For many women, Emily Ratajowski presents something of a conundrum. The 25-year-old model and actress is a prominent advocate for women’s reproductive rights, campaigning in support of Planned Parenthood in the US, and has spoken and written extensively about the importance of female sexual empowerment – giving Piers Morgan a much-needed dressing-down in the process.

But some feel uncomfortable about allowing Ratajowski the feminist badge she has publicly claimed. Particularly problematic, for some feminists, is Ratajowski’s modelling career: it was, of course, her (naked) appearance in the video for Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines that propelled her to fame. Several writers have questioned whether one can oppose the objectification of women while simultaneously profiting from one’s sexuality.

Now, in a new essay for Glamour, Ratajowski addresses the suggestion that women cannot be both sexual and political – and highlights the double standard that exists when we accuse women of “attention-seeking”.

The Gone Girl actress says that she was “criticised in a very specific way” after speaking at an event for US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in February. Her critics, she says, dismissed her “for seeking attention.”

Emily Ratajowski: why does the “attention whore” label only apply to women?