Proud Jenna Dewan strips off for Women's Health – and talks about life after the Channing Tatum split

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Jenna Dewan - the American actress, mom, and dancer who started her career as a back-up dancer for Janet Jackson - appears naked in the September issue of Women’s Health magazine.

The 38-year-old revealed that when she was in pre-school her mom enrolled her in dance classes after noticing her imitating the moves in Jane Fonda’s Workout video.

"I’ve been a dancer my entire life, so I’m used to [wearing] little clothing, you lose a sense of modesty," Jenna says.

Aside from the cover, the all-around performer's entire editorial shoot within the pages of the print mag, shot by photographer Dennis Leupold, feature her posing completely naked in a house in the desert, reports E Online.

SEE THE COVER HERE:

The sassy photo shoot was important to Dewan, who has a five-year-old daughter.

"Apparently, when you become a mother, you're supposed to leave your sexuality at the door, and I never understood that," she said.

"I think there's nothing sexier than becoming a mother. You give life. It's everything. And you don't change who you are inside just because you have a kid."

Pre-empting criticism of her photo shoot from internet mom shamers, she added: "I want my daughter to see that and be like, 'Wow, my mother was a fully actualised, sensual woman."

She also opened up about dealing with her public split from Channing Tatum. They were married in 2009 and, four years later, had their daughter, Everly. In April, Jenna and Channing announced their split on Instagram.

They’re now trying to co-parent and are in a good place, reports Cosmopolitan.

"I think everyone wants to hold on to what’s in front of them, but when you open your mind saying, 'I want what’s best for me and my daughter,' you have to be okay with however that looks.

"I feel like I’ve been on a wave of growth. It does look different; it’s a new normal, and I really think we’ll get used to that.

"I did a lot of work healing from the inside out," Jenna continued, "[and] becoming more in touch with my womanly power. It was always, 'I’m a dancer,' or 'I’m married,' or 'I’m an actress.' Over the last couple of years, it became about learning about me."

Dewan has been criticised before by internet mom-shamers because of her "too sexy" behaviour.

The mom of one loves posting lingerie pictures, and while many admire her body positivity, some have commented that they’re "disappointed" by her revealing outfits. 

Jenna hopes her daughter will appreciate sexuality, which is one of the reasons why she defends her intimate images.

"I’m cautious not to always say, 'You’re beautiful,' or 'You look pretty.' I say those things, but I follow it up with, 'you’re smart, you’re strong, you’re opinionated.'"

"Women are so much stronger and more powerful, and living in our goddess energy when we come together to lift each other up rather than tear each other down," she added.