Why Sarah Jessica Parker refuses to do nude scenes

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Photo / Getty

Sarah Jessica Parker was reduced to tears when she was asked to appear naked in a scene.

The 52-year-old actress - who is now widely known for her refusal to shoot nude scenes - has recalled one of the turning points in her hugely successful career, when she stood up for herself by insisting she wouldn't take her clothes off for a movie.

The 'Sex and the City' actress - who starred as Carrie Bradshaw on the iconic HBO series - explained: "I don't know if I had confidence or if I was being counseled by people. There was so much pressure for me to take my clothes off."

Actress Kim Cattrall, actress Kristin Davis, actress Sarah Jessica Parker and actress Cynthia Nixon attend the Screening of the Season Three Premiere of Sex in the City. Photo / Getty

Sarah said that in light of the Hollywood sex scandal, she feels incredibly appreciative towards her agent Kevin Huvane, who intervened in the uncomfortable situation.

Sarah told People magazine: "My agent sent a car and a plane ticket [to the film set] and he said, 'If anybody makes you do anything that you're not comfortable doing, you don't.'

"Given what's happening now and the stories told from that particular period, I know how lucky I am that there was someone - in this case, a man - who stepped in."

Sarah - who has eight-year-old twin daughters Tabitha and Loretta, and son James Wilkie, 15, with her husband Matthew Broderick - also revealed she recently "ran into a woman who worked on that movie" who recalled her sobbing.

Matthew Broderick and wife Sarah Jessica Parker pose backstage. Photo / Getty

She shared: "They were like, 'Sarah Jessica's going to be nude tomorrow,' and I was like 'I'm not going to be nude.'"

Despite taking this stance, Sarah is still supportive of those women who feel comfortable taking their clothes off on screen.

She explained: "I think it's great when women feel comfortable doing it, and that's their choice."