Florence Pugh says 'people are scared' of her 'cute nipples' after sheer dress backlash

Florence Pugh just wants to unapologetically have fun with her fashion choices.

The "Oppenheimer" actress has made waves by donning revealing clothes at fashion shows and red carpet events prompting Pugh to defend herself following online backlash. In an interview for Elle UK, which was published Tuesday, Pugh explained to fellow British actress Jodie Turner-Smith why she's chosen to wear looks like the sheer, hot pink tulle Valentino dress from last summer.

"When everything went down with the Valentino pink dress a year ago, my nipples were on display through a piece of fabric, and it really wound people up. It's the freedom that people are scared of; the fact I'm comfortable and happy. Keeping women down by commenting on their bodies has worked for a very long time," she said in the interview that took place before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

But Pugh believes the tides are turning, and people care less about others' commentary on their bodies.

"Unfortunately, we've become so terrified of the human body that we can't even look at my two little cute nipples behind fabric in a way that isn't sexual. We need to keep reminding everybody that there is more than one reason for women's bodies (to exist)," Pugh said.

As someone who "always" had an interest in loud, outrageous and colorful clothing, Pugh describes herself as wanting "to be bold and make a bit of a scene." And experimenting with fashion has helped her become more confident in recent years, including red carpet events.

"The more you can enjoy it, the more (people) can see that you're enjoying it," she said of the clothes she wears.

She added, "When I wore the (sheer) dresses, every woman I walked past would say, 'You look like you're having so much fun.' And I was!"

Florence Pugh isn't 'trying to hid the cellulite on my thigh' with her fashion choices

Pugh told Turner-Smith in response to a question about embracing our bodies, "I speak the way I do about my body because I'm not trying to hide the cellulite on my thigh or the squidge in between my arm and my boob: I would much rather lay it all out. I think the scariest thing for me are the instances where people have been upset that I've shown 'too much' of myself."

In her Instagram post last year addressing the controversy over her hot pink dress, Pugh wrote, "What's been interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a woman's body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see."

"Thankfully, I've come to terms with the intricacies of my body that make me, me," her caption read. "I'm happy with all of the 'flaws' that I couldn't bear to look at when I was 14."

"It isn't the first time and certainly won't be the last time a woman will hear what's wrong with her body by a crowd of strangers, what's worrying is just how vulgar some of you men can be," Pugh explained. "So many of you wanted to aggressively let me know…how I should be embarrassed by being so 'flat chested.' I've lived in my body for a long time. I'm fully aware of my breast size and am not scared of it."

Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY

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