifted her public image, including appearing makeup-free at events and launching a pickles line to support a wildlife center. What a champ!