Belle de Jour revealed as Bristol research scientist
By For six years, she has been one of the most celebrated and mysterious authors, detailing her experiences as a high-class London call girl.
But now Belle de Jour has come out of the shadows to reveal herself as a Bristol research scientist working at the Initiative for Research of Child Health.
Belle de Jour: Dr Brooke Magnanti
Dr Brooke Magnanti has decided to reveal her identity after finding that anonymity was “no fun”. But the petite 34-year-old has no regrets, saying it feels “so much better on the other side”.
The respected specialist in developmental neurotoxicology and cancer epidemiology contacted the Sunday Times’ columnist India Knight – one of her fiercest critics – saying she wanted to reveal her identity.
Six years ago, in the final stages of her PhD thesis, Dr Magnanti ran out of money and turned to prostitution through a London escort agency, charging £300 an hour.
Already an experienced science blogger, she began writing about her experiences in a web diary that was adapted into books and a television drama starring Billie Piper.
Until last week, not even her agent knew her real name. A month ago she revealed her secret to her colleagues, who she said were “amazingly kind and supportive”. She was preparing to tell her parents this weekend.
Writing in her blog today, Dr Magnanti said it was time to bring Belle and the person who created her together at last.
“A perfect storm of feelings and circumstances drew me out of hiding,” she said. “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.”
Her future lies in medical science, but she also has a literary streak. She has been writing a novel, and the Belle blog will “continue for a bit — I’d like her to have happy ending”.
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